Tennis is a popular racket sport that is played with at
least two players. A racket sport refers to a type of sport that requires using
a racket to hit an object toward another player or team. In badminton, players
hit a shuttlecock using their badminton racket. In tennis, players hit a ball
using their tennis rackets. The two opposing players (singles) or pairs of
players (doubles) use tautly strung rackets to hit a ball of specified size, and
weight, and bounce over a net on a rectangular court.
Points are awarded to a player or team whenever the opponent fails to correctly return the ball within the prescribed dimensions of the court. Tennis originally was known as lawn tennis, and formally still is in Britain, because it was played on grass courts by Victorian gentlemen and ladies.
History Of Tennis
the officially recognized centennial of the game in 1973
commemorated its introduction by Major Walter Clopton Wingfield in 1873. He
published the first book of rules that year and took out a patent on his game
in 1874, although historians have concluded that similar games were played
earlier and that the first tennis club was established by the Englishman Harry
Gem and several associates in Leamington in 1872.
Tennis continued to gain popularity in England in the 1800s as championships were hosted. Soon, it reached the United States after a couple of players brought their rackets with them to New York. Today, tennis has become a popular sport that people of different races, genders, and ages play. Both professionals and hobbyists can play this sport.
As a competitive sport, there are plenty of competitions that offer players a chance to compete internationally, such as the Grand Slam tournaments, the Olympics, and the Paralympics. Its popularity doesn’t just come from competitive play. There are plenty of pop culture references that involve tennis.
Rule To Be Followed For Tennis
When it comes to competitive play, there are more specific
rules that players must be wary of. However, for beginners, these tennis rules
are a great place to start.
1. Attire For Tennis
Sportswear for tennis includes short-sleeved cotton shirts and tennis shorts. Women can opt to wear a sleeveless cotton top with a tennis skirt. For shoes, players are encouraged to wear tennis shoes. Tennis shoes are easy to run and jump in, especially on tennis courts. However, if you are a beginner and do not have tennis shoes, you can just wear any comfortable sports shoes.
Some tennis clubs can be strict when it comes to tennis
attire. They require players to wear sportswear specific to tennis. Otherwise,
they do not let people play on their court.
2. The Player Shouldn’t Cross The Net
Crossing the net to go to the opponent’s side is also not
allowed. This means players must always be aware of staying within their side
of the court as well as keeping an eye on the distance between them and the net
when hitting the ball. Touching the net with their hands or racket means a
penalty.
3. The Player Shouldn’t Catch The Ball In the Hand
tennis prohibits players from catching the ball. In tennis,
players cannot catch the ball with their hands or their racket. To keep the
ball in play, players must always hit the ball with their racket. Otherwise,
the player loses points.
4. The Player Shouldn’t Let Go Of The Racket
This rule is also kept in place to minimize violence between
players. For instance, some players might attack other players using their
rackets in a fit of rage. There could be a danger of rackets being thrown at
the opponent or the umpire. When this happens, the official can call for a
severe penalty, such as disqualification. Tennis players can think of their
racket as their lifeline during a game. Without it, they cannot play the game.
A ball must first bounce on your side once before you can
return it to the other side. Keep in mind that the ball can only bounce once.
If it bounces twice, your opponent gains the point. A common mistake for
beginners is hitting the ball too early. Some might hit the ball before it
completely crosses over the net. However, even if it bounces back to the
opponent’s side, this does not count.
6. Hit The Ball Just Once
You cannot hit the ball twice. After the ball bounces once
on your side of the court, you must hit it hard enough to cross the net over to
your opponent’s side. Hitting the ball two or more times results in a lost
point.
Equipment To Play Tennis
A tennis ball is white or yellow in colour for tournaments,
with measurements of 2-1/2 to 2-5/8 inches in diameter and weighing anywhere
from 2 to 2-1/16 ounces. The elasticity of the ball and the uniform outer
surface is also determined by approved specifications.
2. Racket
It is comprised of a handle, a frame, and strings that are
bound in a crisscross weaving pattern. A racquet’s frame should not exceed 32
inches in length, with a handle no longer than 12.5 inches in width, and a
surface no more than 15.5 inches in overall length or 11.5 inches in width.
There can also be no objects or devices on the racquet except for ones that
prevent vibration and wear and tear.
How Is Scoring In Tennis Done?
1. Points
The smallest unit of measurement. Points increment from Love(0)-15-30-40-game.
2. Games
Games consist of 4 points each and are won when a player reaches 4 points with at least a 2-point advantage.
3. Sets
A set consists of 6 games and is won by the
player/team who reaches 6 games first with at least a 2-point lead.
4. Advantage Set
If a game score of 6-6 is reached and
advantage set rules are used, a player/team can only win a set with a 2-game
lead.
5. Matches
A match is usually played as best of 3 or best of
5 sets.
6. Deuce
Occurs if a score of 40-40 is reached. To win the
game, a player/team must win 2 consecutive points to take the game. If a player
wins one point, they have an advantage, but if they lose the next point, the
score returns to a deuce.
7. Tie-break game
If a game score of 6-6 is reached and
tie-break set rules are used, players must play a tie-break game to decide who
wins the set. In a tie-break game, a player/team must reach 7 points with a two-point
advantage to win. For the serving format of a tie-break game, player 1 serves
for the first point, player 2 serves for the next two points, player 1 serves
for the next two points after that, etc.
How Is The Serving In Tennis Done?
A flip of the coin or spin of the racket, known as the toss, determines which player or team serves first. If called correctly, the player or team that did so chooses who serves first. The player/team who did not call it correctly decides which side of the court they want to play on first.
Rally
The rally consists of the exchange of shots after the serve is made until a player/team makes a mistake and loses the point. Any shot that is hit within bounds is considered good and allows the rally to continue. If you want to learn how to play tennis, you will need to know how to rally consistently.
Serving And Choosing Sides
- Proper Serve – A player serves on the right side of the court at the beginning of each game, to serve the ball into the diagonal service box. If the server lands in the correct service box, play can continue. The server switches to serving on the left side for the next point, and vice versa until the game is over.
- Second Service – The second attempt is known as the second service. Failing the second service results in the loss of the point.
- Let – A let is a re-do given to a player who serves although the ball hits the net cord before falling into the correct service box. You are allowed an infinite amount of lets, although it does not happen often.
Order Of Service – The player/team who wins the toss
serves first (the team that wins chooses which player serves). If playing
singles matches, players alternate between serving and receiving every game. If
playing doubles matches, teams alternate between serving and receiving every
game, with each player on a team getting the chance to serve before the cycle
repeats.
Switching Sides – Players/teams switch sides for every
odd-numbered game (so, games 3, 5, 7 etc.)
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