Understanding Tennis: Rules, Equipment, and Scoring

The Origins of Tennis

Tennis, as we know it today, was largely developed by Major Walter Clopton Wingfield in 1873, based on older racket games practiced by the Greeks and Romans. Wingfield introduced the first standardized rules for his game, which he called 'Sphairistike.' This early version established key elements, including the net and a scoring system where the first player to reach 15 points (or 'goals') while in possession of their service would win. Over time, organizations like the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have introduced changes, refining the rules, net height, and scoring, solidifying tennis as a major international sport.

Core Elements of Tennis

Court and Equipment

This dynamic sport can be played individually (singles) or in pairs (doubles). It is played on a rectangular court, divided across the middle by a net that separates the two sides. The primary objective is to hit the ball over the net into the opponent's court in such a way that they cannot return it legally, or if the ball bounces twice consecutively on their side. To play tennis, you primarily need a court, a net, a ball, and players. The standard court dimensions are 23.77 meters (78 feet) long by 8.23 meters (27 feet) wide for singles, and 10.97 meters (36 feet) wide for doubles. The court includes specific lines for singles and doubles play, with an alley (1.37 meters or 4.5 feet wide) on each side for doubles.

The net is positioned in the middle of the court, with its height at the center being 0.914 meters (3 feet). A tennis racket consists of a handle and a strung head. While there are no strict weight limits, rackets vary in weight, balance, and string tension to suit different player characteristics. Tennis balls come in two main types: pressurized and non-pressurized. Pressurized balls have internal air pressure, offering a livelier bounce, while non-pressurized balls are more durable and maintain their bounce longer due to their construction, often appearing larger for better visibility.

Player Roles

Players are positioned on opposite sides of the net. One player serves the ball to start a point, becoming the server, while the other player is the receiver.

Understanding Tennis Scoring

Winning a Point

A point is won if the ball bounces twice consecutively on the opponent's side of the court, or if the opposing player commits a fault (e.g., hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, or failing to return a legal shot).

Winning a Game

To win a game, a player must score at least four points and have a lead of at least two points over their opponent. Points are traditionally called out as:

• First point: 15
• Second point: 30
• Third point: 40
• Fourth point: Game

If both players reach 40 points, the score is called 'deuce.' From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to win the game: the first point after deuce is 'advantage,' and the next point wins the game.

Winning a Set

A player wins a set by being the first to win six games, with a lead of at least two games. If the score reaches 6-5, the player with 6 games must win the next game to win the set 7-5. If the score becomes 6-6, a tie-break is typically played. In a tie-break, points are counted numerically (1, 2, 3, etc.), and the first player to reach seven points with a two-point lead wins the tie-break and thus the set (e.g., 7-5 in the tie-break).

Winning a Match

The number of sets required to win a match varies by tournament. In most standard tournaments, a player wins the match by being the first to win two sets (best of three sets). In Grand Slam tournaments (e.g., Wimbledon, US Open), men's singles matches are typically best of five sets, meaning a player must win three sets to win the match.

Emergency Information

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Guidelines

For adults, the guideline is 15 compressions to 2 ventilations, at a rate of 80-100 compressions per minute. For children and babies, the ratio is 5 compressions to 1 breath.