Rules & Regulation of Tennis

After the turn of the 20th century, the need for a unified governing body for tennis prompted 12 countries to create the International Lawn Tennis Federation in 1913. By 1939, almost 60 countries had become members. The word "Lawn" was removed from the group's name in 1977.

  1. Playing Area

    • Tennis is played on a court that can be either grass, clay or cement. The court is 78 feet long and 36 feet wide, although the width includes the doubles alleys, which are 4-1/2-foot lanes on the outsides of the court and are used only in doubles. The net divides the court in half and is 3-1/2 feet high on the sides and 3 feet high in the center. On either side of the net are two boxes called service boxes. Each box is 21 long and 13-1/2 feet wide.

    Serving and Playing

    • Each point is started with a serve. The first serve in each game is taken from the right side of the court and hit crosscourt into the service box. After each point the server changes the side he serves from. The server has two attempts to get the ball in. If he misses both, the receiver wins the point. If the ball hits the net and lands in, it is called a "let" and is redone.

      Once the ball is in play, you must hit it back before it bounces more than once. You win a point when you hit the ball in and your opponent does not hit it before it bounces a second time, hits it out, hits it into the net or if he touches the net in the middle of the point.

    Keeping Score

    • To win a game you must win four points and be ahead by two. The first point is called as "15," the second "30," the third "40" and the last point "game." If you are tied at 40 to 40, the score is known as "deuce." The next player to win consecutive points wins the game. After each odd numbered game the players change ends.

      Each tennis match is made up of sets. A set is won by the first player to win six games and is ahead by two games. If the score is tied at six games each, a tiebreaker is played in which the first player to win seven points and be leading by two wins the set. The serve alternates after the odd-numbered points. Matches can be played best of three sets or best of five sets.