History of Tennis Rules

The rules of tennis haven't changed much since the game became popular in the 1890s. For the majority of the time, the idea has been to hit the ball over a net with a racket while making sure it stays in bounds and doesn't take more than one bounce.

  1. Popularity of Tennis

    • Tennis has hundreds upon thousands of recreational players across the world, and tournaments for professionals are held in a variety of countries.

    Staying the Same

    • Most of the guidelines for tennis have remained the same throughout history. Rules do not differ at the various levels, although they vary slightly between singles and doubles matches.

    It's OK to Jump

    • From 1908 to 1960, a tennis player needed to keep at least one foot on the ground when serving. That rule was amended in 1961.

    Breaking Ties

    • Before the early 1970s, a player had to win a set by two games. But the tiebreaker was introduced when a set was tied 6-6. The first player to reach seven points while winning by two wins the set.

    Technological Changes

    • Within the past decade, professional tennis has added a replay monitor that allows players to challenge an umpire's and linesmen's calls.