by Mario Depeine Sr

Created on: May 16, 2008

Tennis is a lot of fun once you understand the rules and the scoring. Once you have an introduction to tennis terminology and the mechanics you'll be ready to play like the pros (in theory) and enjoy watching the game as well.

The scoring in tennis is a little unusual; the scores are all divisible by 5. The scores are 15, 30, 40 and then deuce (tied game) or advantage (one more score wins the game). Each player alternates serving the ball at the end of each game. The score of the player serving the ball for a given game is presented first, and then the score of the receiver follows.

In tennis you can play one on one or "singles." You can also play two on two, or "doubles." The tennis match is usually played as a best of 3, or 5 sets. The first player who wins 6 games wins a set. However, the player must win by at least two or more games (for example, 6 4 or 6 games to 4 games) to win the set, outright. In the event that the games go from 6 - 5 then are tied at 6 6, there will be a need to play a tie breaker or continue playing until the difference is 2 (for example, 8 6).

Consider an example; the scoring of game one of the first set between Andre Federer and Rafael (Rafa) Nadal. Federer wins the coin toss and gets to serve first. If he wins the first point, the score becomes 15, love or 15 to zero. If Federer loses the next point, the score will be 15 15 (or 15 all). The next scores can be 30 -15, then 30 - 30. If Federer wins the next score (score becomes 40 30) then he has the advantage or "advantage Federer." If Federer wins the point after 40 30, he wins the game and Nadal will get to serve the next game. However, if Federer had lost the point, the score would have been 40 40 or deuce (employed when at 40 or above). The scores can alternate between deuce and advantage until someone wins the game. When the score is "deuce," both players are on the right side (deuce court) of their respective courts. When the score is advantage, both players are on the left side (ad court).

The two rectangles closer to the net are especially important when serving the ball to your opponent. The inside boundary lines and the back lines are the boundaries for playing singles, while the outside lines (and the back) are the boundaries when playing doubles. As long as the ball hits the line or a portion of it, the ball is still in play.

Think of serving the ball as in volleyball, except you are using a racket and a much smaller ball. When serving, a player serves diagonally to the opposite end of the court to his/her opponent. Service starts in the deuce court. You get two attempts per serve. The objective is to hit the ball inside the small diagonal box but not between the two outside lines. An ace is achieved if your opponent completely misses the served ball. Each time the ball is hit outside it is called a fault or double fault (two missed attempts - the point is lost, switch to serve to other court). If the served ball hits the net and drops inside the appropriate box, this is called a "let" and the player gets another attempt.

Keep your concentration and have fun!

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