What are the Rules of Tennis? Basic Information

Tennis is a popular sport played on the court with a racket, where players compete to direct the ball. The main objective of this exciting game is to hit the ball to an area where the opponent cannot return it, i.e., hit it, and then try to get it to land on the ground. Tennis requires both physical endurance and strategic thinking, testing players’ quick decision-making and reflexes.

This sport, which appeals to people of all ages, has a large fan base worldwide. Tennis matches see players attempt to defeat their opponents using a variety of strokes, such as serves, volleys, and spikes. Played in two different formats: doubles and singles, the game encourages both one-on-one competition and teamwork.

The rules of tennis are based on players directing the ball to specific areas within the court and moving within specific boundaries. The rules ensure fair and competitive play while allowing players to showcase their creativity and talent.

Basic Tennis Rules

Tennis is a sport played between two players using a tennis racket . Opponents position themselves in two different positions: one for throwing the ball, the other for receiving it. The player who throws the ball opens the match with a shot from the right side of the center line.

The opposing player positions themselves diagonally, attempting to block the shot. The fundamental principle of tennis is to deliver the ball to the opposite court without touching the net, and to continue play. Failure to do so is considered a double fault and results in a loss of points.

The primary goal in tennis is to send the ball within the boundaries of the opponent’s court, either over or past the net. To reach the ball that lands in the opponent’s court, agility and tactical movement are crucial. Players alternate serving and receiving, and the match progresses in this manner.

Scoring is determined by the players’ ability to hit the ball in accordance with these fundamental principles. By using appropriate tactics and techniques, players can have an experience that is both enjoyable and challenging. The principles aim to help beginners learn the game and enjoy playing it more.

Service Rules

• The game begins with a player serving.
• The service is made based on the inner lines of the court, not the outer lines.
• When serving, the player must send the ball to the diagonal service box.
• The server has two tries. If the first serve is unsuccessful, they use the second. If both serves are incorrect (double fault), their opponent wins the point.

Ways to Earn Points

A player scores points when:

• The opponent cannot reach the ball and the ball bounces onto the court a second time.
• The opponent throws the ball out or into the net.
• The opponent hits the ball twice in a row.
• The ball touches the opponent’s body.

Change of Field

• Players change ends at regular intervals during each set.
• When the 1st, 3rd and subsequent odd-numbered games are completed, the players switch sides.
• If the total number of games at the end of the set is even, the court is changed after the first game after starting the new set.

Movement of the Ball in the Game

• If the ball bounces once and goes out of court, the player who kicked the ball is considered to have made a fault and the opponent scores the point.
• If the ball hits a fixed object around the court without bouncing on the ground, the point is scored on the other side.
• If the ball rebounds after passing into the opponent’s court and the kicker fails to touch it again, the point goes to the opponent.

Tennis Balls and Play Time

• Since tennis balls wear out over a period of playing time, they are replaced with new ones at regular intervals.
• Professional players typically play with new balls every few games.

Tennis: A Sport That Requires Endurance

Tennis isn’t just a fun sport; it also requires intense physical conditioning. Players train by honing their technique on the court and increasing their stamina in the gym. If you’re interested in tennis, you can improve your performance by practicing regularly and seeking professional support.

The Main Purpose of the Game

The aim of the game is to send the ball with the racket to the opponent’s court without it hitting the net and to prevent the opponent from returning the ball legally.

Field Layout and Equipment

• Court: The tennis court is designed with different dimensions for singles and doubles. The singles court is 23.77 meters long and 8.23 ​​meters wide. The doubles court is 10.97 meters wide.
• Net: The height of the net that divides the field in the middle is 0.91 meters in the center and 1.07 meters at the side poles.
• Racket and Ball: The racket size must comply with ITF (International Tennis Federation) rules. The ball used must have specific hardness and pressure values.

Game Start

• Before the match starts, a draw determines which player will serve.
• Players can choose their court and service order.

Scoring System

Tennis has its own unique scoring system:

• 0 points: “Love”
• 1st point: 15
• 2nd point: 30
• 3rd score: 40
• 4th point: The game is won (but the difference must be at least two points).
• Draw (40-40): Called “Deuce.” To win the game, it is necessary to score two consecutive points.

Set and Match Rules

• To win a set you need to win at least 6 games and the difference must be at least two games.
• Depending on the match format, best of 3 sets or best of 5 sets can be played.
• In case of a 6-6 tie, a “Tie-Break” may be applied.

Service Rules

• The serve must be delivered from the right or left corner of the court into the opponent’s service square.
• The server’s feet must not extend beyond the court, as per basic rules.
• If a serve fault occurs, a second serve is awarded. If both serves are faulty, it is a “double fault” and the point goes to the opponent.

Errors and Violations

• It is a fault if the ball hits the net or goes out of bounds.
• Foot fault: A situation where a player’s foot crosses the designated line during the service.
• A fault is considered when the racket touches the net or a player physically interferes with the court.

Athlete Conduct and Ethics

• Players must respect the referee’s decisions.
• Sportsmanship must be exercised towards the opponent and the spectators.
• Swearing, insults or intentionally disturbing an opponent may be grounds for disqualification.

Serving Order

A player must not serve before the other player is ready. If the receiver attempts to return the serve, they are considered ready. However, if the receiver clearly indicates they are not ready to serve and the ball does not land in the service court, they cannot call a fault.

Repeat Services and Points

In some cases, depending on the rules of the game, a serve or point may be replayed. The following situations require replays:

• Only if there is an error with the serve is the serve re-thrown.
• If the flow of the game is disrupted, the relevant point is repeated.

Case study:

• What happens if the service is interrupted for a reason not specified in the rules?
• Decision: In this case, not only the service but the entire point must be replayed.
• What should be done if the ball bursts during the game?
• Decision: The point is repeated and continued with a new ball.

Situations that require repeat service

Service must be repeated in the following cases:

• If the served ball lands legally on the court after hitting the net or the net,
• If the serve is made while the receiving player is not yet ready,
• When a service error is made, the previous error is not cancelled in such repeated services.

Service Order

Players serve in turn. If a player serves out of turn, the correct player must serve as soon as the error is noticed. However, any points played until the error is noticed will count.

Change of Field

Players change ends when:

• After the 1st, 3rd and every subsequent odd game in the set,
• After a set is completed, if the total number of games is even, after the first game of the new set. If a change of ends is accidentally missed, the players move to the correct ends as soon as it is noticed and continue in accordance with the rules.

Continuity of the Game

Once served, the ball is considered in play and play continues until a fault or replay is signaled.

Case study:

• Even though a player made a misplaced shot, play continued and the referee did not intervene. Can the player then claim the point?
• Decision: No. If players continue despite the error, they cannot claim points later.

Server Wins Points

The server wins the point when:

• If, after the service, the ball hits the receiver or his clothing or anything he is carrying,
• If the receiving player loses a point for a reason specified in the rules.

Receiving Player Earns Points

The receiving player scores a point if:

• If the server serves incorrectly twice in a row,
• If the server loses the point due to certain rules.

Point Loss Situations

A player loses points if:

• If the ball cannot be sent to the opponent’s court before it falls to the ground,
• If he sends the ball out of bounds or into a prohibited area,
• If he carries, catches or double-touches the ball with his racket during the game,
• If any physical contact occurs with the net, pole or opponent’s court during the game,
• If he jumps into his opponent’s court.

Case Studies:

• If the server’s racket slips from his hand and hits the net, is this a fault?
• Decision: Yes, the server loses the point as the ball is still in play.
• What happens if the racket hits the net after the ball goes out of play during the serve?
• Decision: This is simply a service fault as the ball went out of play.
• If a player jumps over the net into the opponent’s court during the game, is there a penalty?
• Decision: Yes, the player loses the point.
• What happens if the ball hits a player outside the court during the serve?
• Decision: The player who hits the ball loses the point.

Blocking the Opponent

• If a player prevents an opponent from hitting the ball, the point is lost if the action was intentional. However, if the action was unintentional, the point is replayed.
• Situation 1: Will a player who touches an opponent be penalized?
  Decision: No. However, the referee may decide to replay the point if he deems it necessary.
• Situation 2: What happens if an opponent obstructs a player attempting to hit a ball that has bounced over the net?
  Decision: The referee may award the point to the obstructed player or order a replay of the point.

Ball Landing on the Lines

• If the ball lands on the line, it is deemed to have landed in the area of ​​the field inside the line.

Ball Contact with Permanent Objects

• If the ball touches the net, post or any fixed object outside the court after hitting the ground, the point is void.
• Situation 1: If the ball hits the referee and the player bets that the ball will go in?
  Decision: The player loses the point.

Correct Return of the Ball

The ball is considered to be correctly returned in the following cases:

• If the ball touches the net, post or metal cable and falls into the opponent’s court.
• If the ball rebounds over the net after being served and the player legally hits the ball.
• Even if the player’s racket passes over the net, the ball is hit legally.
• If, during play, the ball hits another ball lying on the field and the player continues to play.

In-Game Scoring

• The points ranking is as follows: 15, 30, 40 and Game.
• A “tie” is called when both players score three points. In this case, if one player scores the next point, they gain the “advantage.” If they score the next point, they win; otherwise, the game is tied again.
• Winning a Set: A player who wins 6 games wins a set, but only if there is a difference of at least 2 games. If not, the set is extended.

Tie-Break Rules

• The tie-break system is applied in case of a 6-6 draw in the designated sets.
• The player who first reaches 7 points and leads his opponent by at least 2 points wins the tie-break and the set.
• Players change ends every six points.
• The first player to serve serves for one point only, then each player serves alternately for two points.

Number of Sets

• Men: Maximum of 5 sets are played.
• Women: Maximum of 3 sets.

Game Continuity

• The game continues uninterrupted from the first serve.
• If the first serve is a fault, the player must make the second serve without delay.
• The receiver must adapt to the server’s tempo and be ready for the game.

Field Change and Time Limitations

• Players can take a break of up to 1.5 minutes when changing ends.
• A maximum of 25 seconds can pass between two points.
• This period may be shorter in international competitions.

Game Interruptions and Referee Authority

• The referee decides on situations that prevent the continuity of the game.
• It is forbidden to postpone or pause the game to allow the player to recover his physical condition.
• However, in the event of an injury, the referee may grant a one-time three-minute break. This may be extended to five minutes in some international tournaments.

Mandatory Break and Rest Period

• After the third set (second set for women), players may rest for up to 10 minutes.
• This period can be 45 minutes between 15 degrees north and 15 degrees south parallels.
• If there is a long break from play, the rest period is applied only after the third set (the second set for women).

Player Hardware Issues

• If a player’s clothing, tennis shoes or other equipment (except a racket) becomes damaged, the referee may call a break for an appropriate period of time.

Tournament Rules and Referee Powers

• The referee may stop or postpone the game for any period of time he deems appropriate.
• Tournament committees may limit players’ pre-match warm-up time to a maximum of 5 minutes.
• Except for international tournaments, each country has the right to change the rules in its own tournaments.

Giving Instructions to Players

• In team competitions, players may receive instructions from their captains during field changes.
• Giving instructions during a tie-break is prohibited.
• Giving verbal or signal instructions to players during a match is strictly prohibited. Violating this rule will result in a warning, and if it persists, the player may be disqualified.

Penalty Practices

• In tournaments where the penalty scoring system is applied, the referee gives penalties in accordance with the rules.
• Players who disrupt the continuity of the game or do not comply with the rules may be disqualified after prior warning.

Ball Change Rules

• Once the designated number of games is completed, the balls are changed.
• If a change is not made in time, the error is corrected at the first suitable service and the game continues with new balls.
• Subsequent ball changes continue according to the established order.

Case Studies and Decisions

If a signal is given, will the player be warned or disqualified?

The referee must take the necessary action as soon as he or she notices the signal or verbal instruction. If he or she fails to notice, other players may alert the referee.

Can a player receive instructions when play is interrupted or when he leaves the field?

Yes, a player can receive instructions when play is stopped and he is not on the field.

These rules are designed to ensure orderly play and fairness in the game. Tournament organizers reserve the right to make changes to specific rules.