Tennis Basics: A Beginner’s Guide to the Game

What is Tennis?

Tennis is a racket sport played between two players (singles) or four players (doubles) on a rectangular court with a net in the center. The objective of the game is to hit the ball over the net into your opponent’s court, while preventing them from doing the same.

Equipment Needed

• Tennis racket: A tennis racket is an essential piece of equipment for playing tennis. It consists of a handle, a head, and strings.
• Tennis balls: Tennis balls are made of rubber or felt and come in different colors (red for junior players and yellow for adults).
• Comfortable clothing and shoes: Players should wear comfortable clothing and shoes that allow for ease of movement on the court.

Basic Rules

Scoring System

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The scoring system in tennis is unique. A match is divided into sets, with each set consisting of multiple games. A game is won by the player who first wins four points, unless the score is tied at 40-40, in which case the game continues until one player leads by two points.

• 15: represents one point
• 30: represents two points
• 40: represents three points

Serving and Receiving

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A tennis match starts with a serve. The server stands behind the baseline (the line at the back of the court) and serves the ball into the opponent’s court. The receiver, on the other hand, stands in their own court and tries to return the serve.

Types of Serves

• First serve: A serve that lands in the opponent’s court.
• Second serve: A serve that does not land in the opponent’s court.

Let and Fault

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A ball is considered a “let” if it hits the net but still lands in the opponent’s court. This results in a replay of the point. If the server fails to hit the ball into the opponent’s court, it is called a “fault”.

Basic Strokes

Forehand and Backhand

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A forehand is a shot where the racket face is on the same side as the dominant hand. A backhand, on the other hand, is a shot where the racket face is on the opposite side of the dominant hand.

• Forehand grip: Hold the racket with your dominant hand and place your non-dominant hand on the handle for support.
• Backhand grip: Hold the racket with your dominant hand and place your non-dominant hand on the bottom of the handle for support.

Serve

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A serve is a shot that hits the ball over the net into the opponent’s court. There are two types of serves: first serve and second serve.

Basic Positions

Player Positions

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The player who serves stands behind the baseline, while their opponent stands in their own court. The server tries to hit the ball into the opponent’s court, while the receiver tries to return it.

• Baseline: The line at the back of the court.
• Service box: The area marked by two lines on either side of the center mark.

Practice and Tips

Practice Drills

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To improve your tennis skills, practice drills such as:

• Forehand and backhand shots
• Serve and receive
• Volleys (hitting the ball in the air)

Tips for Beginners

• Keep your head still while hitting the ball.
• Use your legs to generate power for your shots.
• Practice regularly to improve your skills.

By following these basic rules, practicing drills, and using proper techniques, you will be well on your way to becoming a tennis player. Happy playing!