Tennis looks simple enough, but if you're entirely new to it, some things can make it confusing. Every player has to start somewhere, and the basic rules are as good a place as any. Once you've learned how the court is laid out, how points are scored, and how a rally works, the game will be far easier to follow - and much more enjoyable to play. This guide explains the official rules of tennis in clear, beginner-friendly terms.
Key Takeaways
- How a tennis court is laid out and what equipment you need
- How points, games, sets, and matches work
- How serving, returning, and rallying operate in real play
- What counts as in or out, and how a point is won
- Common violations that players should avoid
- Special formats you may encounter in tournaments or club play
The Basics of Tennis
If you're completely new to tennis, the first thing you need to know is that tennis is played either:
- One vs one (singles), or
- Two vs two (doubles)
The objective is to hit the ball over the net and into your opponent’s court in a way they cannot legally return. Points are combined into games, games into sets, and sets into a match.
Court Layout and Equipment
Tennis is played on a standard court. This court is split in two by a net. Each half has lines indicating where the ball must land, with different lines applying to singles and doubles play. These lines indicate whether a shot is in or out, which affects scoring. Don't let the scoring system put you off, though, a tennis coach will keep you right.
Objective of the Game
In tennis, your goal is to hit the ball over the net and into your opponent's side of the court so that they cannot return it. Every shot your opponent cannot return scores you a point, provided it was a legal shot. Beginners should start by making consistent contact with the ball and keeping it within the lines.
Scoring System in Tennis
The trickiest part of tennis is how points are scored. This system doesn't seem obvious at first because it's based on a clock face, but instead of counting points in a 1, 2, 3 sequence, it uses its own unique scoring system. The scoring system originated in France, but you'll find tennis coaches from Sydney to New York using it, as tennis is a global sport.
| Term | Meaning / Point Value |
|---|---|
| Love | 0 points |
| 15 | 1 point |
| 30 | 2 points |
| 40 | 3 points |
| Deuce | 40–40 players must win by 2 |
| Advantage | One point ahead after deuce |
| Game | Winning the fourth point with a 2-point margin |
| Set | First to 6 games with a 2-game margin |
| Tiebreaker | Set-deciding game at 6–6 usually to 7 points win by 2 |
| Match | Best of 3 or best of 5 sets depending on format |
Points, Games, and Sets
Players in a tennis match earn individual points. These points determine who wins each game. Tennis goes love, 15, 30, and 40 for point totals. A player has to be ahead by two won points to win the game, which is why there are rules like deuce.
Deuce is the score at 40–40. From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to take the game. If the player with advantage loses the next point, the score returns to deuce.
The advantage is the one-point lead after deuce. If the player with advantage wins the next point, they win the game. If they lose it, the score goes back to deuce. The chair or players may call it "Advantage server" or "Advantage receiver."
Winning a Set and Match
A set is won by the first player who wins six games by a margin of two. If the score is 5-5 (each player/team having won 5 games), they continue until one reaches 7-5. However, if the score reaches 6-6, it's common for a tiebreaker to decide the set. Some tournaments use alternate rules.
Tiebreakers
The tiebreaker only occurs when the score is 6-6 in a set. Rather than the usual tennis scoring system, they count 1, 2, 3, etc. When one player reaches 7 points with a margin of two, they win. In tiebreakers, the serve alternates in a special pattern.
A tiebreaker decides a set tied at 6–6. Players race to 7 points and must win by 2. Serve alternates after the first point, then every two points, and players change ends every six points.
Serving Rules
Serving is a key part of tennis since every point starts with a serve, and while you can start playing tennis without learning to serve properly, it's something that you'll cover early in your lessons. There are specific rules for serving, and a legal serve is required to put the ball into play. Beginners will need to learn how to serve and understand how serving works so they know when a point starts, when a fault occurs, and how players alternate service during the game.
Serve Begins the Point
The Server Starts the Rally
Every point begins with a legal serve struck diagonally into the opposite service box. The server alternates sides (right, then left) for each serve within a game. A valid serve puts the ball into play and starts the rally.
Rally
Players Exchange Shots
Once the serve is returned, both players rally by hitting the ball back and forth over the net. The ball must bounce only once on each side unless it is volleyed. Players aim to force an error or hit an unreturnable shot.
Point Ends
Point Decided by Error or Winner
A point ends when the ball bounces twice, is hit into the net, lands out of bounds, or a player commits a violation. The winner of the point earns the next score step (15, 30, 40, game).
Starting a Game
Each tennis game starts with a player serving. This player continues to serve throughout the game, starting every point. The server has to stand behind the baseline and between the centre mark and the sideline. They cannot step on the line before hitting the ball, and the serve must travel diagonally into the service box.
A foot fault occurs when the server steps on or over the baseline before making contact with the ball. Even a toe touching the line during the serve results in a fault. Repeated foot faults can be penalised in officiated matches.
Let Serves
A let serve is when the ball touches the net during the serve but still lands in the correct service box. The point doesn't begin, and the server retakes their serve without a penalty. Let serves are common in tennis and reflect the game's overall fairness, ensuring that neither player has an unfair advantage due to an unpredictable deflection off the net.
In-Play Rules
When the ball is in play, both players follow a simple set of rules. The rules determine whether the ball is still active, when a point ends, and what actions are allowed. Understand these, and you can start playing tennis.
Singles vs Doubles Differences
Singles and doubles have basically the same rules, but the court and player positions change. Singles tennis uses a narrower configuration, whereas doubles involves more teamwork and strategic positioning at the net. The main difference is the "tramlines" used in singles and doubles tennis. In addition to all the other benefits of tennis, the fact that you can play with four people or two people makes it quite accessible.
Singles
- Only two players: one vs one
- Uses the inner sidelines (narrower court)
- Requires more movement, speed, and precision
- Serves must land in the standard diagonal service box
- No partner. Players must cover the entire court alone
- Strategies focus on baseline rallies, placement, and endurance
Doubles
Four players: two vs two
Uses the outer doubles sidelines (wider court)
Emphasises teamwork, positioning, and net play
Only the server’s partner may be positioned at the net
Serves and returns often lead to faster exchanges
Common tactics include poaching, forming walls, and strong net pressure
Ball in Play
In tennis, once a legal serve has been made, the ball is in play until a point is scored. Players can hit the ball before it bounces a second time on their side, either before or after it bounces once. The point continues until the ball lands out of the court or hits the net.
In tennis, any part of the ball that touches any part of the line is considered in. Shots landing fully outside all boundary lines are out. The net, posts, and singles sticks are not considered “in” unless the ball passes cleanly over the net and lands inside the lines.
Double Bounces
A double bounce is how every point ends. If the ball bounces twice on a particular player's side of the court without being legally returned, the opponent wins the point. Players in tennis take turns trying to hit the ball into their opponent's half of the court, so they can't do the same. The game is all about choosing the shots that will make returning the ball as difficult as possible for your opponent. Whether you're taking tennis lessons in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, or Brisbane, your coach can show you how to make smarter shot choices.
Net Play
The net is a key part of tennis. When players move forward to attack short balls or finish points, they may move closer to the net. They're allowed to swing their racquet over the net, but they're not allowed to touch the net. There are strict rules to ensure there's no interference from the other player.
You may legally reach over the net only if the ball has already bounced on your side and is spinning or moving back toward your opponent’s side. You cannot touch the net, interfere with the opponent, or hit the ball before it crosses into your side.
Common Violations and Penalties
In tennis, a violation occurs when a player performs an action that breaks the rules. This can include incorrect service, illegal contact with the net, or misconduct. Penalties make the game fair for all players.
Special Formats and Variations
Once you understand the basics of tennis, you can start looking at some of the nuances. Some tournaments and events use alternative scoring systems and match formats. These exist to speed up matches, create more exciting matches, or simplify competitions for different levels. Given that the cost of tennis can be a barrier for some, these formats help make the sport more accessible and economical.
Tie Break Tens
Tie Break Tens is a format in which players aim to reach 10 points first. This is a format common to exhibitions and social competitions. It's quicker than a traditional set.
No-Ad Scoring
No-ad scoring is when games are decided by a single point rather than using deuce. When players reach three points each, the game is decided by a single point. It's a higher-pressure version of the original format.
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