The game of tennis is typically played between two players in a singles game, or two players in a doubles game. Tennis can be played on various courts, which include clay courts, grass courts and hard courts or artificial grass courts.

Matches that are standard types

Singles includes two players competing against one another, typically two women or two men however games between a man and woman can be played on a more informal basis or even as an exhibition.

Doubles is played by two teams comprising the same number of players. which is typically all female or male. It has a bigger court than singles matches; it covers the space in the alley (tramlines in British terms) while singles matches do not. The two players on each receiving side switch places after every point played (one on the net, and the other close to the baseline, getting ready to serve again).

mixed Doubles is played exactly as doubles, however only one player and one female player per team. This kind of tennis is uncommon in the professional world since the women’s and men’s tours are run independently (by WTA and ATP, respectively). ATP and WTA and WTA, respectively). However the of the four Grand Slam tournaments hold a mixed doubles tournament, in addition to the women’s and men’s doubles with numerous of the exact players. Also, there is an annual mixed national team tournament called the Hopman Cup, which includes mixed doubles matches. In addition, there were mixed doubles matches during the Summer Olympics at various times (In 1900, and from 1912 to 1920, and from 2012).

As players become becoming less competitive in singles in their 20s and 30s, they are able to compete in doubles or mixed doubles (as as demonstrated by Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe who both won doubles titles during their late 40s).

Matches of other kinds

Canadian doubles

If three players are on hand the rules can be modified to allow for a mismatch to ensure it is possible that single players doesn’t need to be much more skilled than two players. A single player is able to enter an open court for doubles while the team with two players plays into an individual court.

Australian doubles / American doubles

Unofficial and unannounced version of tennis. It’s played in the same way as Canadian doubles, however in this variation the players change court positions following each game. This means that each player plays both singles and doubles throughout an entire match and the singles player always serving. The styles of scoring vary, but the most popular approach is to give a value of two points per game which means that the server gets all points when he or holds serve while the doubles team taking one point if they break. In all of the United Kingdom (particularly England) and Australia the format is generally called “American doubles”, whereas in South Africa you would call it “American singles”, or cut-throat tennis. It’s also popular in the Caribbean

Wheelchair tennis

The game is played in singles as well as doubles by those who are wheelchair bound. The major distinction lies in that the ball can bounce twice before it gets hit. The third bounce could be off the court. The the four Grand Slam tournaments include wheelchair tennis.

Also read: Curling and its rules!

Tennis with visual impairment

The sport of tennis for the visually impaired (also called “blind tennis” in Japan as well as its country of origin and in some countries as “sound tennis” is some regions around the globe) is played in 4 categories of classification. The B1 (blind) category demands that players wear blindfolds and plays with special balls which emit a sound when they come into hitting the courts. It typically has a smaller court and lower net than normal tennis. Up three bounces can be allowed prior to return of the ball. Although sound tennis isn’t an element of ITF, ATP, and WTA tournaments A world-class tournament is played every year, and world rankings are announced for female and male players who have different levels of impairment.

Mini-tennis

There has been an improvement in tennis training that utilizes the use of ball with low compression and, in some instances, modified court dimensions. Organisations across the globe have started using ball sizes with lower compression and smaller court sizes in order to connect with younger tennis players who are interested in the sport of tennis. The use of balls with low compression and court sizes that are modified is intended to ease the transition towards becoming an amateur or competitive tennis player. The balls with low compression have different colors to indicate the degree of compression. Beginning players and those who are just beginning will likely discover the game is easier to master because the balls don’t bounce as high, or travel at the same speed than “normal” balls. The smaller courts are modified to help in covering the court or getting the shot of the opponent easy.

Tennis court

The tennis court is the place where tennis takes place. It’s a solid rectangular surface that has a low net that runs across the center. The similar surface can be used for doubles as well as singles matches. There are a variety of surfaces that can be utilized to construct tennis courts each with their own specific characteristics that influence the playing manner that the sport.

Dimensions

The dimensions of courts for tennis are determined and controlled through the International Tennis Federation (ITF) its governing body. The rules are laid on the “Rules of the Game” document. The court measures at a length of 78 feet (23.77 metres) long. Its size of 27 feet (8.23 meters) to play singles, and 36 feet (10.97 metres) for doubles matches. The line for service measures 21 feet (6.40 meters) away from the net. A larger area in the court to allow players to get overrun balls, which is the total that is 60 inches (18 metres) in width as well as 120 feet (37 metres) long. The net spans all the length of the court in line with the baselines, and divides in two equally parts. The net measures 3 feet 6-inches (1.07 metres) tall at the posts as well as three inches (0.91 metres) high in the middle. These nets are three inches (0.91 metres) from of the court for doubles on either side or, in the case of singles nets three inches (0.91 meters) outside the court for singles on each side.

Courts with smaller courts

In the ITF’s Play and Stay campaign promotes playing on smaller courts, with slow red, orange green, and red balls for smaller children. This allows children to have greater time and control so that they can play, rally and score in the initial lesson. They can also play on courts built to be a good fit for their bodies. The ITF has ordered that all official competitions for children 10 years old and younger should take place with “Orange” courts 18 m (59 feet) long and 6.4 meters (21 feet) wide. Children under eight years of age is held in “Red” courts that are 11 meters (36 feet) in length and 5.5 meters (18 feet) wide. The net is 0.8 millimeters tall in the middle.

Must read following articles on different sports!

• Wheelchair Curling & its Rules
• Arnis & its Rules
• Shot put & its Rules
• Pole Vault & its Rules