Did you know that there are certain rules of tennis that most people are unaware of?
As you may know, tennis is played by two people on a rectangular court divided by a net. Players use rackets to hit a ball back and forth over the net.
The game starts with a player serving the ball from behind the baseline into the opponent’s service box, which is diagonally opposite from where the player is standing.
The object of the game is to hit the ball over the net and into your opponent’s court in such a way that they are unable to hit it back before it bounces twice, or hits the ground outside of their court
If you are able to do this, you score a point. The first player to reach four points wins the game!
These are the rules of tennis in its simplest form, however, there are more uncommon rules which we’ll discuss now.
The server must bounce the ball before serving
If you are serving the ball, you must let it bounce before hitting it. If you do not do this, it is called a fault and your opponent gets to choose whether to have another serve or to take the point.
This rule is not well known because it is not usually enforced unless it is pointed out by either the player or their opponent.
You can only have one fault per serve
If you hit the ball into the net on your service or if you do not let the ball bounce before serving, it is called a fault
If you have two faults in a row, this is called a double fault and your opponent gets to choose whether to have another serve or to take the point.
Court dimensions
The court must be a rectangle and the length of the court must be between 78 feet (23.77 meters) and 84 feet (25.6 meters)
The width of the court must be between 27 feet (8.23 meters) and 36 feet (10.97 meters).
The net must be 3.5 feet (1.07 meters) high at the posts and 3 feet (0.91 meters) high in the middle.
You can hit the ball with any part of your racket
You are allowed to hit the ball with any part of your racket, including the frame. It is a common misconception that you are only allowed to hit the ball with the strings of your racket.
You can hit the ball twice
You are allowed to hit the ball twice as long as you hit it in succession and you do not allow the ball to bounce before hitting it the second time.
You can hit the ball anywhere
There is no rule saying that you have to hit the ball over the net. You are allowed to hit the ball anywhere you want, including into the net or out of bounds.
You do not have to keep your feet on the ground
There is no rule saying that you have to keep your feet on the ground when hitting the ball. You are allowed to jump, spin, or do whatever you want as long as you hit the ball before it bounces.
Rules of Tennis: Outcome
These are just some of the little-known rules of tennis! Knowing these rules may not help you win your next match, but it will give you a better understanding of the game.
Who knows, maybe you can use these rules to your advantage next time you play!
