Tennis

Tennis is a racket sport played between either two players (singles) or two teams of two players each (doubles). The objective of the game is to hit a ball over a net into the opponent’s court in a way that they cannot return it. The game is played on a rectangular court that is divided by a net, with specific markings for singles and doubles play.

Players use a strung racket to strike a felt-covered rubber ball, aiming to score points by landing the ball in the opponent’s designated area, which requires both skill and strategy. Points are accumulated through a sequence of rallies, where players must hit the ball back and forth until one fails to return it legally.

The scoring system is unique, using terms such as “love” for zero, and scoring progresses from 15 to 30 to 40, and then to game point. Matches can be played in various formats, including best of three or best of five sets, with each set comprising games that must be won by a margin of at least two points.

Tennis is played on various surfaces, including grass, clay, and hard courts, which can significantly influence the game’s pace and style. It is governed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and has a rich history, with major tournaments known as Grand Slams.