Tennis is a sport where a rubber hollow ball is hit with a racket through a net. Originating in England, it first gained popularity among the upper classes of English-speaking countries.
Today, tennis is played in singles and doubles and has become a widely enjoyed sport across all social classes and ages. The rules of the game have remained virtually unchanged since the 1920s, and the sport has gained significant attention with the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Section 1: Court Requirements
Tennis, traditionally viewed as an aristocratic sport, presents certain barriers to entry, including specific demands related to courts, attire, and equipment. This sport is renowned for its precise requirements, from the meticulous upkeep of the court to the quality of shoes and rackets used by players. However, tennis is transforming, becoming more accessible and standardized, which broadens its appeal beyond its elite roots. The condition of the playing surface and the caliber of the equipment not only influence the quality of play but also play a pivotal role in fostering interest and participation in the sport. As tennis evolves, efforts to make it more inclusive and standardized are crucial in attracting a wider audience and encouraging more people to engage with this dynamic and challenging sport.
Section 2: Court Types
Tennis courts are mainly divided into three types: hard ground, represented by the Australian Open and US Open; red clay of the French Open, and grass of Wimbledon. Different venues have the greatest impact on ball speed and player playing style. For example, the tennis ball has less friction with the ground, making the ball speed fastest on grass, followed by hard ground, and finally red clay.
Section 3: Scoring
The scoring system in tennis has four basic ways to score: the opponent returns the ball under the net, the opponent returns the ball out of bounds, the opponent hits the ball after it has bounced twice, and the opponent touches the ball twice to return the racket. Any one of these situations happens, and a player can earn a point.
Section 4: Serve Rules
Both sides take turns serving in a tennis match, with the serving and receiving sides switching roles in each game. For the serving side, there are specific rules. First, at the beginning of each set, players need to start on the right side of the court (zone one) and serve to a specific area on the other side of the court diagonally (serving area).
Second, players have two chances to serve the ball into the serving area, and if they miss both times, it is called a "double fault." Finally, players must stand outside the baseline before touching the ball and not step on or over the baseline.
Section 5: Winning the Match
To win a tennis match, a player must win a set, win a round, and win the match. In an inning, possible scores are 0, 15, 30, 40, and end, which is equivalent to 0, 1, 2, 3, and end. If a score is tied at 40:40, it becomes a tie (Deuce), and a player must score two more points to win the next game. A round consists of a set, and the first player to reach six games wins the round. Similarly, a player must be two games ahead in games to win the set. If the score is 6-6, a Tie-break will be required to determine the winner. In professional tournaments, the first player to win two sets or three sets wins the match.
Section 6: Other Rules
Pressing the line refers to any ball that lands on the correct side line of the area and is considered in-bounds. Netting refers to if the serve hits the net but lands in bounds, the ball is reserved. In all other cases, the ball is determined to be in bounds depending on where it lands after bouncing off the net.
Tennis is an exciting and competitive sport that has evolved. Understanding the rules of the game and the requirements for playing is more helpful for people to understand this sport.
