Tennis is a sport played between two players (singles) or four players (doubles), where the objective is to score points by hitting the ball over the net into the opponent’s court. The aim is to win more sets than the opponent.
Court Layout
Tennis is played on a rectangular court divided by a net.
The court features service boxes and baselines, with markings specific to singles and doubles play.
Gameplay Basics
Starting Play: A point begins with a serve, which must be hit diagonally into the opponent’s service box.
Rallying: Players alternate hitting the ball over the net, and it must land within the court boundaries after one bounce.
Serving: Players alternate serves each game. A fault occurs if the serve is invalid; two faults in a row lose the point.
Winning a Point: A point ends when the ball is hit out, fails to clear the net, or bounces twice before being returned.
Scoring: Points progress as 15–30–40–game. A player needs at least four points and a two-point lead to win a game.
Sets and Matches: Six games usually win a set. Matches are best of three or five sets.
Tiebreaks: At 6–6 in a set, a tiebreak is played. Players alternate serves and must win by two points.
Winning: The player or team that wins the required number of sets wins the match.
Tennis blends athleticism, strategy, and endurance, whether played on clay, grass, or hard courts.