How Serving Works
Where the serve must land: You must swerve diagonally into the opponent's service box.
Serving position: Stand behind the baseline. Feet must not touch the baseline before contact, which is called a foot fault.
Number of serves: Each player has two attempts to serve the ball correctly for each point.
When serving switches: After each game, the other player becomes the server. In doubles, the other team becomes the server after each game, and teammates take turns serving through the game rotation.
Singles vs Doubles Rules
Singles: The outer sidelines are out. The inner singles sidelines mark the legal width of the court for singles matches.
Doubles: The outer sidelines are in. The doubles court is wider because the outside tramlines are included during doubles play.
Tennis Scoring With Deuce and Advantage
| Points / Situation |
Display |
Term / Meaning |
| 0 | 0 | Love |
| 1 | 15 | Fifteen |
| 2 | 30 | Thirty |
| 3 | 40 | Forty |
| 3-3 | 40-40 | Deuce |
| One player leads by 1 point after deuce | Ad-In / Ad-Out | Advantage |
| One player leads by 2 points after deuce | Game | Wins the game |
Parts of the Tennis Court
Baselines: The back lines at the far ends of the court. Players serve from behind these lines.
Singles Sidelines: The inner vertical lines running down the sides. Used only for singles matches.
Doubles Sidelines: The outermost vertical lines. Used only for doubles matches.
Service Line: The line between the forecourt and the backcourt.
Center Service Line: The line that runs from the net to the service line. Divides the service boxes into left and right.
Left and Right Service Boxes: The four small rectangular boxes nearest to the net. Serves must land here on the diagonal.
The Scoring System
Point Number: 0, Call: Love. Point Number: 1, Call: 15. Point Number: 2, Call: 30. Point Number: 3, Call: 40. Point Number: 4, Call: Game unless both players reach 40.
Deuce and Advantage: If both players reach 40 all, the score is called Deuce. From Deuce, winning one point gives Advantage, losing the next point returns the score to Deuce, and winning two points in a row wins the game.
Games, Sets, and Match: A set is usually first to 6 games, winning by 2. A match is commonly played as best-of-3 sets.
What Is a Let?
Serve hits the net but lands in the correct service box. No penalty is given. The server repeats the serve.
When Do Players Switch Sides?
Players change ends of the court after every odd-numbered game.