Tennis rules for beginners

The goal of the game

Players hit a ball back and forth over a net. You win a point when your opponent cannot return the ball legally: it bounces twice on their side, goes into the net, or lands outside the lines. Points add up to games, games add up to sets, and sets add up to a match.

Serving and returning

• Every point starts with a serve. The server stands behind the baseline and hits the ball into the diagonally opposite service box.
• The server gets two chances. If the first serve misses, it is called a fault and the server tries a second. Two faults in a row is a double fault, and the server loses the point.
• A serve must clear the net and land in the correct box. If it touches the net cord but still lands in the correct box, it is a let and the serve is simply replayed. The server must also keep both feet behind the baseline until the ball is struck; stepping on or over it is a foot fault.
• The opponent, called the returner, must let the serve bounce once before hitting it.
• After the serve and the return, both players may hit the ball before it bounces or after one bounce, but never after two. A player also loses the point by touching the net, hitting the ball twice, or being hit by the ball while it is in play.
• The server alternates sides of the court after each point, starting from the right side. The same player serves for an entire game, and then the serve passes to the other player. In standard rules players switch ends of the court after the first game and then after every odd-numbered game.

How a game is scored

Within a game, points are called 15, 30 and 40, and the server's score is usually said first. Scoring zero is called love. The first player to win four points wins the game, but they must be ahead by at least two points.

Some events, especially in youth, college and team play, use no-ad scoring, where the next point at deuce decides the game. Check which your event uses.

If both players reach 40 in standard scoring, the score is deuce. From deuce, a player must win two points in a row. The first point after deuce gives advantage to the player who won it. If that player wins the next point too, they win the game. If not, the score goes back to deuce.

Sets and matches

• In standard rules, a set is won by the first player to win six games with a lead of at least two games.
• If a set reaches six games each, many events play a tiebreak, a special game in which players count points one, two, three and so on. In standard rules the first to seven points, ahead by two, wins it.
• A match is usually the best of three sets, so the first to win two sets wins. Some events play longer matches or shorter formats, and some replace a deciding third set with a longer match tiebreak, so check your event.

What counts as in and out

A ball that touches any part of a line is in. A ball that lands completely outside the line is out. Serves must land in the correct service box, and the lines of that box count as in. For singles and doubles differences, see singles vs doubles, court lines and player roles.

Who makes the calls

At most youth and club matches there is no umpire on court. Players call the lines on their own side and are expected to be honest and to give close calls to their opponent. Say the call clearly and promptly, and announce the score before each serve so there are no disputes. A coach or parent can help young players practice this etiquette before their first match.

What changes for young players

• Beginner programs often use smaller courts, lower nets and slower, lower-bouncing balls so kids can rally sooner.
• Shorter formats are common, such as playing to a set number of games or points instead of full sets. The details vary by league and age group, so check with yours.
• Some events use match tiebreaks or timed rounds, especially for large events with many matches in a day.

Once the rules click, the vocabulary is the next hurdle. Our tennis terms for new parents glossary covers it, and the tennis hub collects everything in one place.