What are the basic rules of playing tennis?

Tennis is a sport played between two players (singles) or two teams of two players each (doubles). The game is played on a rectangular court with a net stretched across the middle. Here are the basic rules of playing tennis:

1. Scoring System:

   • Tennis matches are divided into sets, and sets are further divided into games. To win a set, a player or team must win at least six games and have a lead of at least two games. If the set is tied at 6-6, a tiebreaker is played to determine the winner of the set.

   • Games are scored as follows:

     • Points are counted as 15, 30, 40, and then game point. If both players or teams are tied at 40-40 (known as "deuce"), one player or team must win two consecutive points to win the game.

2. Serve and Serve Reception:

   • The player or team that serves first is determined by a coin toss or other means. The server must stand behind the baseline and serve the ball diagonally across the net into the opponent's service box on the other side of the court.

   • The receiver must stand on the opposite side of the net and return the serve after it bounces once in their service box. The receiver can hit the ball anywhere in the opponent's court.

3. Rallying:

   • After the serve, players or teams take turns hitting the ball back and forth over the net until one player or team fails to return the ball within the boundaries of the court or commits a fault.

   • Players can hit the ball with their racquet before it bounces on their side of the court (a volley) or after it bounces (a groundstroke).

4. Court Boundaries:

   • The tennis court is divided into two halves by the net. Each half is further divided into service boxes, baseline, singles sidelines, and doubles sidelines.

   • Players must hit the ball within the boundaries of the court. If the ball lands outside the court boundaries, it is considered out, and the opponent earns a point.

5. Faults and Lets:

   • A fault occurs when a player fails to serve the ball into the opponent's service box, or when a player commits other rule violations, such as foot faults or double bounces.

   • If a served ball hits the net and lands in the correct service box, it is called a let, and the server is allowed to serve again without penalty.

6. Changeover:

   • Players change ends of the court after every odd-numbered game in a set and at the end of each set. During changeovers, players are allowed a brief rest, can hydrate, and receive coaching if permitted by the tournament rules.

7. Match Conclusion:

   • A tennis match is typically played as the best of three sets for singles and doubles matches, and the best of five sets for men's singles and doubles matches in most professional tournaments.

   • The player or team that wins the required number of sets first wins the match.

These are the fundamental rules of tennis that govern gameplay and scoring. While there are additional rules and nuances to the game, understanding these basics will provide a solid foundation for playing and enjoying tennis.