How to play tennis: rules, scoring & getting started.

Tennis looks complicated because of its scoring, but the basics are simple. Once you understand the court, the strokes and the scoring, you'll be playing your first games fast. This guide walks you through it step by step.

Never played before? Start with getting started with tennis. Find your level via what is my tennis level.

The court and the gear

A tennis court is 23.77 m long and 8.23 m wide for singles (10.97 m for doubles). The net hangs in the middle at 0.914 m. You'll also need:

• Racket: for beginners a lighter frame (±270–300 g) with a large head (100–110 sq in) for a big sweet spot. Want more? See our racket buying guide.
• Balls: standard tennis balls; a tube of three costs a few euros.
• Shoes: tennis shoes with lateral support — important for the quick sideways movement.

The strokes

You play singles (1 v 1) or doubles (2 v 2). The basic strokes:

• Forehand: your most natural stroke — with the eastern grip.
• Backhand: one or two hands; beginners often go two-handed for stability. Struggling with it? Read how to fix backhand problems.
• Serve: how you start every point — with the continental grip.
• Volley: hitting the ball out of the air at the net, also with the continental grip.

Start by rallying calmly back and forth; that teaches you more than loose, hard strokes.

Scoring

• Points: 15 – 30 – 40 – game.
• At 40-40 (deuce) you must win two points in a row: first advantage, then the game.
• You win a set with 6 games and a two-game margin; at 6-6 a tiebreak follows.
• You win a match usually with two sets won (best of three).

Note two things: the server always calls their own score first, and many recreational competitions use a shortened format (for example 'no-ad': a single deciding point at 40-40, or short sets). Ask beforehand which format applies.

"Consistency beats power: simply keep one more ball in the court than your opponent."

Position and movement

Stand ready with your knees slightly bent, weight on the balls of your feet and the racket in front of you. Move to the ball with small, quick steps and return to the centre after every shot. Prepare your stroke early by turning your shoulders as soon as you see where the ball is going.

How to get started

You don't have to work through a solo plan. Take a few lessons or a clinic for the basics (grip, stance, serve) and then mostly just play — rallying with someone at your level teaches you fastest. Many courts rent gear and offer lessons.

Common mistakes

• Thinking 40-40 is decided immediately — you need a two-point lead.
• Forgetting that the server calls their own score first.
• Thinking 6 games is enough without a two-game margin.
• Trying to hit too hard instead of keeping the ball in the court consistently.

Reliable sources

You’ll find the official rules at the ITF (International Tennis Federation). Learning technique visually? See the lessons in our article on Patrick Mouratoglou.