OBJECT OF THE GAME

The game of tennis is played on a rectangular court with a net running across the center. The aim is to hit the ball over the net landing the ball within the margins of the court and in a way that results in your opponent being unable to return the ball. You win a point every time your opponent is unable to return the ball within the court.

PLAYERS & EQUIPMENT

A tennis match can be played by either one player on each side – a singles match – or two players on each side – a doubles match. The rectangular-shaped court has a baseline (at the back), service areas (two spaces just over the net in which a successful serve must land), and two tram lines down either side. A singles match will mean you use the inner side tram line and a doubles match will mean you use the outer tram line.

A court can be played on four main surfaces including grass, clay, hard surface, and carpet. Each tournament will choose one surface type and stick without throughout. All that is required in terms of equipment is a stringed racket each and a tennis ball.

SCORING

You need to score four points to win a game of tennis. The points are known as 15 (1 point), 30 (two points), 40 (three points), and the fourth would result in the winning point and the end of that game. If the scores went to 40-40 this would be known as deuce. When a game reaches deuce the player must then win by two clear points.

WINNING THE GAME

To win the game you must win a certain amount of sets (best of matches for AmuwoGames). Winning a set is simply the first player to reach 6 games but have to be clear by at least 2 games. If your opponent wins 5 games you must win the set 7-5. If the set goes to 6-6 then a tie break is played and it’s simply the first player to 7 points.

RULES OF TENNIS

• The game starts with a coin toss to determine which player must serve first and which side they want to serve from.
• The server must then serve each point from alternative sides on the base line. At no point must the server’s feet move in front of the baseline on the court prior to hitting their serve.
• If the server fails to get their first serve in they may take advantage of a second serve. If they again fail to get their second serve in then a double fault will be called and the point lost.
• If the server clips the net but the ball goes in the service area still then let is called and they get to take that serve again without penalty. If the ball hits the net and fails to go in the service area then out is called and they lose that serve.
• The receiver may stand where they wish upon receipt of the serve. If the ball is struck without the serve bouncing then the server will receive the point.
• Once a serve has been made the amount of shots between the players can be unlimited. The point is won by hitting the ball so the opponent fails to return it in the scoring areas.
• Points are awarded in scores of 15, 30 and 40. 15 represent 1 point, 30 = 2 and 40 = 3.
• You need 4 points to win a game. If a game lands on 40-40 it’s known as deuce. From deuce a player needs to win 2 consecutive points to win the game. After winning one point from deuce they player is on advantage. If the player wins the next point they win the game, if they lose it goes back to deuce.
• To win the set a player must win 6 games by 2 or more. The opening sets will go to a tie break if its ends up 6-6 where players play first to 7 points. The final set will not have a tie break and requires players to win by two games with no limits.
• If a player touches the net, distracts his opponent or impedes in anyway then they automatically lose the point.
• The ball can hit any part of the line for the point to be called in, outside the line and the ball is out.
• The balls in a tennis match are changed for new balls every 6 games
• A player loses a point if they fail to return the ball in either the correct areas on the court, hits the net and doesn’t go into opponent’s area or fails to return the ball before it bounces twice in their half

MATCHES PLAYED WITHOUT A CHAIR UMPIRE

GENERAL RULES

All players should be aware of the following basic principles when playing a match without a Chair Umpire:

1. If in doubt, the player must give the benefit of any doubt to his/her opponent, in particular regarding line calls.
2. Each player is responsible for all calls on his/her side of the net, however it should be noted that a Court Supervisor or Referee is permitted to reverse an incorrect line call. This reversal may be made by the official located within (whilst adjudicating) or outside the court enclosure. On the first occasion where this occurs the point will be replayed (regardless of whether it was a point winning shot or not) and for subsequent incorrect calls the player loses the point.
3. If in the opinion of the Court Supervisor or Referee an incorrect line call is a deliberately blatant action, the offending player will automatically lose the point and may receive a code violation for Unsportsmanlike conduct.
4. All “out” or “fault” calls should be made promptly after the ball has bounced and must be loud enough for the opponent to hear.
5. If a player incorrectly calls a ball “out” and then realizes that the ball was good, the point should be replayed, unless it was a point winning shot or unless that player made an incorrect “out” call earlier in the match. In these circumstances, the player who called “out” loses the point.
6. A service “Let” may be called by either player/team.
7. Foot faults may only be called by an official standing on court or by a chair umpire. Players may be requested to correct their foot faulting problem by a Referee or Court Supervisor, who will require the player to make an effort during the match to rectify the problem. The receiver may not call a foot fault against the server.
8. The receiver must play to the reasonable pace of the server. Both players must ensure they restrict their warm up time, and minimize time between points and at change of ends.
9. To avoid controversy over the score, the server should announce the game score before starting a game and the point score prior to serving for each point, and must be loud enough for his/her opponent to hear.
10. If players cannot agree on the score, they should calmly discuss the points/games that are disputed. All points or games which the players agree on stand and only those in dispute should be replayed i.e. two players cannot agree on whether the score is 40–30 or 30–40 and disagree only on who won the first point in the game. The game shall continue from 30–30, since both players agree that they have won two points each.
When the game score is in dispute the same principles applies i.e. two players cannot agree on 4–3 or 3–4, and disagree only on who won the second game. The match shall continue from 3-3, since both players agree that they won three games each. The player who received in the last game that was played will serve in the next game.
Where there is a score dispute, a player must make a reasonable effort to remember the actual score i.e. points/games played.
11. When a player has created an involuntary hindrance (ball falling out of pocket, hat falling off, etc.), the first time a “let” should be called and any similar hindrance thereafter will be ruled deliberate.
12. Any hindrance caused by a player that is ruled deliberate by the relevant official will result in the loss of a point.
13. Where a ball interrupts play, either by rolling/bouncing onto the court, and/or creating a visible interruption behind the court a let should be played. Either player can call a let in these circumstances provided they do so in a timely manner. Where this is between a 1st and 2nd serve, a second serve only should be played.
14. In a situation where a ball is lying on the court at the commencement of the point (1st or 2nd serve) it will be deemed to be part of the court during the rally. Movement of this ball during the rally does not constitute hindrance.
15. Players are entitled to request their opponent to remove the ball from the court prior to the commencement of the point.
16. When ball persons are not available, all balls on your side of the net are your responsibility to pick up and return directly to the server.
17. The receiver should not return the first service if it is an obvious fault – let it go by or ground it.
18. Either player is allowed to call a foul shot or “not up”, providing this occurs in a timely manner.
19. Players should only leave the court for a toilet break, or any other reason, with the permission of Referee or Court Supervisor.

MATCHES PLAYED WITHOUT A CHAIR UMPIRE:

1. If at the completion of a match, the players involved realize that the scoring format used was incorrect, the match result shall stand provided all players have left the court enclosure. If the mistake is realized before the players have left the enclosure, the correct scoring format should be used to finalize the match. If this is not possible (i.e. the match has progressed beyond the point where the correct scoring format can be implemented), then the score based on the incorrect format stands. (Refer to correcting errors in the Rules of Tennis).
2. Where a Code Violation second offence / Point Penalty is determined by the Referee or Court Supervisor this may be applied at any time during the specific game where the offence occurs. If the point penalty cannot be issued during the specific game a code violation second offence will still be issued. It should be noted that any code violation second offence between games is deemed to be part of the following game.
3. Screaming regularly and loudly, whether in relation to winning and/or losing a point is likely to cause interference to play on nearby courts and may be considered unsportsmanlike conduct.
4. Constant overt celebration directed at an opponent may be considered intimidation, and therefore unsportsmanlike conduct.
5. If a player is unhappy with his/her opponent’s actions or decisions, he/she should call the Referee or Court Supervisor immediately.

Matches Played on Clay Courts

For matches played on clay courts, there are some additional procedures that all players should follow:

1. A ball mark can only be checked on a point ending shot, or when play is stopped (a return is permitted, but then the player must immediately stop).
2. Players are prohibited from checking the mark of the ball on their opponent’s side of the court, unless invited by their opponent to do so.
3. If a player erases the mark, he/she is conceding the call.
4. If there is a disagreement over a ball mark, the Referee or Court Supervisor can be called to make a final decision. However, where a player is consistently making incorrect calls resulting in numerous ball mark inspections, a Code Violation may be applied.
5. If a player calls a ball “out”, he/she should, in normal circumstances, be able to show the correct mark.
6. If a player incorrectly calls a ball “out” and then realizes that the ball was good, the player who called “out” loses the point. Players who do not fairly follow these procedures could be subject to the Hindrance Rule and the Unsportsmanlike Conduct provision of the Code of Behaviour. Any questions on these procedures should be referred to the Referee.

Etiquette

1. Players are expected at all times to shake hands with their opponent(s) at the completion of a match.
2. Do not enlist the aid of spectators, including parents, coaches in making line calls, or attempting to determine the score or other on-court matters.
3. Wait until a point is over before walking behind a court where a match is in progress.
4. To retrieve a ball from another court or to return a ball to another court, wait until the players have completed a point.
5. Do not stall, sulk, complain or practice gamesmanship.
6. In doubles, when returning service, the partner of the receiver should generally call the service line for him/her. The receiver should generally call the centre and side service lines. The call needs to be loud enough to stop their opponents/partner playing.