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Tennis is one of the oldest sports in the world. It is one of the most popular sports of the 21st century. It is an independent sport that can be played individually or in teams with a racket and a ball. It has been around since late medieval times when it was especially popular among the elite.
In this article I will explain what tennis is, how it originated, and how it is played today.
What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
What does tennis entail?
The basics of tennis
Tennis is an independent racket sport which can be played individually or in pairs. It is played with a racket and a ball on one tennis court. The sport has been around since the late Middle Ages and was especially popular among the elite at the time. Today, tennis is a world sport played by millions of people.
How is tennis played?
Tennis is played on different types of surfaces, such as hard courts, clay courts and grass. The object of the game is to hit the ball over the net into the opponent's field of play, so that they cannot hit the ball back. If the ball lands in the opponent's court, the player scores a point. The game can be played in both single and doubles.
How do you start playing tennis?
To start playing tennis you need a racket and a tennis ball. There are different types of rackets and balls, each with their own characteristics. The diameter of a tennis ball is about 6,7 cm and the weight is about 58 grams. You can join a tennis club in your area and train and play matches there. You can also hit a ball with friends for fun.
What does a tennis court look like?
A tennis court has dimensions of 23,77 meters long and 8,23 meters wide for singles and 10,97 meters wide for doubles. The width of the court is indicated by lines and in the center of the court is a net 91,4 cm high. There are also special sized tennis courts for juniors.
What makes tennis so much fun?
Tennis is a sport where you can play both individually and in a team. It is a sport that challenges you both physically and mentally. Through the different phases you go through, from basic skills to learned tactics, tennis remains challenging and you can get better and better. In addition, it is a sport that you can practice at any age and where you can have a lot of fun.
The history of tennis
From handball to tennis
Tennis is an important game that has been played since the thirteenth century. It started as a form of the game of handball, also known as “jeu de paume” (palm game) in French. The game was invented and quickly spread among the nobility in France. In the Middle Ages, the game was played differently than we used to think. The idea was to hit a ball with your bare hand or glove. Later, rackets were used to hit the ball.
The name tennis
The name “tennis” comes from the French word “tennisom”, which means “to keep in the air”. The game was first called "real tennis" to distinguish it from "lawn tennis", which was coined later.
The emergence of lawn tennis
The modern game of tennis began in England in the 19th century. The game was played on grassy areas called "lawns". The game quickly gained popularity and was played by people of all classes. The game had standard lines and boundaries and was played on a rectangular court.
The tennis court: what do you play on?
Dimensions and limitations
The tennis court is a rectangular playing field, 23,77 meters long and 8,23 meters wide for singles, and 10,97 meters wide for doubles. The field is delimited by white lines 5 cm wide. The halves are separated by a centerline that divides the field into two equal parts. Various rules apply to the lines and how the ball must be given when it hits the field.
Materials and coverings
The tennis court can be played both indoors and outdoors. Professional tennis players mainly play on grass, artificial turf, brick (clay) or finer surfaces such as the red clay at the French Open. The grass is a low covering carpet that ensures rapid drainage. The red gravel is coarser and makes for a slower game. Indoor games are often played on smash court, an artificial surface filled with very fine ceramic material.
The game halves and tram rails
The playing field is divided into two playing halves, each with a front pocket and a back pocket. The tram rails are the outer lines of the field and are part of the playing field. The ball that lands on the tram rails is considered in. When serving, the ball must land in the opponent's diagonal service court. If the ball goes outside, it is a foul.
The service and the game
The serve is an important part of the game. The ball must be brought correctly, whereby the ball may be thrown and hit underhand or overhand. The ball must land inside the opponent's service box without touching the center line. The ball must first land in the front pocket before it can be returned by the opponent. If the ball hits the net, but then ends up in the correct service box, this is called a correct service. Once per serve, a player may serve a second serve if the first is a fault. If the second service is also wrong, it results in a double fault and the player loses his/her serve.
Strokes and game rules
The game is played by hitting the ball back and forth over the net between both players. The ball can be played with different strokes such as the forehand, backhand, palm, back, groundstroke, topspin, forehandspin, forehand slice, downward and drop shot. The ball must be hit in such a way that it remains within the lines of the playing field and the opponent cannot hit the ball back. There are several rules that players must adhere to, such as preventing foot faults and correctly rotating the service turns. A player can lose a game if he/she loses his/her own service break and thus gives the opponent an advantage.
The tennis court is a phenomenon in itself, where players can show their skills and beat their opponents. Although it is a never-ending battle between two skilled players, the chance to win is always there.
The rules of tennis
General
Tennis is a sport in which two players (singles) or four players (doubles) play against each other. The object of the game is to hit the ball over the net and land it within the lines of the opponent's half. The game starts with a serve and points are scored when the opponent cannot return the ball correctly.
The storage
The serve is an important phenomenon in tennis. The player who serves starts the game and gets one chance to hit the ball correctly over the net. The serve rotates between the players after each game. If the ball hits the net during service and then enters the correct box, this is called a 'let' and the player gets a second chance. If the ball catches in the net or lands out of bounds, it is a foul. A player may serve the ball underhand or overhand, with the ball bouncing on the ground before being hit. A foot foul, where the player stands with their foot on or over the baseline while serving, is also a foul.
The game
Once the game has started, the players must hit the ball over the net and land it within the lines of the opponent's half. The ball may only bounce once on the ground before it must be returned. If the ball lands out of bounds, it will land in the front or back pocket, depending on where the ball was hit from. If the ball touches the net during play and then enters the correct box, it is called a 'netball' and play continues. The points are counted as follows: 15, 30, 40 and game. If both players are at 40 points, one more point must be won to make the game. If the player currently serving loses the game, it is called a break. If the player serving wins the game, it is called a service break.
To succeed
There are different types of strokes in tennis. The most common are the forehand and the backhand. In the forehand, the player hits the ball with the palm of his hand forward, while in the backhand, the back of the hand is facing forward. Other strokes include the groundstroke, where the ball is hit on the ground after the bounce, the topspin, where the ball is hit with a downward motion to get it over the net quickly and steeply, the slice, where the ball is hit with a downward movement is hit to get it low over the net, the drop shot, where the ball is hit so that it briefly goes over the net and then bounces quickly, and the lob, where the ball is hit high over the opponent's head. In a volley, the ball is hit in the air before it bounces on the ground. A half volley is a stroke in which the ball is hit before it hits the ground.
The job
A tennis court is divided into two halves, each with a baseline and a service line. The tram rails on the sides of the track also count as brought into play. There are different surfaces on which you can play tennis, such as grass, gravel, hard court and carpet. Each surface has its own characteristics and requires a different playing style.
Errors
There are several mistakes a player can make during the game. A double foul is when the player commits two fouls during his service turn. A foot fault is when the player stands with their foot on or over the baseline while serving. A ball landing out of bounds is also a foul. If the ball bounces twice during play before being hit back, it is also a foul.
Strokes: the different techniques to get the ball over the net
Forehand and backhand
The forehand and backhand are the two most commonly used strokes in tennis. With the forehand, you hold the tennis racket in your right hand (or left hand if you are left-handed) and hit the ball with a forward movement of your racket. With the backhand you hold the racket with two hands and hit the ball with a sideways movement of your racket. Both strokes should be mastered by every tennis player and are essential for a good foundation in the game.
Service
The serve is a phenomenon in itself in tennis. It is the only stroke where you may serve the ball yourself and where the ball is put into play. The ball must be thrown or thrown over the net, but the way in which this is done can vary. For example, you can serve the ball underhand or overhand and you can choose from where you serve the ball. If the ball is served correctly and lands within the lines of the service court, the serving player gains an advantage in the game.
Groundstroke
A groundstroke is a stroke that returns the ball after it has been hit over the net by your opponent. This can be done with a forehand or backhand. There are different types of groundstrokes, such as the topspin, forehandspin and forehand slice. In topspin, the ball is struck from the racket with a downward movement such that the ball travels steeply over the net and then drops rapidly. In the forehand spin, the ball is hit from the racket with an upward movement, so that the ball goes over the net with a lot of spin. With the forehand slice, the ball is hit off the racket with a sideways movement, so that the ball goes low over the net.
Lob and smash
A lob is a high blow that goes over your opponent's head and lands in the back of the court. This can be done with a forehand or backhand. A smash is a high blow hit overhead, similar to a throwing motion. This stroke is mainly used to immediately hit back a high ball that comes close to the net. With both shots it is important to hit the ball at the right time and to give it the right direction.
Volleyball
A volley is a stroke where you knock the ball out of the air before it has hit the ground. This can be done with a forehand or backhand. With a volley you hold the racket with one hand and hit the ball with a short movement of your racket. It is a fast stroke that is mainly used at the net. A good volley can give you a lot of chances in the game.
Whether you are a beginner or a skilled player, mastering the different hitting techniques is essential to playing well. By practicing and experimenting with the different strokes you can improve your own game and increase your chances of a game or even a service break.
Tennis equipment: what do you need to play tennis?
Tennis rackets and tennis balls
Tennis is of course not possible without the right equipment. The main supplies are tennis rackets (a few reviewed here) and tennis balls. Tennis rackets come in so many sizes and materials that sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees. Most rackets are made of graphite, but there are also rackets made of aluminum or titanium. The size of the racket head is determined by the diameter, expressed in square centimeters. A normal diameter is about 645 cm², but there are also rackets with a larger or smaller head. The weight of a racket varies between 250 and 350 grams. The tennis ball has a diameter of about 6,7 centimeters and weighs between 56 and 59 grams. The bounce height of a tennis ball depends on the pressure inside it. A new ball bounces higher than an old ball. In the tennis world, only yellow balls are played, but other colors are also used for training.
Tennis clothing and tennis shoes
In addition to a racket and balls, there are more things you need to play tennis. Especially in the past tennis players played in white clothes, but nowadays that is less and less common. In tournaments, men often wear a polo shirt and trousers, while women wear a tennis dress, shirt and tennis skirt. It is also used specialty tennis shoes (the best reviewed here), which may be provided with additional damping. It is important to wear good tennis shoes, because they provide a good grip on the court and can prevent injuries.
Tennis strings
The tennis strings are an important part of the tennis racket. There are many different types of strings on the market, but the most durable are usually the better ones. Unless you suffer from chronic string breakers, it is better to opt for durable strings. Make sure that the string you play offers enough comfort, because a string that is too hard can be stressful for your arm. If you play the same string every time, it can lose performance over time. A string that performs less generates less spin and control and offers less comfort.
Other supplies
In addition to the materials for playing tennis, there are a number of other necessities. For example, a raised chair is required for the referee, who sits at the far end of the track and decides the points. There are also mandatory set pieces, such as toilet breaks and shirt changes, which require permission from the referee. It is also important that spectators behave modestly and do not make over-enthusiastic arm gestures or use shouting words that could disturb the perception of the players.
Bag and accessories
A tennis bag (the best reviewed here) is useful for transporting all your belongings. In addition, there are small accessories such as a sweatband and a sports watch to keep track of your heart rate. A Bjorn Borg luxury ball clip is also nice to have.
Scoring
How does the points system work?
Tennis is a sport in which points are scored by hitting the ball over the net and landing it within the opponent's lines. Every time a player scores a point, it is noted on the scoreboard. A game is won by the player who scores four points first and has a difference of at least two points with the opponent. If both players are on 40 points, it is called “deuce”. From that point on, there must be a two-point difference to win the game. This is called "advantage". If the player with advantage wins the next point, he or she wins the game. If the opponent wins the point, it goes back to deuce.
How does a tiebreak work?
If both players are down to six games in a game, a tiebreaker is played. This is a special way of scoring in which the first player to score seven points with a difference of at least two points against the opponent wins the tiebreak and thus the set. The points in a tiebreak are counted differently than in a regular game. The player who starts serving serves one point from the right side of the court. Then the opponent serves two points from the left side of the court. Then the first player again serves two points from the right side of the court, and so on. This is alternated until there is a winner.
What are the required dimensions of a tennis court?
A tennis court is rectangular in shape and has a length of 23,77 meters and a width of 8,23 meters for singles. In doubles the court is slightly narrower, namely 10,97 meters wide. The inner lines of the court are used for doubles, while the outer lines are used for singles. The height of the net in the middle of the court is 91,4 centimeters for doubles and 1,07 meters for singles. The ball must be hit over the net and land within the opponent's lines to score a point. If the ball lands out of bounds or fails to touch the net, the opponent scores the point.
How does a match end?
A match can end in different ways. Singles is played to the best of three or five sets, depending on the tournament. Doubles is also played for the best of three or five sets. The winner of the match is the player or duo who wins the required number of sets first. If the final set of a match is tied at 6-6, a tiebreak is played to determine the winner. In some cases, a match may also end prematurely if a player withdraws due to an injury or other reason.
Competition management
The role of the race leader
The match director is an important player in tennis. The race management system consists of a course for the race leader, which is concluded with a course day. During this course day, the teaching of the course text on rules and set pieces is supervised by an experienced match director. The Tournament Director knows all the rules and points to be decided during a match.
The match director has a raised chair at the far end of the court and knows the rules of tennis. He or she decides on mandatory set pieces and requires permission for bathroom breaks or shirt changes of the players. The tournament director also keeps the over-enthusiastic parents and other spectators modest and gains respect from the players.
Records
The fastest tennis match ever
On May 6, 2012, French tennis player Nicolas Mahut and American John Isner played each other in the first round of Wimbledon. The match lasted no less than 11 hours and 5 minutes and counted 183 games. The fifth set alone lasted 8 hours and 11 minutes. In the end, Isner won 70-68 in the fifth set. This legendary match set the record for the longest tennis match ever.
The hardest serve ever recorded
Australian Samuel Groth set a record on July 9, 2012 for the hardest tennis serve ever recorded during an ATP tournament. During the Stanford tournament he hit a serve of 263,4 km/h. This is still the record for the hardest serve ever recorded in men's tennis.
Most consecutive service games won
Switzerland's Roger Federer holds the record for most consecutive service game wins in men's tennis. Between 2006 and 2007, he won 56 consecutive service games on grass. This record was equaled in 2011 by Croatian Goran Ivanišević at the Wimbledon ATP tournament.
The fastest Grand Slam final ever
On January 27, 2008, Serbian Novak Djokovic and Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga played against each other in the final of the Australian Open. Djokovic won the match in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. The match lasted just 2 hours and 4 minutes and set the record for the fastest ever grand slam final.
Most titles at Wimbledon
Swede Björn Borg and Britain's William Renshaw have both won the men's singles at Wimbledon five times. In women's tennis, American Martina Navrátilová has won nine Wimbledon singles titles, holding the record for the most Wimbledon titles in women's tennis.
Biggest win in a Grand Slam final
American Bill Tilden won the 1920 US Open final against Canadian Brian Norton 6-1, 6-0, 6-0. This is the biggest victory ever in a Grand Slam final.
The youngest and oldest grand slam winners
American tennis star Monica Seles is the youngest ever Grand Slam winner. She won the French Open in 1990 at the age of 16. Australian Ken Rosewall is the oldest Grand Slam winner ever. He won the Australian Open in 1972 at the age of 37.
Most Grand Slam titles
Switzerland's Roger Federer holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles in men's tennis. He has won a total of 20 grand slam titles. Australia's Margaret Court has won the most Grand Slam titles in women's tennis, with 24.
Conclusion
Tennis is an independent sport that can be played individually or as a team, and the basis of the sport is a racket, a ball and a tennis court. It is one of the oldest sports in the world and became especially popular among the elite in the Middle Ages.
