Tennis, with its captivating gameplay, has a large audience worldwide. So much so that tennis tournaments, followed by people from all over the world, mark the most important times of the year for some! So, how about learning new information and refreshing your knowledge about this sport?
Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Maria Sharapova… Even if you are not particularly interested in tennis, chances are you have heard these successful names who have made their mark in the history of world tennis! Tennis, already a highly enjoyable sport to watch, expands its audience even further with the successful shots and thrilling moves of these players.
Tennis, the focus of prestigious tournaments held in many different countries, is considered the world’s most popular individual sport. According to a list prepared by Topend Sports, this sport is played professionally and amateurishly by a total of 60 million people worldwide! So, do you think you have enough knowledge about tennis? Let’s delve into the depths of this enjoyable sport together!
Each season, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) organizes four major tennis tournaments. Known as the “Grand Slam” tournaments, they are held at different times of the year in Australia, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
What is Tennis?
Tennis is a type of sport played between two individuals or two teams of two players each. The objective of the game is to hit the ball over the net into the opponent’s court and to make the opponent miss the ball. A point is scored when the ball lands in the opponent’s court a second time or goes out of bounds. Played with a racket and a ball, tennis is one of the most dynamic sports due to the end-to-end shots and the speed required for the moves.
In international tennis matches, a total of 12 referees are assigned to follow the game in the most ideal way. These include six line judges, two back judges, two service judges, one net judge, and one chair umpire. In situations where there is uncertainty about a move, the head referee can also intervene as the 13th official.
Did you know?
The word “tennis” originates from the Anglo-French word “tenetz” (hold and catch). The etymology alone seems sufficient to explain the style of this game, don’t you think?
When Was Tennis Invented?
One of the most important things to know about tennis is the history of this special sport. According to sources, a sport similar to tennis was played by hand in ancient Egypt, Greece, and the Persian Empires thousands of years ago. By the 12th century, it is seen that English and French nobles began playing a similar sport with a net, in indoor courts, and with racket-like tools.
So, who invented tennis as we know it today? English officer Walter Clopton Wingfield invented the first lawn tennis in 1873. As he patented the game and began selling tennis balls and nets to other countries, the popularity of tennis increased. Shortly thereafter, in 1875, the first tennis rules were established and published by the Marylebone Cricket Club in England. The sport strengthened its foundations over time, and with the establishment of the International Tennis Federation, it evolved into the modern game we know today.
What are the Rules of Tennis?
Tennis, being a fast-paced game, can have a dynamic that is difficult for some viewers to follow. In addition to the speed of the game, a lack of knowledge can also introduce many confusing details during the match for the viewers. When the reasons behind the moves are not understood, the enjoyment of watching the game naturally decreases. However, all of these issues can be resolved by answering the question, “What are the rules of tennis?”
Learning the rules of tennis is very effective in understanding what you are watching and in enjoying the game. So, what are the basic rules of tennis? Let’s take a look:
- The game begins with a serve.
- The choice of the server, receiver, and side of the court is determined by a pre-serve coin toss.
- The receiver stands in the diagonal service box, and the server must hit the ball to the diagonal service box.
- The server has two attempts to serve the ball. If the ball hits the net twice or lands outside the diagonal area, it is called a “double fault” and the server loses the point.
- The opponent must return the ball before it bounces twice on their side of the court; otherwise, they lose the point.
- If the ball hits any objects around the court after it bounces, the player who hit the ball scores a point. If the ball hits any object before bouncing, the opponent scores the point.
- Players switch sides of the court at the end of the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and subsequent odd-numbered games in each set.
- Matches are played over three or five sets. A player must win two out of three sets or three out of five sets to win the match.
- Balls are replaced after a certain period as they wear out from being hit.
What are the Dimensions of a Tennis Court?
Tennis is played on a rectangular court called a “court.” Whether they are indoors or outdoors, courts must have the same dimensions. The court dimensions are determined by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). According to official standards, courts must be 23.77 meters (m) long and 10.97 m wide.
The net that divides the court in half has a central height of 0.914 m as specified by the ITF. The posts that hold the net should be 1.07 m high. The court surface is divided into three types: clay, hard, and grass. Each surface has significant impacts on players’ playing styles and game dynamics.
When discussing tennis, some people may use the term “court tennis.” So, what is court tennis? Due to the playing area, some individuals may refer to tennis this way. However, in reality, court tennis refers to “royal tennis,” known as “court tennis” in America and “royal tennis” in Australia. Royal tennis is considered the predecessor of modern tennis.
How Many People Play Tennis?
Tennis is popularly played between two individuals. In addition to this singles (one-on-one) format, there is also a version played between two teams of two players each, making a total of four players. This is called “doubles tennis.” The same rules applied in singles tennis also apply in doubles tennis.
How to Play Tennis?
Tennis, which can be played as singles (1-1) or doubles (2-2), aims to send the ball to the opponent’s court in a way that makes it most difficult for the opponent to return it. If the ball bounces within the opponent’s court on its first bounce and bounces again before being returned, a point is scored. If the ball lands outside the court on its first bounce, the opponent scores a point. In singles, the side sections of the court are considered out of bounds, but in doubles, these sections are considered in play.
Tennis matches are played over three sets or five sets. In matches played over three sets, the player who wins two sets is the winner. In matches played over five sets, the player who wins three sets is the winner. To win each set, players must win six games with at least a two-game difference (6-0, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4). In case of a 5-5 or 6-6 tie, a “advantage set” or “tie-break set” is played to determine the winner.
How Do Scores Progress in Tennis?
Points in each game progress sequentially as 15, 30, and 40. A player who wins one point has a score of 15, two points score 30, and three points score 40. If both players have won three points in the current game, the score is tied at 40-40, known as “deuce.” The player who wins the next point after deuce has the “advantage.” If the player with the advantage wins the next point, they win the game. If not, the score returns to deuce.
How Long Does a Tennis Match Last?
Tennis matches, filled with excitement every minute, do not have a fixed duration. In this unique sport, it is the points and sets that determine the length of the match. Therefore, matches can extend significantly when ties persist for a long time or when opponents catch up with each other consecutively. Conversely, tennis matches can also end very quickly if the sets are won rapidly.
Did you know?
The longest tennis match in history was played between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut. This match took place at the 2010 Wimbledon Tennis Tournament and lasted a total of 11 hours and 5 minutes, spanning over three days!
What are the Most Important Tennis Terms?
Although tennis has a special audience worldwide, it is less popular compared to sports like football, basketball, and volleyball. This results in fewer people knowing about tennis. So, do you think knowing the most important tennis terms can increase your interest in this sport?
Backhand: A shot made with one hand or two hands, where the palm faces the chest and the back of the hand faces the opponent, hitting the ball on the non-dominant side.
Forehand: A shot made with the palm of the dominant hand facing the opponent, hitting the ball on the dominant side.
Ace: A serve that the opponent cannot return, resulting in a point.
Game: A segment where a player wins by scoring four points without a tie, and must win a total of six games by at least a two-point margin to win a set.
Backspin: A shot that causes the ball to spin backward, also known as a slice.
Tie-break: A system used to break a 6-6 tie in sets.
Tweener: A shot made between the legs by a player in certain situations.
Line Judge: An official who informs the umpire whether the ball landed inside or outside the responsible line.
Match Point: The point that, if won by one side, will win the match.
Rally: A long exchange of shots between players after the serve, continuing until a point is scored.