The Tennis Court

The Scoring System — Points → Games → Sets → Match

Points0,15,30,40

→

GameWin 4 pts

→

SetWin 6 games

→

MatchWin 2–3 sets

Situation	Score Called	What it means
No points yet	Love	0 – 0
Win 1st point	15	First point scored
Win 2nd point	30	Two points scored
Win 3rd point	40	One point from game
Both players at 40	Deuce	Must win 2 consecutive points
Win point at Deuce	Advantage	"Ad-In" (server) or "Ad-Out" (returner)
Win from Advantage	Game!	Win the game
Sets tied 6-6	Tiebreak	First to 7 points (win by 2) takes the set

Key Rules

🏹

The Serve

Each point starts with a serve diagonally into the service box. You get 2 attempts. A missed serve = "fault." Two faults = double fault (you lose the point).

⚡

Ace

A serve the opponent can't touch at all. Instant point for the server!

🔄

The Rally

After the serve, players hit back and forth. The ball must land inside the court boundaries. It may bounce once on your side before you hit it.

📏

In vs. Out

If the ball lands outside the lines, it's "out" and your opponent wins the point. On the line = in!

🔁

Let

If a serve clips the net but lands in the correct box, it's a "let" — replay the serve with no penalty.

🏆

Winning a Match

Most matches are best of 3 sets. Grand Slams (men's) are best of 5. First to win the required sets wins the match.

Court Surfaces

🟠 Clay

Slow surface

Ball bounces high and slow. Favors baseline grinders. Tiring to slide on.

Roland Garros (French Open)

🟢 Grass

Fast surface

Ball stays low and skids. Favors big servers and net players.

Wimbledon

🔵 Hard

Medium-fast surface

Consistent bounce. Most common surface worldwide. Balanced play.

US Open & Australian Open

⭐ The Four Grand Slams

🇦🇺 Australian Open

January · Hard court · Melbourne

🇫🇷 French Open

May–June · Clay · Paris

🇬🇧 Wimbledon

June–July · Grass · London

🇺🇸 US Open

August–Sept · Hard · New York

🎾 How Tennis Works