Learn all about tennis!
Scroll through to find out how to keep the score in a tennis match or learn how to hit different strokes.
Score
Keeping track of the score in tennis can be a little confusing, but once you've got it nailed down, you'll be good to go.
A tennis match is split into 2-3 sets. Each set is made up of games. To win a set, you have to win at least 6 games and you must win with a difference of two games. If the difference is less than two games, such as 6-5, then you'd keep playing more games until someone wins with a difference of two games (for example, if the score was 6-5 in your favor, you could win the next game and win the set by 7-5). Each game is split into points. Love means 0 points, 15 means 1 point, 30 means 2 points, and 40 means 3 points. For instance, if the score was 1 points - 2 points, the score would be 15-30. If someone has 40 (or 3 points) and wins the next point, they win the game. However, if both players are at 40-40, that's called a deuce. Each player then has to win the next two points in a row in order to win the game. If someone wins the first point but then loses the second, the score would just go back to deuce again.
A player must win 2 out of 3 sets in order to win the match. As soon as someone wins 2 sets, they win the match.
A tennis match is split into 2-3 sets. Each set is made up of games. To win a set, you have to win at least 6 games and you must win with a difference of two games. If the difference is less than two games, such as 6-5, then you'd keep playing more games until someone wins with a difference of two games (for example, if the score was 6-5 in your favor, you could win the next game and win the set by 7-5). Each game is split into points. Love means 0 points, 15 means 1 point, 30 means 2 points, and 40 means 3 points. For instance, if the score was 1 points - 2 points, the score would be 15-30. If someone has 40 (or 3 points) and wins the next point, they win the game. However, if both players are at 40-40, that's called a deuce. Each player then has to win the next two points in a row in order to win the game. If someone wins the first point but then loses the second, the score would just go back to deuce again.
A player must win 2 out of 3 sets in order to win the match. As soon as someone wins 2 sets, they win the match.
Serve
The Serve is arguably the most important stroke in a tennis match. Serves are used at the beginning of every tennis point. When it's your turn to serve, you'll stand behind either the deuce or ad side of the court and serve a ball into the box diagonally across from you.
To learn how to hit a serve, click here.
To learn how to hit a serve, click here.
Forehand
A forehand is one of the most basic groundstrokes you need to know in order to play a point out. A forehand is a shot you play with your dominant hand to hit a ball back across the tennis court.
To learn how to hit a forehand, click here.
Backhand
A backhand is another basic groundstroke used to play a point out. A backhand is played on your non-dominant hand side, but it's usually hit with both hands on the racket.
To learn more on how to hit a backhand, click here.
Volley
A volley is a shot typically played when one is inside the service line or close to the net. To hit a volley, you would need to hit the ball out of the air before it bounces.
To learn more on how to hit a volley, click here.
Overhead
An overhead is also typically played when one is inside the service line. However, an overhead is only played when the ball is lobbed over your head.
To learn more on how to hit an overhead, click here.