1. Learn How to Play Tennis - Basic Rules of Tennis
The question of how to play tennis is often one that is a challenge to new players learning the
game. Tennis is a great sport with many different personalities. In this article, we will reveal
the basics of how to play tennis. It has 3 forms hard, lawn and clay tennis.
Tennis is played by people over the world as a great form of exercise and recreation. There
are also many levels of professional play in tournaments around the world. There are four top
tournaments called the Grand Slam Tournaments. These are Wimbledon, the US Open, The
Australian Open, and the French Open. Millions of people watch these tournaments making
tennis a great spectator sport as well. Recently, tennis was added to the Olympics as an
official sport.
Tennis is a sport that is playable by all age groups and is enjoyed by players at all levels from
kids to senior citizens.
The basic area where tennis is played is call the court. This is a rectangular flat surface of
varying types including concrete, grass, and clay. The standard tennis court is 78 feet long
and 27 feet wide for singles matches. For doubles matches the width of the court is
increased to 36 feet. A 3 feet 6 inch high net is stretched across the court, dividing the court
in half. Tennis courts can be found in public parks, schools, and country clubs throughout the
world. They can be outside or inside allowing for fresh air when the weather is good and year
round play when the weather is bad.
There are three main types of tennis court surfaces. Each surface allows for a different style
of play to excel as the bounce and speed of the ball can vary dramatically. These surfaces
are:
A hard court surface are generally fast courts that have a good consistent bounce of the ball.
Hardcourts are the most popular type of courts in America and most likely the court most
tennis players utilize. A clay court is much different than a hard court. It is usually much
slower as a surface and tennis balls often lose speed when they hit the court. This surface
also causes the ball to bounce higher than on other surfaces. This allows for longer
groundstrokes rallies. We see players like Nadal and Federer grind it out all day on the Clay
Courts at Rolland Garros.
The third type of tennis court is the oldest form of a tennis court as tennis was originally
played on grass. Grass is considered fast court, faster than a hard court. However, the grass
court can be uneven and cause the ball to bounce awkward making it hard to return fast
shots.
Tennis is a unique game that involves a tennis ball and a racket. Play will be based on a
rectangular court, including a net in the center of the court. The tennis court should measures

2. 78 ft by 27 ft, which is divided in half by a net 3 ft (91 cm) high in the middle and 3.5 ft (1.1 m)
high at the end posts. The type of tennis balls used to play is used with a felt covered tennis
ball that allows for optimum bounce on the court. The tennis ball is served from behind the
baseline into the opposite service court.
Once a successful serve is made, players may hit it into any part of the opponent's court until
a point is scored. Rallies won by either player score points. A tennis match is divided into
sets. In a tournament, men have to win three out of five sets to win the match and women
have to win two out of three. In order to win a tennis match, six total games must be won
ahead of his or her opponent. The game of tennis can be fun, exciting and enjoyable.
Tennis seems hard to learn but with focus, determination, knowledge and constant practice
you will succeed. This article will give you a guide on how to play tennis.
First, you have to be acquainted with the gadgets that you will use in tennis. These are a
tennis racket and the tennis balls. The tennis racket consists with a handled frame, an open
hoop across and a network of cords stretched tightly. The parts of a tennis racket are the
head which varies in length and size, rim, face, neck, butt/butt cap, and handle. The head
size is 21" to 26" in junior's length and 27" to 27.5" for taller adult players. A larger head sizes
means more power and a larger "sweet spot" while smaller sizes offers precise control.
The tennis ball, as approved by United States Tennis Association (USTA), are colored
fluorescent yellow as it is more visible in television. The ball diameter must be 65.41-68.58
mm (2.575-2.700 inches) and weighs between 56.0g and 59.4g (1.975-2.095 ounces). These
are filled with air and a uniform felt-covered rubber compound surface which traps air flow
boundary layer that reduces aerodynamic drag which will give balls a good bounce.
Next, is the tennis court. This is a rectangular flat surface usually of grass, clay, concrete or a
synthetic suspended. It is 78 feet (23.78m) full length and 39 feet length on one side. Its
width is 27 feet (8.23m) for single matches and 36 feet (10.97m) for doubles matches. It has
4 service boxes, two service boxes each court. The service line measures 21 feet (6.40m)
from the net. The baseline that is located at the edge of the court. A clear space is needed
around the court for overrun balls. This measures 60 feet (18.3m) wide and 120 feet (36.7m)
long. The net which measures 3 feet and 6 inches (1.07m) high at the posts and 3 feet
(0.914m) high in the center is spread across the court.
A tennis game is composed of three (3) sets but in final professional games, they use five (5)
sets. Each set has 1-6 games. The winning player must beat his opponent by two (2) points.
In cases of tie 6-6, they will initiate a "tie break", which is a straight 1-7 game. The winning
player must also beat his opponent by two (2) points. The game starts with a serve. The
serving player will serve until the end of the game point and is given 2 chances. If the player
fails to serve correctly consuming the 2 chances, the opponent will gain the point.

3. A mistake in the service is called "fault". If the second serve is still not good, this will be
called "double fault". The serve is directed to the service box diagonal to the court you are
standing. Stepping on the line before releasing the ball is a violation. This is called the "foot
fault". A foot fault will be a point to the opponent. Serving in the service box parallel to you is
also a violation. After a serve, a "rally" will occur or the exchange of strokes from each player
to determine who gets the point. The game will be based on the referee's decision.
Lastly, is to know the basics in tennis. Let's start with the different types of grips. First is the
eastern grip. This is like shaking hands with the racket. For the backhand eastern grip, just
turn your racket a quarter of a circle counter clockwise.
Another is the continental grip which is the neutral grip. This grip is not intended for top spin
since it will create errors. The Semi western grip is another type of grip that is used by the
majority of the professional players. To find this grip, place the tennis racket on the ground
then pick it up. This grip is ideal for delivering topspin and power.
The Western grip is another type of grip seldom used by players. This is due to difficulty in
returning short and low balls. The service grip is the same as the continental or eastern grip,
but majority utilizes the eastern grip.
The forehand ground stroke is the combination of moving the front foot forward to attain a
good body balance, shifting your body weight to the contact point and moving with the ball. It
is hitting the ball on your dominant side. Another is the backhand groundstroke. It is almost
the same as the forehand only it is hit on your non dominant side using your dominant hand.
There is no single way to hit the best forehand or backhand because it depends what is
natural for the player.
You cannot be a tennis professional overnight. As they say, practice makes perfect. You may
have enough knowledge, but it should go with action. So grab your tennis rackets and start
hitting those balls and learn how to play tennis.
The way tennis is taught has changed dramatically in the past 10 years. In addition to private
lessons, you can now learn how to play tennis with video tennis instructions for beginners,
available online, allowing you to learn how to play quickly and without the frustration that
beginners often experience. Although it may at times seem daunting, it is possible for just
about anyone to learn how to play tennis by following online tennis instructions for beginners.
Whether you are looking to enjoy a weekend game of tennis with your friends, or perhaps
becoming the next US Open champion, these online video programs can teach you
everything you need to know to start playing tennis. There are some distinct advantages to
learning how to play using these video lessons. First, and perhaps most importantly, you can
literally save hundreds of dollars on the same lessons you would otherwise get from a private
instructor. In addition to saving money, video instructions allow you to learn techniques when

4. you are ready for them and at your own pace, without the pressure of a live instructor. You
can learn how to play immediately, using these easy-to-follow instructional videos guiding
you step-by-step through all aspects of the game.
The main purpose of tennis instructions for beginners is to teach you the basics, such as how
to play tennis at the baseline, the correct grip for one-handed and two-handed backstroke,
basic footwork patterns and how to develop a natural stroke. In addition you will learn proper
balance and stance, how to approach the ball correctly, and serve, volley and return. It's a
great way to start.
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