Tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world. Based on the International Tennis Federation Global Tennis Report of 2024 it is estimated that there are just under 106 million tennis players worldwide.
Tennis can be played as singles which is one player versus another player, doubles which is 2 male players versus 2 male players or 2 female players versus 2 female players and lastly mixed doubles which is a male and a female player versus a male & a female player. Players who play socially with friends and family usually mix it up a bit and play based on skill level irrespective of gender.
Tennis is also one of the most popular spectator sports & is watched by millions around the world. Many young people are inspired to be sportsman or woman by watching their tennis heroes battling each other to try to be the champion of one of the four grand slams – the Australian Open, US Open, Wimbledon & the French Open.
The tennis section of Bestracket is designed to provide helpful information for all skill levels of tennis player. From the newbie that is picking up a tennis racket for the very first time all the way up to the advanced level tennis player.
Here we answer the most common tennis questions for you:
What is tennis and how is it played?
Tennis is a racket sport played between two players (singles) or two teams of two players (doubles) on a rectangular court divided by a net. Players use strung rackets to hit a felt-covered rubber ball over the net and into the opponent’s court, aiming to win points by making the ball land where the opponent cannot return it.
Tennis can be played on four main surface types: hard courts, clay courts, grass courts, and carpet. Each of which influences the speed and bounce of the ball. Matches are organized into points, games, and sets. Most recreational and professional formats requiring a player to win two or three sets to claim the match.
How does tennis scoring work for beginners?
Tennis uses a unique scoring system. Points within a game are counted as 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, and then “game” and a player must win at least four points and lead by two to win a game. Games are grouped into sets (first to six games, winning by two), and sets are grouped into matches.
Key scoring terms to know:
- Love – zero points
- Deuce – when both players reach 40, the game continues until one player leads by two clear points
- Advantage – the point after deuce, held by the player who won the last rally
- Tiebreak – a special game played to 7 points (win by 2) when a set reaches 6-6
What equipment do I need to start playing tennis?
To start playing tennis, you need four essential items: a tennis racket, tennis balls, appropriate court shoes, and comfortable athletic clothing. Beyond these basics, most beginner players can get started for well under $150 total.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what to look for:
- Racket: Beginners should choose a lightweight racket (around 10-11 oz) with a large head size (100-110 sq in) for a bigger sweet spot
- Balls: Standard pressurized tennis balls are fine for most beginners; low-compression “red,” “orange,” or “green” balls are recommended for children
- Shoes: Tennis-specific shoes with lateral support are important – running shoes do not provide adequate side-to-side stability
- Bag: A basic racket bag protects your equipment between sessions
For the most comprehensive list of tennis equipment needed currently available, please have a look at our Tennis Equipment List page.
What are the basic rules of tennis that every beginner should know?
The core rules of tennis state that the ball must land within the boundaries of the opponent’s court. Players alternate hitting the ball after each shot, and the ball may only bounce once before being returned. Faults, lets, and out calls are the most common rule situations beginners encounter.
Essential rules to understand from day one:
- The server gets two attempts per point; two consecutive faults result in a double fault and the opponent wins the point
- A “let” on serve (ball clips the net and lands in) results in a re-serve with no penalty
- The ball is “out” if it lands outside the court boundary lines, including the tramlines in singles
- During a rally, the ball must clear the net and land inside the opponent’s designated court area
What is the difference between singles and doubles in tennis?
The primary difference between singles and doubles in tennis is the number of players and the court dimensions used. Singles is played one-on-one using a narrower court, while doubles which is played two-on-two, uses the full court width, including the tramlines (the outer side channels).
In doubles, players must coordinate positioning and communication, with one player typically serving while their partner covers the net. Mixed doubles pairs one male and one female player on each side and is a popular format at recreational club level and at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
What are the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments?
The four Grand Slam tournaments, also known as “the Majors”, are the Australian Open, the French Open (Roland Garros), Wimbledon, and the US Open. They are the most prestigious events in professional tennis. They award the most ranking points and prize money in the sport.
Each Grand Slam is played on a different surface:
- Australian Open – hard court (January, Melbourne)
- French Open – clay court (May–June, Paris)
- Wimbledon – grass court (June–July, London)
- US Open – hard court (August–September, New York)
A player who wins all four Grand Slams in the same calendar year achieves what is known as the “Calendar Grand Slam”. One of the rarest feats in sport.
How big is a tennis court and what are its dimensions?
A standard tennis court is 78 feet (23.77 meters) long and 27 feet (8.23 meters) wide for singles play, expanding to 36 feet (10.97 meters) wide for doubles. The net stands 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 meters) high at the posts and 3 feet (0.914 meters) at the center.
Other key court measurements include:
- Service boxes: Each service box is 21 feet deep from the net
- Baseline: The back boundary line from which the server initiates each point
- No-man’s land: The informal term for the middle zone between the service line and baseline, generally considered a tactically weak position to play from
How does a tennis tiebreak work?
A tennis tiebreak is a special game played when a set reaches 6-6. It’s designed to decide the set without play continuing indefinitely. The first player to reach 7 points, with a margin of at least 2 points, wins the tiebreak and the set 7-6.
Key tiebreak rules to understand:
- The player whose turn it is to serve begins the tiebreak, serving one point from the right side
- Players then alternate serving in blocks of two points, switching ends of the court every six points
- In most professional matches, a standard tiebreak is used in all sets except the final set, where a “match tiebreak” (first to 10 points) or advantage set rules may apply depending on the tournament
What is a fault in tennis and what happens when you serve one?
A fault in tennis occurs when a serve fails to land in the correct service box – the diagonal box on the opposite side of the net from the server. Each player receives two serve attempts per point; a first fault results in a second serve opportunity, while a second fault (a double fault) awards the point directly to the receiver.
Common causes of service faults include:
- The ball landing outside the service box boundaries
- The ball hitting the net without clearing it
- The server’s foot touching or crossing the baseline before contact (a “foot fault”)
What is a “let” in tennis?
A “let” in tennis is a serve that clips the top of the net and still lands within the correct service box. When a let occurs, the serve is replayed with no penalty. The server retakes either their first or second serve, depending on which attempt produced the let.
Lets are exclusively called on serves, not during regular rallies. If the ball hits the net during a rally and falls into the opponent’s court, play continues normally. Lets are also historically called when an external disturbance interrupts a point, though this is less common in professional play.
What does “love” mean in tennis scoring?
“Love” in tennis means zero. It is the term used to describe a score of no points within a game, no games within a set, or no sets within a match. The most widely cited origin of the word is the French “l’œuf” (meaning “the egg”), which represents the oval shape of a zero.
You will hear love used in score announcements like:
- “Love-fifteen” – server has 0 points, receiver has 15
- “Love-all” – both players are at 0 points at the start of a game
- “Six-love” – one player has won a set 6 games to 0, also called a “bagel” in informal tennis slang
How do you choose the right tennis racket as a beginner?
As a beginner, the right tennis racket is one that is lightweight, has a large head size, and offers a longer grip-friendly handle to maximize power and forgiveness on off-center hits. Most beginners perform best with a racket weighing between 9.5 and 11 ounces (unstrung) and a head size of 100–115 square inches.
Key factors to consider when selecting your first racket:
- Weight: Lighter rackets are easier to swing and reduce fatigue for new players
- Head size: Larger head sizes offer a bigger sweet spot and more margin for error
- Grip size: An incorrectly sized grip can contribute to arm discomfort; measure your grip size before buying
- Pre-strung vs. custom: Most beginner rackets come pre-strung at a suitable tension, making them a cost-effective starting point
What is the difference between tennis court surfaces and does it matter?
Yes, tennis court surface matters significantly. It directly affects the speed, bounce height, and spin behavior of the ball, which in turn influences playing style and strategy. The four main surfaces are hard court, clay, grass, and carpet, each with distinct characteristics.
A quick comparison:
- Hard court: Medium pace, consistent bounce; the most common surface globally and used at the Australian Open and US Open
- Clay: Slow pace, high bounce; favors baseline rallies and heavy topspin; used at the French Open
- Grass: Fast pace, low bounce; rewards serve-and-volley play; used at Wimbledon
- Carpet (indoor): Fast pace, low bounce; less common in modern professional tennis but still used at some indoor events
How many players play tennis worldwide?
According to the International Tennis Federation’s Global Tennis Report 2024, approximately 106 million people play tennis worldwide, making it one of the most widely played sports on the planet. Tennis participation spans all age groups, with the sport attracting both male (59.7%) and female (40.3%) players across more than 200 nations.
Tennis’s global appeal is reinforced by its accessibility, it can be played recreationally at a local club or park, and by the global reach of professional events like the Grand Slams, which attract hundreds of millions of television and streaming viewers annually.
What is the correct way to serve in tennis?
A legal tennis serve begins with the server standing behind the baseline, tossing the ball into the air, and striking it with the racket before it bounces, sending it diagonally into the opposite service box. The server alternates between serving from the right (deuce) side and the left (advantage) side after each point.
Key elements of a correct serve:
- Both feet must remain behind the baseline until contact is made with the ball
- The ball must be tossed and struck cleanly. Catching a poor toss and re-tossing is permitted without penalty
- The serve must clear the net and land within the diagonal service box. Hitting the center service line counts as in
- Spin variations – flat, slice, and kick (topspin) are the three main serve types used at all levels of play
What does “deuce” mean in tennis?
Deuce in tennis occurs when both players reach a score of 40-40 within a single game. At deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to win the game. The first point after deuce gives that player “advantage”. If they win the following point, they win the game; if they lose it, the score returns to deuce.
Deuce games can theoretically continue indefinitely, though some recreational formats and lower-level tournaments use a “no-ad” scoring system in which the next point after deuce decides the game outright, with the receiver choosing from which side the deciding point is served.
What is the difference between a flat, slice, and topspin shot in tennis?
Flat, slice, and topspin are the three primary shot types in tennis, differentiated by the racket’s swing path and the resulting spin, or lack thereof, applied to the ball. Each produces a different flight path and bounce, making them strategically distinct.
Here’s how they differ:
- Flat: Minimal spin, maximum pace; the ball travels in a direct line and stays low after bouncing – effective for aggressive groundstrokes and serves
- Topspin: Racket brushes upward on the back of the ball; produces a high, looping arc and a sharp, kicking bounce – the most commonly taught groundstroke for beginners and intermediates
- Slice: Racket cuts under the ball; produces backspin, a low bounce, and a floating trajectory – useful for defensive shots, approach shots, and serve variations
How long does a typical tennis match last?
A typical recreational tennis match lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, while professional matches vary considerably depending on the format. A best-of-three-set match at the professional level averages around 90 minutes. Best-of-five matches used for men at Grand Slams can exceed four or five hours.
Notable factors affecting match length include:
- Format: Best-of-three vs. best-of-five sets significantly changes average duration
- Surface: Clay court matches tend to run longer due to slower ball speed and longer rallies
- Player style: Baseline ralliers typically produce longer matches than serve-and-volley players
- The longest professional match on record is the 2010 Wimbledon first-round match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, which lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes across three days
What should a tennis beginner focus on learning first?
Beginner tennis players should focus first on three fundamentals: learning a consistent forehand groundstroke, understanding the basic scoring system, and developing reliable serve mechanics. These three skills form the foundation of all future development in the sport.
A practical learning progression for new players:
- Forehand groundstroke – the most naturally comfortable shot for most beginners and used in the majority of rallies
- Scoring and rules – understanding how points, games, and sets work removes confusion and speeds up game readiness
- Serve – even a basic serve with reliable placement allows beginner match play to begin
- Backhand – introduced shortly after the forehand, either as a one-handed or two-handed technique
- Net play and volleys – typically introduced at the intermediate stage once groundstrokes are consistent
Is tennis a good sport for fitness and overall health?
Yes, tennis is an excellent full-body workout that delivers meaningful cardiovascular, muscular, and mental health benefits. A one-hour session of singles tennis burns between 400 and 600 calories depending on intensity, and the sport develops agility, coordination, reaction time, and explosive leg strength simultaneously.
Research consistently links regular tennis participation to long-term health outcomes:
- A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that racket sports are associated with a 47% reduction in all-cause mortality risk compared to a sedentary lifestyle
- Tennis engages the legs, core, shoulders, and arms in every point, offering more muscular variety than many single-discipline sports
- The social and strategic dimensions of tennis also contribute to cognitive engagement and mental well-being. This makes it a sport with benefits that extend well beyond physical fitness
Click on the links below to some of our most popular Tennis articles. Go to the Home Page and hover over the “TENNIS” menu tab to browse the various articles which are designed to give you all the information you need to be the best Tennis player you can be, irrespective of your skill level.
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