Tennis’ goal is to win enough games (games) and sets (sets) in a match to claim victory, with every point initiated by a serve.
Players may question line calls, but must abide by them. Each set offers three challenges; during tiebreaks there are an additional one or two challenges allowed; ultimately the Marker’s decisions are final.
Rules of the Game
Tennis is an exciting, fast-paced game with multiple points at stake. To score one, a player must successfully return an opponent’s shot without hitting the ground or going out of bounds, without touching either net. They may also hit it back and forth across the net legally within the boundaries of their court.
Coin tosses determine which player serves first. Each player then alternates serving and receiving until one player wins two points, during which point all opposing team players must return their ball before losing it; and attempt to score as many points as possible.
If a player hits the ball out of bounds or into the net, they forfeit the point. Other ways of losing points include double faulting and letting: in this instance a player serves the ball either at or beyond their service box with their serve landing directly onto the net.
Before beginning to play tennis, there are a few rules you should understand before diving in. A standard-size court with enough bounciness for optimal bounce must also be present. Finally, understanding the scoring system – from regular point counting to deuce and advantage scoring systems – can only come through practice and experience.
Before beginning a match if you have any doubts regarding the rules of the game, always consult with your coach to obtain clarification and adjust any handicaps as necessary.
Court Layout
Understanding the dimensions and layout of a court is important – both as a player in a match, or simply watching skilled matches – whether that means following coach instructions or keeping score while watching broadcasts of games. Furthermore, understanding these details allows you to appreciate what makes sports such a wonderful spectacle!
Dimensions of a tennis court include its playing surface, fences and run-off space. Minimum requirements are designed for international competition but you can add more space as needed, such as benches or sitting areas. Furthermore, its run-off space can be adjusted so as to give players plenty of room without running into fences or backstops.
Each player or team’s sidelines consist of one and a half feet on either side, separated by the center service line. The area between singles and doubles sidelines, known as doubles alley, is known as deuce (right) and ad (left). A player serves into either box to initiate play.
The judge’s bench should ideally be located either in the center of the back wall or one of its corners, depending on the size of your courtroom. Elevation of this bench would ensure an uninterrupted view from anywhere within it of all proceedings within.
Building a tennis court requires taking into account both its ceiling height and baseline height. According to the International Tennis Federation, minimum ceiling height requirements should be nine feet above net line and five-and-a-half feet above baseline for optimal play without hitting ceiling/roof during gameplay.
Scoring
New tennis players are often baffled by its unfamiliar language and scoring system. Luckily, its basics are relatively straightforward. A point is scored when a player hits within bounds and two bounces on their opponent’s court – either by striking before their opponent does to score it (called winning) or by hitting it over the net and into their opponent’s side via an ace shot (known as an ace winner).
A game is won when the first player to score four points wins it. Winning six games earns you a set, or tiebreak sets by being two points ahead in points scored by your opponent in these six games.
Traditionally, when a game reaches 40-40 (known as deuce), advantage scoring kicks in. However, some tournaments now use no-advantage scoring instead, which removes the requirement that a player win by two points at deuce.
Though seemingly minor, even seemingly inconsequential differences can make an enormous impactful statement about your game and tactics. Thus it is vitally important that you understand the rules of tennis so as to adjust your handicap appropriately and play at your optimal performance level.
A server always announces the current score in a game, while players should switch court sides after every other point or at set start in order to ensure accurate scorekeeping and prevent players from becoming disoriented by numbering systems. When serving, players should shake hands with opponents as a sign of good sportsmanship.
Handicaps
Handicaps are designed to ensure all players have an equal opportunity to compete, by adjusting the handicap of each player based on results of previous matches and taking into account both acceptable scores and course playing history as well as conditions under which matches took place. Handicap adjustments occur on an ongoing basis – usually weekly – by having a marker adjust each player’s handicap according to these factors and display it in their scoring record.
To calculate a player’s handicap, a marker starts by selecting the three lowest Handicap Differentials (if they have more than 20 differentials, they select only 10). They then calculate an average of these lowest Handicap Differentials and multiply that figure by an excellence-rewarding factor known as the “bonus for excellence factor,” yielding their Handicap Index score.
If a player’s Handicap Index increases significantly after playing, their marker can apply a “cap” that limits how much it increases by no more than 5.0 strokes above their Low Handicap Index. Furthermore, soft caps may be applied based on performance to ensure their Handicap remains reflective of demonstrated ability post round; committee members in charge of competition should carefully monitor those capped to ensure it doesn’t become an abuse.
Ball Boys and Girls
At no other tournament is the role of ball boys and girls more prominent than at Wimbledon. Over the past five months, all 258 BBGs who will work the 18 courts at All England Club have undergone intensive training to blend seamlessly into its lawns, understand their roles as “centers,” located near the net and bases, perform with absolute precision (a ball must never bounce more than three inches off the ground or drift into play) and work quickly. These volunteers earn just under PS200 per fortnight of work and must pass a written test to demonstrate they understand every detail of tennis. Each wears an iconic Ralph Lauren tennis uniform they can keep after the tournament has ended; two and a half hours are dedicated each day in addition to sometimes 12-hour shifts spent waiting around hoping for a glimpse of eight-time champion Roger Federer himself!
Children at Big Bad Girls (BBG) are trained to communicate with and be discreet around chair umpires; not to distract players or fans during games; adjust their station according to match scores; retrieve balls that hit ceilings quickly and efficiently; know each player’s idiosyncrasies such as what actions should be taken if a player becomes superstitious; this information is listed on a piece of paper which hangs in their underground office so instructors can accommodate these specific player traits.
Some players take things too far, prompting an umpire’s displeasure. French player Elliot Benchetrit recently earned himself a warning by the Australian Open’s umpire for asking a female employee during a break to peel his banana for him.