Welcome to the exciting world of tennis. Before you even think about hitting your first ball, getting a handle on the game's core principles is the key to actually enjoying yourself out there. In this guide, Mantis will break down the essential tennis rules for beginners rules every new player needs to know.
We’ll cover everything from the court layout to the quirky scoring system. And for a broader look at getting started, you can also check out our general guide on tennis for beginners.
Your First Steps on the Tennis Court
Tennis is more accessible than ever, and there’s a growing community right here in the UK built on simple, understandable rules. Our goal is to demystify the game so you can step from the sidelines to the baseline with total confidence.
The sport has seen a huge surge in popularity lately. According to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), 2022 saw a massive 43% increase in adult tennis players compared to the year before, hitting a record two million players a month. This incredible growth just goes to show the game’s broad appeal across every age and background.
Tennis is one of the UK's most gender-balanced sports. Of the new players joining the game, 41% were female, and women’s participation itself jumped by an impressive 34% in just one year.
What to Expect in This Guide
We’ve organised this guide to build your understanding of the game one step at a time. It’s designed to take you from the absolute basics to the nitty-gritty of winning a point.
Here’s what Mantis will cover:
- The Court Layout: We'll break down all those lines and zones on a tennis court so you know exactly where you’re meant to be.
- Scoring System: We'll translate the unique language of tennis scoring—from 'love' to 'deuce'—into simple, easy-to-grasp terms.
- Serving Rules and Faults: You’ll learn how to start a point correctly and what happens when a serve doesn't quite go to plan.
- Playing a Point: We'll walk through the rules of a rally, helping you understand how to win points, games, and ultimately, the match.
Tennis Rules for Beginners: Getting to Grips with the Court
At first glance, a tennis court can seem like a confusing jumble of white lines. But every single one has a job to do, defining the playing area and shaping the game. Think of it as your game board; one of the most fundamental rules for any beginner is knowing this board, as it decides whether every shot you hit is ‘in’ or ‘out’.
Let's start with the basics. The court is split right down the middle by the net, and the lines mark out different zones for singles and doubles matches. A standard court is 78 feet long and 36 feet wide, but the actual playing area shrinks or grows depending on whether you're playing one-on-one or with a partner.
Key Lines and Zones Explained
The first lines every new player needs to get familiar with are the baselines and the sidelines. These form the absolute outer boundaries of the court.
- Baseline: This is the line at the very back of each side. During a rally, if the ball lands past this line, it’s out. Simple as that.
- Sidelines: You'll notice two sets of sidelines running the length of the court. The inner ones are for singles, while the wider, outer lines come into play for doubles.
- Tramlines: This is the 4.5-foot wide corridor between the singles and doubles sidelines. In a singles match, this area is out. In doubles, it's fair game and becomes a vital part of the court.
A question that trips up a lot of new players is whether a ball that hits a line is in or out. The rule is crystal clear: if any part of the ball touches any part of the line, the shot is always considered in.
You’ll also see the area inside the baseline is divided by the service lines and a centre service line. These create smaller boxes that only matter during the serve – the shot that kicks off every single point. We'll dive into the specific rules for serving a bit later on.
How Tennis Scoring Really Works
At first glance, tennis scoring can feel like its own secret language. With its strange-sounding terms like Love, 15, 30, and Deuce, it’s no wonder beginners get a bit lost. But once you crack the code, it's actually quite straightforward. For a complete deep-dive, Mantis has a fantastic guide on how to score in tennis that untangles all the details.
The entire structure of a tennis match is built on three simple parts: points, games, and sets. It’s a ladder. You win a point, which helps you win a game. String enough games together, and you win a set. Win the right number of sets, and you’ve won the match.
From Points to Games
Winning a game is all about being the first player to win four points. But here’s the crucial twist: you have to win by a margin of at least two points. This is where those unique scoring terms come into play.
Instead of a simple "0, 1, 2, 3" count, tennis uses a system that’s steeped in centuries of the sport’s history. It’s a tradition that gives the game its unique character.
To make things clearer, let's look at how the points are called out during a game.
Understanding Tennis Point Scoring
| Points Won | Score Called |
|---|---|
| 0 | Love |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 30 |
| 3 | 40 |
| 4 | Game |
This table shows the basic progression. If a player wins four points before their opponent wins three, they win the game. But what happens if the score gets tight?
The Critical Deuce and Advantage Rule
When both players win three points each, bringing the score to 40-40, it’s called Deuce. This is where the real drama begins. From here, a player has to win two points in a row to seal the game.
If the server wins the next point after Deuce, the score becomes Advantage In (or Ad-In for short). If the receiver wins it, it's Advantage Out (Ad-Out). If the player who has the advantage wins the very next point, they clinch the game. But if they lose it, the score snaps right back to Deuce, and the battle for two consecutive points starts all over again.
This simple infographic breaks down how it all fits together, from a single point to match victory.
As you can see, the path is clear: win points to build games, win games to build sets, and win sets to take the match. It's a system that creates tension and rewards clutch play.
With more people picking up a racquet than ever before, getting these fundamentals down is key. The Lawn Tennis Association reported a huge surge in participation, with over 5.6 million adults playing in 2023 with more information about the sport to be found at our partner Racket Business. This boom includes plenty of newcomers who need a solid grasp of scoring to truly fall in love with the game.
The Serve and Common Fault Rules
Every single point in tennis kicks off with a serve. That makes it, without a doubt, the most important shot in the game. To play a proper match, you have to get your head around the serving rules. At Mantis, we want you to walk onto the court feeling confident, knowing exactly what you need to do.
Here’s how it works: for the first point of any game, the server stands behind the baseline, just to the right of the centre mark. You toss the ball up and hit it before it bounces, aiming for the service box diagonally opposite you. After that point is over, you switch sides, serving from the left for the second point, the right for the third, and so on.
The good news? This crucial shot comes with a second chance if you mess it up. A failed serve is called a fault, and you get two cracks at getting the ball in play.
What Is a Fault in Tennis?
A fault can happen for a few different reasons, and knowing them is key to avoiding giving away easy points. For beginners, the most common ones are:
- Foot Fault: This is a classic. It happens if your foot touches or steps over the baseline before you’ve made contact with the ball.
- Missed Serve: A bit embarrassing, but it happens! This is when you swing at the ball and miss it completely.
- Net Cord: The ball clips the net but then lands outside the correct service box.
- Out Serve: The serve lands outside the proper service box without hitting the net at all.
If you commit a fault on your first try, no big deal – you just take your second serve. But if you fault on that second attempt as well, that’s a double fault, and you lose the point right away.
There's a special case called a 'let' serve. This is when your serve hits the net cord but still drops inside the correct service box. A let isn't a fault; you simply get to retake that serve without any penalty.
With around one million people playing tennis every week in the UK, it’s clear that accessible guides to these basic rules are vital for growing the sport.
Right, so the serve is in, the ball is flying, and the real game begins. This is the rally—the back-and-forth exchange that is the absolute heart of tennis. It’s a dynamic conversation between you and your opponent, and it only ends when someone can’t make a legal return. To help you feel confident in these exchanges, let's break down exactly how points are won and lost.
The most crucial principle to grasp is the one-bounce rule. It’s beautifully simple: you have to hit the ball back over the net before it bounces twice on your side. You’re also allowed to hit it before it bounces at all (that’s called a volley), but if you let it bounce a second time, the point is over, and it's not yours.
Winning and Losing a Rally
During a rally, your mission is to land the ball inside the court boundaries—that’s between the baselines and the correct sidelines—in a way your opponent just can't get back legally.
You’ll win the point if:
- Your opponent hits the ball straight into the net.
- Your opponent’s shot lands outside the court lines.
- The ball bounces twice on their side before they can play it.
- Your opponent, or their racquet, touches the net or the net posts while the ball is still in play.
One thing that often catches new players out is what happens when the ball hits the net during a rally. If your shot clips the net cord and then tumbles into your opponent's court, it's a live ball and the point continues. Unlike on a serve, there's no 'let' call during a rally—you just have to play on.
From Games to Sets to Victory
Winning points is the first step. Those points add up to win games, but the match itself is won by winning sets.
Typically, you need to win six games to clinch a set. But, just like in a single game, there's a catch: you must win by at least two clear games. So, a score of 6-4 gets you the set, as does 7-5.
If the score gets locked at 6-6, the set is usually decided by a tie-break.
Most matches you'll play or watch are the best-of-three sets. This means the first person to win two sets takes the match. The major exception is in the men's Grand Slam tournaments, where they play a far more gruelling best-of-five sets. In that format, a player has to battle their way to three sets to be crowned the champion.
Frequently Asked a Questions About Tennis Rules
Even when you think you’ve got the basics down, tennis has a knack for throwing up weird situations that can leave you and your opponent staring at each other, completely stumped. We've all been there.
Here at Mantis, we want to clear up some of that confusion so you can get on with the game. These are the most common questions we see pop up during a friendly match, answered simply so you can play with confidence. For an even deeper dive, our complete guide to tennis for beginners has everything you need to start your journey.
What Happens If a Ball Hits a Line?
This is easily the most common point of confusion for new players. The rule is refreshingly simple: if any part of the tennis ball touches any part of a line, the shot is always 'in'.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a baseline, sideline, or service line. Think of the lines as being part of the court, not just the borders. They’re your friend!
Can My Racquet Cross Over the Net?
The net is sacred ground, but you can cross it in one specific scenario. You’re allowed to follow through with your swing over the net, but only after you’ve already hit the ball on your side of the court.
What you are not allowed to do is reach over and strike the ball before it has crossed to your side. There's a very rare exception: if a ball lands on your side but has so much spin or wind behind it that it bounces back over to your opponent's side, you can reach over to hit it. Don't hold your breath waiting for that one, though!
One of the unwritten rules of tennis, especially when playing without an umpire, is to always give your opponent the benefit of the doubt on close calls. Honesty and fair play are what keep the game fun for everyone.
How Do Singles and Doubles Courts Differ?
You’ve probably noticed those extra lines running down the sides of the court. They’re called the tramlines, and they mark the key difference between the singles and doubles playing area.
- Singles: You play within the inner sidelines. The tramlines are 'out'. This makes for a narrower court.
- Doubles: The entire court, including the tramlines, is in play. This opens up the court, creating wider angles and different strategies.
Who Calls the Lines Without an Umpire?
In most club or park matches, you won’t have the luxury of an umpire. This means players are responsible for officiating their own game with honesty.
The long-standing etiquette is simple: you call the lines on your side of the net. You are the judge for your opponent's shots, deciding if they are 'in' or 'out'. It’s considered very poor form to question your opponent’s calls, which is why that "benefit of the doubt" rule is so crucial to a friendly game.
At Mantis, we believe understanding the game is the first step to mastering it. The next is having equipment you can trust. Our rackets, balls, and gear are engineered with precision for players who are serious about their progress. Discover the difference that purpose-built equipment can make at https://mantissport.com.
