Tennis is a racket sport played by two players (singles) or four players (doubles) who use stringed rackets to hit a felt-covered ball back and forth over a net. A point ends when one side cannot return the ball legally into the opponent’s court. Players win points, games, sets and finally the match.
That is the short version. The rest of this guide fills in everything a curious beginner actually wants to know: where the game came from, what the court and gear look like, how that odd 15-30-40 scoring works, and how to get on court yourself. No jargon left unexplained.
A short history and who runs the sport
Tennis as we know it grew out of a French handball game called jeu de paume (“game of the palm”), played by hitting a ball with the bare hand. Rackets came later. The modern outdoor game, first called “lawn tennis,” was codified in England in the 1870s, and the first Wimbledon Championships were held in 1877. From there it spread quickly across Europe and to the United States.
The sport’s global governing body is the International Tennis Federation (ITF), founded in 1913. The ITF writes the official Rules of Tennis, oversees international competition and runs team events like the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. Two tours organize the professional circuit: the ATP for men and the WTA for women.
At the top of the calendar sit the four Grand Slam tournaments, the biggest events in the sport:
|
Grand Slam |
Location |
Month |
Surface |
|
Australian Open |
Melbourne, Australia |
January |
Hard |
|
French Open (Roland Garros) |
Paris, France |
May-June |
Clay |
|
Wimbledon |
London, England |
June-July |
Grass |
|
US Open |
New York, USA |
August-September |
Hard |
Winning all four in a single calendar year is called a “Grand Slam,” a feat so rare it has happened only a handful of times in history.
The court, the net and the equipment
A tennis court is a flat rectangle divided in half by a net. The main service and boundary lines are painted on the surface. You do not need to memorize every measurement, but a few numbers help the rest of the game make sense.
|
Feature |
Measurement (US / metric) |
|
Court length (baseline to baseline) |
78 ft / 23.77 m |
|
Width, singles |
27 ft / 8.23 m |
|
Width, doubles |
36 ft / 10.97 m |
|
Net height at the center |
3 ft / 0.914 m |
|
Net height at the posts |
3.5 ft / 1.07 m |
|
Service line to net |
21 ft / 6.40 m |
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis. For a full breakdown of every line and zone, see our guide to standard tennis court dimensions.
The net is lower in the middle than at the posts, which is why aiming your shots over the center is the safer play.
Your two essential pieces of gear:
- The racket. A frame strung with a bed of synthetic or natural strings. Beginner rackets tend to have a larger head (more forgiving sweet spot) and a lighter frame. How you hold it matters more than which one you buy, so it is worth learning proper tennis racket grip technique early.
- The ball. A hollow rubber core wrapped in bright yellow felt. It is pressurized so it bounces to a consistent height. Balls lose their bounce over time, which is why players open a fresh can for a match.
Add court shoes with good lateral grip and comfortable athletic clothing, and you are ready.
How scoring works
Tennis scoring looks strange until someone explains it once. Here is that once.
You build a win in three layers: points make games, games make sets, and sets make the match.
Points within a game are counted in this odd sequence:
- No points = “love”
- First point = 15
- Second point = 30
- Third point = 40
- Fourth point = game (if you are ahead by two)
If both players reach 40-40, that is called deuce. From deuce, one side must win two points in a row. Win the first and you have the “advantage”; win the next and you take the game. Lose it and the score returns to deuce. This can repeat many times.
Games within a set: the first player to win 6 games wins the set, but they must lead by at least two games (so 6-4 wins, 6-5 does not). If the set reaches 6-6, players usually play a tiebreak.
The tiebreak is scored with plain numbers (1, 2, 3, and so on). The first to 7 points, leading by two, wins the tiebreak and the set 7-6.
Sets within a match: most matches are best of three sets, so the first to win two sets wins the match. Men’s Grand Slam matches are best of five.
Basic rules and how a point is played
Every point starts with a serve. The server stands behind the baseline and hits the ball diagonally into the service box on the other side. They get two chances: miss both (a “double fault”) and they lose the point. A serve that clips the net cord but lands in is a “let” and is replayed.
Once the serve is in, players rally by hitting the ball back and forth. The core rules of a rally are simple:
- The ball may bounce only once on your side before you hit it back.
- You may also hit it in the air before it bounces (a “volley”).
- Your shot must land inside the opponent’s court. A ball touching any part of a line is in.
- You lose the point if you hit the ball into the net, out of bounds, or let it bounce twice.
Serving alternates: one player serves for an entire game, then the other serves the next game. Players switch ends of the court after every odd-numbered game. For a deeper walk through the regulations, our basic tennis rules guide covers the edge cases too.
Singles vs doubles
Singles is one player against one, using the narrower court (27 feet wide). It is a game of movement and stamina, since you cover the whole court alone.
Doubles is two players per side, using the wider court that includes the outer “tramlines” (36 feet). It rewards teamwork, quick reflexes at the net and smart positioning. Many beginners find doubles more social and less physically punishing, which makes it a friendly place to start.
Court surfaces and why they matter
Tennis is played on three main surfaces, and each one changes how the ball behaves:
- Hard court. The most common surface at clubs and public courts. The bounce is medium-fast and predictable, which makes it great for learning. Both the Australian and US Opens use it.
- Clay. Made of crushed brick or stone. The ball bounces higher and slower, so points last longer and reward patience. Roland Garros is the famous clay event.
- Grass. The original surface. Fast and low-bouncing, it favors quick points and big serves. Wimbledon is the last major grass tournament.
If you have ever wondered how tennis compares to its fast-growing cousin, our tennis vs pickleball comparison breaks down the differences in court, gear and pace.
Health benefits of playing tennis
Tennis is a genuine full-body workout dressed up as a game. Regular play helps with:
- Heart health. The stop-start sprints keep your heart rate up, building cardiovascular fitness.
- Strength and coordination. Swinging, lunging and changing direction work your legs, core and shoulders together.
- Bone density and balance. The weight-bearing movement supports stronger bones as you age.
- Mental sharpness. Reading spin, angles and your opponent’s position keeps your mind engaged.
- Mood and connection. It is social by nature, and the focus a rally demands is a clean break from screens and stress.
A frequently cited long-term study out of Denmark (the Copenhagen City Heart Study) even linked regular tennis with a notably longer life expectancy, in part because of the social side of the sport.
How to start playing tennis
You do not need much to begin:
- Get a beginner racket and a can of balls. Borrow or rent first if you can, then buy once you know you enjoy it.
- Find a court. Public parks, community centers and clubs all have courts, many of them free.
- Take a lesson or two. A coach fixes grip and footwork habits before they set in. If you would rather self-start, follow our guide on how to play tennis for beginners.
- Rally before you keep score. Spend your first sessions just trying to hit ten balls in a row over the net. Scoring can wait.
- Wear the right clothing. Comfortable, breathable pieces that let you move freely make a real difference. Browse Olaben’s women’s tennis collection for court-ready options.
The best part of tennis is that you can play it at almost any age and keep improving for years. Start slow, keep it fun, and let the rest follow.
FAQ
Is tennis hard to learn for a complete beginner?
The basics come quickly. Most people can rally within a few sessions. The scoring feels confusing at first but clicks after one or two matches. Consistency, not power, is what improves fastest early on.
Why is tennis scored 15, 30, 40?
The exact origin is debated. A popular theory ties it to a clock face, with points marked at 15, 30 and 45 minutes (later shortened to 40). Whatever the history, the sequence is now just tradition you memorize.
How long does a tennis match last?
It varies widely. A casual best-of-three match often runs about 90 minutes. Professional five-set matches can stretch past four hours, though most recreational games are much shorter.
What is the difference between tennis and pickleball?
Pickleball uses a smaller court, a paddle instead of a strung racket, and a plastic ball with holes. It is slower and easier on the body, which is why it has grown so fast. Our tennis vs pickleball comparison covers it in detail.
Can I play tennis alone?
Yes, up to a point. You can practice serves, hit against a wall or use a ball machine. But a full game needs at least one opponent, since the sport is built around the rally.
