About Tennis Rules

Tennis is a tremendously popular recreational and spectator sport with a simple and uniform set of rules.

  1. The Basics

    • In singles, each player uses a strung racket to play the ball over a net that divides the court. The ball can bounce only once before a player returns it over the net.

    Scoring

    • To win a tennis game a player must win four points and by at least two more points than his opponent. Scores from zero to three points are called "love," "15," "30" and "40." Ties are described as "15-all" or "30-all." If each player has won three points, the score is announced as "deuce." If the server wins the next point, the score becomes "ad-in," or "advantage in." If the returning player wins the next point, the score becomes "ad-out." From deuce, a player must win two points in a row to claim the game.

    Lines

    • The lines on a tennis court mark the boundaries between in and out. If any part of the ball strikes the line, the shot is considered in.

    Doubles

    • The rules of doubles are identical to those of singles with the exception the alleys---the long rectangles that run along either side of the court---are in play.

    Rule Changes

    • The International Tennis Federation, founded in 1924, is in charge of all official rule changes.