The game of tennis can be enjoyed by young and old. It is called the sport of a life time.http://www.usta.com/ If you don't know the rules of tennis, don't let that stop you from playing! Anyone interested in learning more about how to play tennis can begin with the information and links below. Then find a racket and get cracking!

A few simple requirements need to be met in order to play the game of tennis.

1. A tennis courthttp://www.sportsknowhow.com/tennis/dimensions/tennis-court-dimensions.html
2. A tennis racket
3. Choosing a racket that fits your playing level is important. Different rackets are made with different strengths in mind, such as power or control. Consider racket width, weight and handling before you make your first purchase.http://www.instructables.com/id/SXJ01QEF2L4FTMJ/
4. Tennis balls
5. A pair of sturdy tennis shoes, with non-marking soles

The rectangular area, marked with lines, on which you play tennis is called the tennis court.

1. Tennis courts can be indoors or outdoors.http://www.usta.com/
2. Tennis court surfaces are made of a composite materials (these are called hard courts), clay and some are grass.

1. Each tennis court is physically divided in half by a net and divided further by several painted white lines.http://www.fuzilogik.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=368&Itemid=105
2. The long lines that span the each side of the tennis court are the singles sidelines and the doubles sidelines, and the space in between these lines forms the doubles alley.
3. A ball landing in either of those alleys is considered out of bounds in a singles match.
4. The horizontal line bisecting each of the court halves is called the service line.
5. The two rectangles between the service line and the net are service boxes.
6. The outer boundary lines of the court, running parallel to the service lines, are the baselines.

Tennis is played either as singles or doubles.

1. Singles Game: A single player competes with another single player.
2. Doubles Game: A team of two players faces off against another team of two.
3. The doubles alley outlined by the doubles sidelines is considered part of the court while playing, but not while playing singles.http://www.operationdoubles.com/eyework_tennis_basics.htm doubles
4. Canadian Doubles: If three tennis players are practicing or without a fourth player, they might play a version of tennis known as Canadian Doubles.http://www.ehow.com/how_4480523_play-canadian-doubles-tennis.html In Canadian doubles:
   • A single player competes against a team of two.
   • The single player is allowed to hit the ball into the doubles alley on the other side of the court.
   • The doubles players must keep the ball out of the doubles alley when they hit it back over to the single player's side.

• The rules below are for singles tennis, but doubles rules are very similar.OperationDoubles.com: Learn How to Play Tennis

1. Each match of tennis consists of several sets.
2. Typical matches consist of winning two out of three sets. In certain Grand Slam and other tour tennis events, men's draws play three out of five sets.
3. To win a set:
4. A player must win six games.
5. The winning player must win the set by at least two games. For example, if the score is 6 games to 4 games, the leading player has won the set, but if the score is 6 games to 5 games, the players must continue playing until someone wins by two games.

• The player who wins a coin toss or other chance competition prior to the match http://tennis.about.com/cs/beginners/a/beginnerscore.htm

1. To serve the first game or to not serve the first game. (OR)
2. To be on a particular side of the court.

• To begin each point, a player serves.

1. The first serve of each game must always be launched from the right, or deuce, side of the server's court.
2. If the serve is in, the players continue to hit the ball back and forth until one player wins the point.
3. The players may move inside or outside the boundaries of the court at will, but they may not touch the net.

• A serve begins each point in a game of tennis.

1. A player must stand behind the baseline when serving]. http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-serve-the-basics How to Serve: The Basics]
2. His or her foot cannot touch or pass over the baseline until after the racket makes contact with the ball.
3. The same player serves every point in a game and serves from alternate sides of the court with each point.

• A serve can be called in, out or a let.http://www.usta.com/

1. In: To be in, the ball must go over the net and land within or on the boundary lines of the service box diagonally opposite the serving player.
   • If the ball is in, the point continues.
2. Out: A ball that is out lands outside of the opposite service box.
3. Let: A let is called when the ball first hits the net and then lands inside the service box (or otherwise 'in'). In the case of a let, the player gets to serve again.

1. If a player's first serve lands out of bounds on any point, the player is allowed to take a second serve.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/rules_and_equipment/4222758.stm Serving Rules
2. If the second serve also lands out, that is called a double-fault, and the player loses the point.

The Serve: The below video reviews the basics of the service motion, racket grip and tips to help players develop a smooth coordinated service motion. The service motion is similar to a throwing motion. Remaining balanced is key.

• There are several ways to win a point.

1. If the ball bounces more than once on one player's side, that player loses the point.
2. If a player fails to return a ball over the net, that's also a lost point.
3. If a player hits the ball over the net but it lands out of bounds, that player loses the point.
4. If a player hits a winner by placing the ball in a location that is un-returnable by the opponent, the player wins the point

• Each player must win at least four points in order to win a game.

1. Scoring of a game of tennis progresses from love (zero) to 15, then 30, then 40, then the game is won. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/rules_and_equipment/4223472.stm
2. If players are tied (for example, if the score is 15-15), the score is announced as "15-all."
3. A score tied at 40-40 is known as deuce. To win a game that stands at deuce, a player must win two points in a row. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/rules_and_equipment/4223472.stm
   1. If the server wins the deuce point, the score is announced as "advantage in" or "ad-in" for short because the serving player has the advantage.
   2. If the serving player loses the deuce point, the score is "advantage out" or "ad-out," where the opposing player has the advantage.
   3. If the serving player wins an "ad-out" point, the score goes back to deuce.
4. If players tie at 6 games to 6 in a set, they may play a tiebreaker to determine who wins the set.http://www.mpa.cc/ten_bk.html#10
5. A tiebreaker is played to seven points and must be won by at least two.

• There are several different shots in tennis, called strokes.

• The forehand is one of two groundstrokes, that are normally hit from the baseline or the back of the court.

1. When hitting a forehand, (for a right hand dominant player) the player turns to the right and hits the ball with the right hand gripping the racket and the left foot stepping forward. http://www.instructables.com/id/SZJ7U8SF2FRVCQT/

The below video reviews the basics of the forehand groundstroke. A tennis professional shows how to find the correct grip, position on the court and how to make the shot. A few common errors are reviewed.

• The backhand is the other widely used groundstroke shot.

1. To hit a backhand, a player turns to the left (if they are right hand dominant), steps forward with the right foot, and grips and swings the racket with both hands or only the left hand.http://www.instructables.com/id/SDWKGHSF2FRVCR4/

1. Volley: If a player is standing in the service boxes or near the net, the ball may not bounce before the player hits the return shot. That stroke is called a volley.
   • The volley may be either a forehand or a backhand and may be hit from anywhere on the court (but is usually hit at the net).[http://www.instructables.com/id/S2CQVG3F2FRVCS3/
2. Lob: This shot is usually a slow shot that is hit high above the net and beyond the service line.http://www.expertvillage.com/video/33637_tips-tennis-ten.htm
3. Overhead: This shot is the powerful response shot to a lob. The player focuses on the ball, lets the racket drop down, then brings it up quickly and hits the ball with a quick snapping of the wrist (in a service motion). http://tennis.about.com/od/volleyoverheadothershots/ss/overheadsbs.htm
4. Advanced Strokes: In more advanced tennis, shots such as the drop shot and the half volley may be used.http://www.operationdoubles.com/drop_shot_tennis_instruction.htm

1. As a beginning tennis player, it's helpful to play with an opponent who is already familiar with the rules of tennis and who has some previous experience with the sport. Even as you grow more advanced with your game and skills, it helps you improve as a player to play against others who are at a higher skill level.

2. Tennis is a mental game almost as much as it is a physical game. Staying positive during a match and keeping focused can have a huge influence on the way points turn out.United States Tennis Association: Player to Player: Staying Positive

3. If you'd like to improve your tennis game, watch big tournaments on TV or in person. There are four Grand Slam tournaments every year: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open. Study the best players and notice how they move, where they place their shots, the motion of their rackets and how they hit the ball.

4. Practice as often as you can, especially when you're still learning how to play. You'll get better much faster if you play often and practice many different types of strokes.

5. Make sure to stretch before and after you play tennis to warm up your muscles and minimize your risk of injury.

• Introduction
• Equipment
• The Court
• Singles vs. Doubles
• Serving
• Basic Rules
• Strokes
• Tips and Advice
• References

The content of this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.