The game of tennis is typically played between two players in a singles game, or two players in a doubles game. Tennis is also played on various courts such as clay courts, grass courts courts and hard courts or artificial grass courts.
Matches that are standard types
Singles is a game played by two players against one another, generally two women or two men but games played between a man and woman could be played on a casual basis or in the form of exhibitions.
Doubles is played by two teams consisting of 2 players, and is most typically all female or male. It has a bigger court than singles games: it encompasses the space of the alley (tramlines in British terms) while singles games do not. The two players on each receiving side switch places after every point played (one on the net, and the other close to the baseline, getting ready to serve again).
mixed Doubles is played exactly as doubles, however there is only one man and one woman on each team. This kind of tennis is uncommon in professional tennis since the women’s and men’s tour are arranged independently (by both the ATP and WTA respectively). However the of the four Grand Slam tournaments hold a mixed doubles event, along with the women’s and men’s doubles with several of these players. Also, there is an annual mixed competition for national teams known as known as the Hopman Cup, which includes mixed doubles matches. There have also been mixed doubles matches during the Summer Olympics in various instances (In 1900, and from 1912 until 1920 and from 2012).
As players become losing their competitiveness in singles by their 20s and 30s, they may compete in doubles or mixed doubles (as shown by Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe who both won doubles titles during their late 40s).
Matches of other kinds
Canadian doubles
If three players are on hand the rules can be modified to allow for a mismatch to ensure it is possible that only one player doesn’t necessarily have to be significantly more skilled than two players. A single player is able to enter a doubles court , while the team with two players plays into an individual court.
Australian doubles / American doubles
Unofficial and unannounced version of tennis. It’s played using the same rules as Canadian doubles, but in this form the players move around court following each game. This means that each player plays both singles and doubles during an entire match while the singles player is always serving. Scoring methods vary, but the most popular approach is to give a value of two points per game which means that the server gets all points when he or serves, and the doubles team breaking one. All over all of the United Kingdom (particularly England) and Australia the format is generally called “American doubles”, whereas in South Africa you would call it “American singles”, or cut-throat tennis. It’s also popular in the Caribbean
Wheelchair tennis
The game is played in singles as well as doubles formats by players who are wheelchair bound. The major distinction lies in that the ball could bounce twice before being hit. The third bounce could be off the court. The of the Grand Slam tournaments include wheelchair tennis.
Tennis with visual impairment
The sport of tennis for the visually impaired (also called “blind tennis” in Japan as well as its country of origin as well it is also known as “sound tennis” is some regions around the world) is played in four kinds of classifications. The B1 (blind) class demands that players wear blindfolds and uses special balls that make sounds upon hitting the courts. The courts are usually smaller court and lower net than standard tennis. 3 bounces or more may be allowed prior to return of the ball. Although sound tennis isn’t an element of ITF, ATP, and WTA tournaments A world-class tournament is played every year, and world rankings are announced for female and male players who have different levels of impairment.
Also read: Curling and its rules!
Mini-tennis
There has been a shift in tennis training that utilizes the use of balls with low compression and, in some instances, modified court dimensions. Many organizations around the world are using ball sizes with lower compression and smaller court sizes in an effort to connect with young tennis players who are interested in tennis. The use of ball with low compression and court sizes that have been modified are intended to ease the transition towards becoming an amateur or competitive tennis player. Low compression balls have different colors to show the degree of compression. Beginners and young players will likely enjoy the game more easily to master because the balls don’t bounce as high, or travel in the same manner like “normal” balls. The smaller courts that have been modified help in covering the court or getting the shot of the opponent also easier.
Tennis court
The tennis court is in which tennis takes place. It’s a solid rectangular surface that has a low net that is stretched across the middle. The similar surface can be used to play doubles or singles matches. There are a variety of surfaces that can be utilized to construct tennis courts each one with distinct particular characteristics that affect the play way and the way in which it is played.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the tennis court are specified and controlled through the International Tennis Federation (ITF) its governing body. The rules are laid on the “Rules of the Game” document. The court measures at a length of 78 feet (23.77 metres) long. The court’s length of 27 feet (8.23 meters) to play singles, and 36 feet (10.97 metres) for doubles matches. The line of service measures 21 feet (6.40 meters) in length from where the net is. An additional space of clear space around the court is required in order to allow players to hit overrun balls for an overall length that is 60 inches (18 meters) long in width and 120 feet (37 metres) long. The net spans the entire length of the court parallel to the baselines, splitting in two equally parts. The net is 6-inches (1.07 metres) tall at the posts in addition, it is three inches (0.91 metres) taller in the center. These nets are three inches (0.91 metres) from in the courts for the doubles players on either side or, in the case of singles nets three inches (0.91 meters) outside the court for singles on each side.
Courts with smaller courts
In the ITF’s Play and Stay campaign promotes playing on smaller courts using slower orange, red as well as green ball for smaller youngsters. This allows children to have greater time and control so that they can play, rally and score from their initial lesson. They can also play on courts designed to accommodate their body. The ITF has demanded that all competitions that are sanctioned for children 10 and under play in “Orange” courts 18 m (59 feet) long and 6.4 meters (21 feet) wide. Children who are younger than eight years of age is held with “Red” courts that are 11 meters (36 feet) in length and 5.5 metres (18 feet) wide. The net is 0.8 millimeters high at the center.
Must read following articles on different sports!
- Wheelchair Curling & its Rules
- Arnis & its Rules
- Shot put & its Rules
- Pole Vault & its Rules