Tennis is a sport played on a rectangular court divided by a net between two players (singles) or two pairs of players (doubles). The goal of the game is to smash a small, hollow rubber ball back and forth across the net, making it difficult for the opponent to return the ball and eventually scoring points by hitting the ball out of bounds or forcing an error.
The History of Tennis
Tennis dates back to the 12th century in France, where it was played with the palm of the hand to hit the ball. It later evolved into a racket-based game, and by the 16th century, it was popular in England. Tennis was standardized in the nineteenth century and has since become one of the world’s most popular sports.
The Court
For singles matches, a tennis court is 78 feet (23.77 meters) long and 27 feet (8.23 meters) broad, while for doubles matches, it is 36 feet (10.97 meters) wide. The net is 3 feet (0.91 meters) high in the middle and 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 meters) high at the posts and is located in the center of the court.
Scoring
Tennis is scored using a point system, with each game consisting of a succession of points granted to the player who wins the point. To win a game, a player must score at least four points and win by a margin of two points. The scoring system is as follows: 0 points = “Love”, 1 point = “15”, 2 points = “30”, 3 points = “40”, and 4 points or more means “Game”.
Depending on the competition or level of play, a match is made up of three or five sets. The person who wins the most games in each set wins the set, and the one who wins the most sets wins the match. In the event of a tie, a tiebreak is used to determine the set winner.
Serves
Each point is started by a player serving the ball from behind the baseline on their own side of the court. The ball must be hit into the opposite side of the court and fall in the service box on the other side of the net. If the ball hits the net and lands in the correct service box, it is called a “let” and the server is given another chance. A “fault” occurs when the server fails to get the ball into the correct service box, and the server receives a second serve. If the second serve is likewise a fault, the player receives a “double fault” and the point is handed to the opponent.
Types of Surfaces:
Hard Courts: Hard courts are made of concrete or asphalt and are the most common surface for tennis. The ball bounces quickly and evenly on hard courts, making it a fast-paced game.
Grass Courts: Grass courts are rare and mostly used in the Wimbledon tournament. The ball bounces low and fast on grass courts, and players must adjust their strategy accordingly.
Clay Courts: Clay courts are made of crushed brick, shale, or stone, and are commonly used in Europe and South America. The ball bounces slower and higher on clay courts, making it a slower-paced game.
Carpet Courts: Carpet courts are made of synthetic materials and are primarily used for indoor play. The ball bounces quickly and unevenly on carpet courts, making it a challenging surface to play on.