Editing Tennis (section)

== Manner of play ==
[[File:Tennis court imperial.svg|thumb|The dimensions of a [[tennis court]]]]
{{For|individual terms|Glossary of tennis terms}}

=== Court ===
{{Main|Tennis court}}

Tennis is played on a rectangular, flat surface. The court is 78 [[foot (length)|feet]] (23.77&nbsp;m) long, and {{convert|27|ft|m}} wide for singles matches and {{convert|36|ft|m|abbr=on}} for doubles matches.<ref name=TCS>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsknowhow.com/tennis/dimensions/tennis-court-dimensions.html|publisher=Sportsknowhow.com|title=Tennis court dimensions|access-date=29 May 2007|archive-date=10 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610094728/http://www.sportsknowhow.com/tennis/dimensions/tennis-court-dimensions.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Additional clear space around the court is required in order for players to reach overrun balls. A net is stretched across the full width of the court, parallel with the baselines, dividing it into two equal ends. It is held up by either a cord or metal cable of diameter no greater than {{convert|0.8|cm|in|frac=3|abbr=on}}.<ref name="ITF Rules"/> The net is {{convert|3|ft|6|in|m}} high at the posts and {{convert|3|ft|m}} high in the centre.<ref name=TCS/> The net posts are {{convert|3|ft|m}} outside the doubles court on each side or, for a singles net, {{convert|3|ft|m}} outside the singles court on each side.

The modern tennis court owes its design to Major [[Walter Clopton Wingfield]]. In 1873, Wingfield patented a court much the same as the current one for his [[Stické|stické tennis]] (sphairistike). This template was modified in 1875 to the court design that exists today, with markings similar to Wingfield's version, but with the [[hourglass]] shape of his court changed to a rectangle.<ref name="Tennis court history">{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/technical/equipment/courts/history.asp|title=Tennis court history&nbsp;– Grass|publisher=ITF|access-date=28 July 2008|archive-date=30 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630194259/http://www.itftennis.com/technical/equipment/courts/history.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Tennis is unusual in that it is played on a variety of surfaces.<ref name="ITF court">{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/technical/facilities/facilities-guide/surface-descriptions.aspx|title=Surface Descriptions|publisher=International Tennis Federation|access-date=15 October 2015|archive-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502001137/http://www.itftennis.com/technical/facilities/facilities-guide/surface-descriptions.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[grass court|Grass]], [[clay court|clay]], and [[hardcourt|hard court]]s of concrete or asphalt topped with acrylic are the most common. Occasionally carpet is used for indoor play, with hardwood flooring having been historically used. [[Artificial turf]] courts can also be found.

==== Lines ====
The lines that delineate the width of the court are called the baseline (farthest back) and the service line (middle of the court). The short mark in the centre of each baseline is referred to as either the hash mark or the centre mark. The outermost lines that make up the length are called the doubles sidelines; they are the boundaries for doubles matches. The lines to the inside of the doubles sidelines are the singles sidelines, and are the boundaries in singles play. The area between a doubles sideline and the nearest singles sideline is called the doubles alley, playable in doubles play. The line that runs across the centre of a player's side of the court is called the service line because the serve must be delivered into the area between the service line and the net on the receiving side. Despite its name, this is not where a player legally stands when making a serve.<ref name="ITF Court rules">{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/media/107013/107013.pdf|title=ITF Rules of Tennis&nbsp;– Rule 1 (The Court)|publisher=ITF|access-date=2 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418122225/http://www.itftennis.com/media/107013/107013.pdf|archive-date=18 April 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The line dividing the service line in two is called the centre line or centre service line. The boxes this centre line creates are called the service boxes; depending on a player's position, they have to hit the ball into one of these when serving.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/media/107013/107013.pdf|title=ITF Rules of Tennis&nbsp;– Rule 17 (Serving)|publisher=ITF|access-date=3 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418122225/http://www.itftennis.com/media/107013/107013.pdf|archive-date=18 April 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> A ball is out only if none of it has hit the area inside the lines, or the line, upon its first bounce. All lines are required to be between {{convert|1|and|2|in|mm}} in width, with the exception of the baseline which can be up to {{convert|4|in|mm}} wide, although in practice it is often the same width as the others.<ref name="ITF Court rules"/>

=== Play of a single point ===
{{Main|Point (tennis)}}
[[File:Peer Vs Chakvetadze.JPG|thumb|250px|Two players before a [[Serve (tennis)|serve]].]]
The players or teams start on opposite sides of the net. One player is designated the ''server'', and the opposing player is the ''receiver''. The choice to be server or receiver in the first game and the choice of ends is decided by a coin toss before the warm-up starts. Service alternates game by game between the two players or teams. For each point, the server starts behind the baseline, between the centre mark and the sideline. The receiver may start anywhere on their side of the net. When the receiver is ready, the server will [[Serve (tennis)|serve]], although the receiver must play to the pace of the server.

For a service to be legal, the ball must travel over the net without touching it into the diagonally opposite service box. If the ball hits the net but lands in the service box, this is a ''let'' or ''net service'', which is void, and the server retakes that serve. The player can serve any number of let services in a point and they are always treated as voids and not as faults. A fault is a serve that falls long or wide of the service box, or does not clear the net. There is also a "foot fault" when a player's foot touches the baseline or an extension of the centre mark before the ball is hit. If the second service, after a fault, is also a fault, the server ''double faults'', and the receiver wins the point. However, if the serve is in, it is considered a legal service.

A legal service starts a ''rally'', in which the players alternate hitting the ball across the net. A legal return consists of a player hitting the ball so that it falls in the server's court, before it has bounced twice or hit any fixtures except the net. A player or team cannot hit the ball twice in a row. The ball must travel over or round the net into the other players' court. A ball that hits the net during a rally is considered a legal return as long as it crosses into the opposite side of the court. The first player or team to fail to make a legal return loses the point. The server then moves to the other side of the service line at the start of a new point.<ref name=Terminology>{{cite news|title=Tennis Terminology |publisher=cbs.com |access-date=31 December 2011|url=http://www.cbssports.com/tennis/story/6145343}}</ref>

=== Scoring ===
{{Main|Tennis scoring system}}
{{redirect|Break point|the software term|Breakpoint}}

==== Game, set, match ====
[[File:Final Score Andy Roddick vs Saulnier.jpg|thumb|250px|The scoreboard of a tennis match.]]

===== Game =====
A [[Tennis score#Game score|game]] consists of a sequence of [[Point (tennis)|points]] played with the same player serving. A game is won by the first player to have won at least four points in total and at least two points more than the opponent. The running score of each game is described in a manner peculiar to tennis: scores from zero to three points are described as "love", "15", "30", and "40", respectively. If at least three points have been scored by each player, making the player's scores equal at 40 apiece, the score is not called out as "40–40", but rather as "deuce". If at least three points have been scored by each side and a player has one more point than his opponent, the score of the game is "advantage" for the player in the lead. During informal games, advantage can also be called "ad in" or "van in" when the serving player is ahead, and "ad out" or "van out" when the receiving player is ahead; alternatively, either player may simply call out "my ad" or "your ad".

The score of a tennis game during play is always read with the serving player's score first. In tournament play, the chair umpire calls the point count (e.g., "15–love") after each point. At the end of a game, the chair umpire also announces the winner of the game and the overall score.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.myactivesg.com/Sports/Tennis/How-To-Play/Tennis-Rules/Basic-rules-of-tennis|title=Basic rules of tennis}}</ref>

===== Set =====
A [[Tennis score#Set score|set]] consists of a sequence of games played with service alternating between games, ending when the count of games won meets certain criteria. Typically, a player wins a set by winning at least six games and at least two games more than the opponent. If one player has won six games and the opponent five, an additional game is played. If the leading player wins that game, the player wins the set 7–5. If the trailing player wins the game (tying the set 6–6) a ''[[Tiebreak (tennis)|tiebreak]]'' is played. A tiebreak, played under a separate set of rules, allows one player to win one more game and thus the set, to give a final set score of 7–6. A tiebreak game can be won by scoring at least seven points and at least two points more than the opponent. In a tiebreak, two players serve by 'ABBA' system which has been proven to be fair.<ref>{{cite news |title=Scientists say ABBA sequence would make for fairer penalty shootouts in soccer |url=https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2017/07/28/Scientists-say-ABBA-sequence-would-make-for-fairer-penalty-shootouts-in-soccer/9061501265649/ |access-date=26 September 2021 |work=UPI |date=28 July 2017}}</ref> If a tiebreak is not played, the set is referred to as an ''advantage set'', where the set continues without limit until one player leads by a two-game margin. A "love set" means that the loser of the set won zero games, colloquially termed a "jam donut" in the US.<ref>{{cite web|title=ATP Most Jam Donuts Served|url=http://www.tennis.com/stats/men_6-0.aspx|publisher=Tennis.com|access-date=6 May 2012}}</ref> In tournament play, the chair umpire announces the winner of the set and the overall score. The final score in sets is always read with the winning player's score first, e.g. "6–2, 4–6, 6–0, 7–5".

===== Match =====
A [[Tennis score#Match score|match]] consists of a sequence of sets. The outcome is determined through a best of three or five ''sets'' system. On the professional circuit, men play best-of-five-set matches at all four [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] tournaments, Davis Cup, and the final of the [[Olympic Games]] and best-of-three-set matches at all other tournaments, while women play best-of-three-set matches at all tournaments. The first player to win two sets in a best-of-three, or three sets in a best-of-five, wins the match.<ref>From 1984 through 1998, women played first-to-win-three-sets in the final of the year-ending [[WTA Tour Championships]].</ref> Only in the final sets of matches at the Olympic Games and [[Fed Cup]] are tiebreaks not played. In these cases, sets are played indefinitely until one player has a two-game lead, occasionally leading to some [[Longest tennis match records|remarkably long matches]].

In tournament play, the chair [[Referee|umpire]] announces the end of the match with the well-known phrase "''Game, set, match''" followed by the winning person's or team's name.

==== Special point terms ====
===== Game point =====
{{anchor|game point|set point|match point|championship point}}A ''game point'' occurs in tennis whenever the player who is in the lead in the game needs only one more point to win the game. The terminology is extended to sets (set point), matches (match point), and even championships (championship point). For example, if the player who is serving has a score of 40–love, the player has a triple game point (triple set point, etc.) as the player has three consecutive chances to win the game. Game points, set points, and match points are not part of official scoring and are not announced by the chair umpire in tournament play.

===== Break point =====
A ''break point'' occurs if the receiver, not the [[Serve (tennis)|server]], has a chance to win the game with the next point. Break points are of particular importance because [[Serve (tennis)|serving]] is generally considered advantageous, with servers being expected to win games in which they are serving. A receiver who has one (score of 30–40 or advantage), two (score of 15–40) or three (score of love–40) consecutive chances to win the game has ''break point'', ''double break point'' or ''triple break point'', respectively. If the receiver does, in fact, win their break point, the game is awarded to the receiver, and the receiver is said to have ''converted'' their break point. If the receiver fails to win their break point it is called a ''failure to convert.'' Winning break points, and thus the game, is also referred to as ''breaking serve'', as the receiver has disrupted, or ''broken'' the natural advantage of the server. If in the following game the previous server also wins a break point it is referred to as ''breaking back''. Except where [[Tennis score#Scoring a tiebreak game|tiebreaks]] apply, at least one break of serve is required to win a set (otherwise a two-game lead would never occur).

=== Rule variations ===
{{See also|Types of tennis match}}

* '''No ad'''
: From 'No advantage'. Scoring method created by [[Jimmy Van Alen]]. The first player or doubles team to win four points wins the game, regardless of whether the player or team is ahead by two points. When the game score reaches three points each, the receiver chooses which side of the court (advantage court or deuce court) the service is to be delivered on the seventh and game-deciding point. Utilized by [[World Team Tennis]] professional competition, ATP tours, WTA tours, ITF Pro Doubles and ITF Junior Doubles.<ref>{{cite web|title=WTT Firsts & Innovations|url=http://www.wtt.com/page.aspx?article_id=626|publisher=WTT.com|access-date=3 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225082726/http://www.wtt.com/page.aspx?article_id=626|archive-date=25 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Alternative Procedures and Scoring Methods|url=http://www.itftennis.com/technical/rules/equipment/appendixiv.asp|publisher=ITF|access-date=3 May 2012|archive-date=6 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206034754/http://www.itftennis.com/technical/rules/equipment/appendixiv.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* '''Pro set'''
: Instead of playing multiple sets, players may play one ''pro set''. A pro set is first to 8 (or 10) games by a margin of two games, instead of first to 6 games. A 12-point tiebreak is usually played when the score is 8–8 (or 10–10). These are often played with no-ad scoring.

* '''Match tiebreak'''
: This is sometimes played instead of a third set. A match tiebreak (also called ''super tiebreak'') is played like a regular tiebreak, but the winner must win ten points instead of seven. Match tiebreaks are used in the [[Hopman Cup]], Grand Slams (excluding [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]) and the [[Tennis at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]] for mixed doubles; on the [[Association of Tennis Professionals|ATP]] (since 2006), [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] (since 2007) and [[International Tennis Federation|ITF]] (excluding four [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] tournaments and the [[Davis Cup]]) tours for doubles and as a player's choice in USTA league play.

* '''Fast4'''
: [[Fast4 Tennis|Fast4]] is a shortened format that offers a "fast" alternative, with four points, four games and four rules: there are no advantage scores, lets are played, tiebreakers apply at three games all, with it being first to five points with a "sudden death" point at four points all, and the first to four games wins the set. In the event of a no advantage deuce, the receiver gets to choose the service side. If a let occurs, the point continues as normal, and the non-receiver (in a doubles game) is permitted to return the serve. When players swap sides, they are not permitted to sit down and must be ready to play within sixty seconds. Between sets, players are permitted to sit down, and must be ready to play within ninety seconds.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 2017|title=2017 Australian Ranking Tournaments – FAST4 scoring format|url=https://www.tennis.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/New-Tournament-Regulations_FAST4_V3.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=22 November 2021|website=Tennis Australia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122064724/https://www.tennis.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/New-Tournament-Regulations_FAST4_V3.pdf|archive-date=22 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=11 January 2016|title=Fast4 Tennis: What is it, what are the rules and how is it played?|url=https://foxsports.com.au/tennis/fast4-tennis-what-is-it-what-are-the-rules-and-how-is-it-played/news-story/a21b0b33e340bd643aa9bfc14abf7512|access-date=22 November 2021|website=Fox Sports}}</ref>

Another, however informal, tennis format is called [[Canadian doubles]]. This involves three players, with one person playing against a doubles team. The single player gets to utilize the alleys normally reserved only for a doubles team. Conversely, the doubles team does not use the alleys when executing a shot. The scoring is the same as for a regular game. This format is not sanctioned by any official body.

"Australian doubles", another informal and unsanctioned form of tennis, is played with similar rules to the [[Canadian doubles]] style, only in this version, players rotate court position after each game, each player taking a turn at playing alone against the other two. As such, each player plays doubles and singles over the course of a match, with the singles player always serving. Scoring styles vary, but one popular method is to assign a value of 2 points to each game, with the server taking both points if he or she holds serve and the doubles team each taking one if they break serve.

[[Wheelchair tennis]] can be played by able-bodied players as well as people who require a wheelchair for mobility. An extra bounce is permitted. This rule makes it possible to have mixed wheelchair and able-bodied matches. It is possible for a doubles team to consist of a wheelchair player and an able-bodied player (referred to as "one-up, one-down"), or for a wheelchair player to play against an able-bodied player. In such cases, the extra bounce is permitted for the wheelchair users only.