What Are the Basic Rules of Tennis?

Tennis captivates players and fans with its rhythmic rallies, explosive serves and delicate finesse at the net. Yet underneath the athleticism and drama lies a simple structure of rules that make the sport accessible to newcomers and maintain fair play at every level. This article breaks down the basic rules of tennis, guiding you through court dimensions, scoring, serving protocol and common questions that puzzle beginners. Whether you’re learning to keep score at your local club or following the next Grand Slam on television, understanding these fundamentals will deepen your appreciation for the game.

Court Dimensions and Layout

Tennis matches take place on a rectangular court divided by a net. The court’s size depends on whether you are playing singles or doubles:

• Singles court – 78 ft (23.77 m) long and 27 ft (8.23 m) wide. Each player occupies one half of this space, and the narrow sidelines are used for determining whether balls are in or out.
• Doubles court – the same length but 36 ft (10.97 m) wide. The additional corridors on each side of a singles court are called the “doubles alleys,” and they come into play only during doubles matches.
• The service line is 21 ft (6.4 m) from the net, creating two service boxes on each side where serves must land.
• The net stands 3 ft (0.91 m) high at the center and 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) at the posts.

These measurements are standardized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and ensure that players across the world compete on consistent courts. Knowing the boundaries will help you understand why certain shots are “out” and why line judges or electronic systems like Hawk-Eye play such an important role at major tournaments.

Serving and Starting a Point

How service works

Tennis points begin with a serve. One player serves an entire game, then the serve alternates to the other player for the next game. At the start of a match, players spin a racquet or flip a coin to decide who serves first and which end of the court they start on. Key serving rules include:

1. Two attempts – The server has two chances to deliver the ball into the diagonally opposite service box. If the first attempt lands outside the box or hits the net, it is called a fault. After two faults, the server loses the point.
2. Foot faults – The server must keep both feet behind the baseline until the ball is hit. Stepping on or inside the line before contact results in a foot fault, and the serve is treated as a fault.
3. Let serves – If the ball clips the net but still lands in the correct service box, it is a let and the serve is replayed. In professional tennis, let serves are replayed; some recreational leagues and college tennis have experimented with playing through lets.

After a legal serve, the point continues as long as players trade shots without violating rules described below.

Ball in play

During a rally, the ball may bounce once on each side of the net. If it bounces twice before being returned, the other player wins the point by default. Players may also strike the ball in the air (a volley) except when returning a serve; the return must bounce or else the server receives the point automatically. The ball is considered in if any part of it touches the court’s lines – even a hair’s breadth counts. If the ball lands completely outside, it is out and the opponent wins the point.

You are not allowed to touch the net or reach over to hit a ball before it has crossed to your side. Contacting the net with your body or racquet results in a loss of point, and intentionally reaching over the net to strike the ball is prohibited.

Scoring: Games, Sets and Matches

Tennis uses a scoring system that dates back centuries and can seem odd to newcomers. Points progress as follows:

• Love (0) → 15 → 30 → 40 → game. The first player to win four points wins the game, but they must lead by two points.
• At 40–40 the score is deuce. To win from deuce, a player must win two consecutive points: one to gain advantage, and another to secure the game.

Sets

A set is typically won when a player wins six games with a two-game advantage. If the score reaches 5–5, one player must win two consecutive games (7–5) to secure the set. In most tournaments, if the set score reaches 6–6, a tiebreak is played (see below). Men’s Grand Slams require best-of-five sets, whereas women’s Grand Slams and most professional tournaments use best-of-three.

Tiebreaks

When a set reaches 6–6, players contest a tiebreak to decide the set. The first player to seven points with a two-point margin wins the tiebreak. Serving alternates according to special tiebreak rules, and players change ends after every six points. We’ll cover tiebreaks more thoroughly in a separate article, but for now it’s important to know that tiebreaks exist to prevent endless sets. Some tournaments use “super tiebreaks” (first to 10) in deciding sets and doubles matches.

Matches

Matches consist of a predetermined number of sets – usually best-of-three or best-of-five. The player who wins the required number of sets first wins the match. Major events such as the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open use best-of-five sets for men and best-of-three sets for women.

Basic Conduct and Common Violations

Besides scoring, tennis has etiquette rules to ensure fairness:

1. Touching the net – It is illegal to touch the net or post with your racquet or body while a ball is in play. Even brushing it accidentally results in losing the point.
2. Crossing the net – A player may not reach over the net to strike the ball. However, if your racquet crosses the plane of the net after hitting the ball on your side (a natural follow-through), it is not a violation.
3. Disturbances – Any actions that deliberately distract your opponent, such as shouting or making noise during a point, can be penalized.
4. Double hits – Players must hit the ball cleanly. If the racquet makes contact twice in one swing, it is illegal unless it happens unintentionally in a single fluid motion.
5. Coaching – In most professional events, coaching during play is prohibited. Some tournaments allow limited coaching; always check local rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my serve hits the opponent before bouncing?

If your serve touches the receiver before bouncing, it is your point, provided the ball would have landed in the correct service box. If the serve was out, it is a fault. Note that serves may not be volleyed; a return must bounce first.

When do players change sides?

Players change ends after every odd-numbered game (e.g., after the first, third, fifth game) and at the end of a set. This balances sun, wind and other conditions.

Can I call a let on a ball that grazes the net during a rally?

No. Lets apply only to serves that touch the net and land in. During a rally, if the ball clips the net and continues over, play goes on; that is part of the game’s unpredictability.

How is the score announced?

The server announces the score before each point, stating their own score first. For example, if the server has 30 and the receiver has 15, the score is “30–15.” At deuce, either player may reach advantage, which is called “advantage server” or “advantage receiver.”

Conclusion

By learning the basic rules of tennis, you can enjoy watching and playing this captivating sport. Remember that the court’s dimensions shape strategy, the unique scoring system adds drama, and etiquette maintains fairness. As you practice serves, rallies and games, you’ll gain confidence and appreciate why tennis has enthralled players and fans for generations. Feel free to refer back to this guide whenever you’re unsure about a rule — before you know it, you’ll be keeping score and debating tiebreak strategies like a pro.