Tennis rules for beginners

Scoring: points, games, sets

• Points: 0 is called love, then 15, 30, 40, then the game. The server's score is called first.
• Deuce: at 40-40 a player needs two points in a row: the first is advantage, the second wins the game. Lose the next point after advantage and it is deuce again.
• Set: the first to 6 games, at least 2 ahead (6-4, 7-5). At 6-6 a tie-break is played: points counted 1, 2, 3, first to 7 with a 2-point lead.
• Match: best of three sets, or best of five in men's Grand Slam singles.

The court

Singles uses the inner side lines; doubles uses the outer ones. The lines are part of the court: a ball touching the line is in.

How to serve

• Stand behind the baseline, on the right of the centre mark for the first point of each game, then alternate.
• Hit the ball diagonally into the opposite service box. You have two tries: missing both is a double fault and you lose the point.
• Stepping on the baseline before hitting is a foot fault.
• A serve that touches the net and still lands in the box is a let: serve again.
• Players change ends after the first game and then after every odd game (1, 3, 5...).

During the rally

• Return the ball over the net into the court after at most one bounce (or before it bounces, a volley).
• You lose the point if the ball bounces twice on your side, if you hit it out or into the net, or if you touch the net while the ball is in play.

Tips for beginners

• Turn your shoulders sideways before you hit, and follow through over the opposite shoulder.
• Get the ball in first, then add pace: most points are lost by mistakes, not won by winners.
• Recover to the middle of the baseline after each shot.