Tennis FAQs
Published: 17/08/2021, updated: 16/01/2025
Own the court by prepping for victory with our tennis FAQs. Warm up to face your opponent by getting to grips on rackets, acing the score system and kitting yourself out for court in in expert tennis clothing, footwear and accessories.
Serving
How many types of serves are there in tennis?
- Flat serve: A serve with minimal spin
- Slice serve: A serve hit with sidespin
- Underhand serve: A serve hitting the ball below shoulder level
- Kick serve: A serve in which the ball clears the court net in a high arc shape, with a heavy topspin, created by hitting the ball from a throw over the head
What is a racket grip size?
A racket’s grip size is the circumference of the handle of the racket – and the size you need will depend on the size of your hand. You should be able to fit the index finger of your other hand between your fingers and thumb. While the grip size is measured in inches, they are often converted into numbers ranging from Grip Size 0 to 5, or L0 to L5. You can find the perfect racket to suit here.
Will grip size affect how I play?
Grip size will largely impact how your racket performs. A too-small grip will need more muscle strength to keep the racket from twisting, whereas a grip which is too large will make changing grip difficult. Stock up on a selection of tennis grips from the likes of Dunlop and Wilson and enhance your game.
Scoring
How many sets are there in a game of tennis?
A tennis match is composed of points, games, and sets. A set consists of a number of games (a minimum of six). A set is won by the first side to win 6 games, with a margin of at least 2 games over the other side (e.g. 6–3 or 7–5). A match is won when a player or a doubles team has won the majority of the prescribed number of sets. The maximum number of sets in a match is five for men and three for women.
How do you play a tiebreaker in tennis?
If the set is tied at six games each, a tie-break is usually played to decide the winner.
1. The player due to serve the 13th game serves the first point into their opponent’s deuce court
2. After the first serve, the serve goes over to the opponent who then serves the next two points, serving first into the ad court and then into the deuce court
3. After the third point, the players alternate, serving two points each — always beginning on the ad court
4. After the first six points are played, no matter what the score is, the players change ends until one player wins at least seven points with a margin of two points
Tennis kit essentials:
Which tennis racket do I need?
Different tennis rackets suit different sizes, strengths swing types and playing styles. Consider the below:
- Head size: The larger the head of the racket, the more power and the bigger the sweet spot, meaning more of a chance of hitting the ball well
- Length: Generally, the longer the racket, the greater the power on serve
- Weight: A big deciding factor. A racket’s weight plays a big part in the swing, with heavier rackets tending to be more powerful (but meaning the player can get tired quicker)
- Stiffness: A racket with a stiffer frame will send more of an impact to the hand and arm but will also mean less energy is lost as the ball is hit
- Balance: Do you prefer more weight in the racket’s head or body?
Our full range of tennis rackets for beginners, intermediate and advanced players can be found here. There’s also a wide variety of junior rackets here, available in a variety of lengths, head sizes, and shapes. As a general rule when considering the appropriate racket length for your child, stand the racket, handle upwards, next to their foot on their playing side. They should be able to comfortably hold the tip of the handle with their fingers without leaning over.
Which Tennis Shoes Do I Need?
Tennis shoes are crafted to differ from leisure wear trainers in that they have over extensive lateral support in comparison, to reduce the risk of turning over on the ankle, as well as a sole pattern designed specifically to grip the tennis court.
- All court tennis shoes can be worn on all types of court. They have a herringbone grip pattern
- Grass court shoes are designed for exactly that – real or artificial grass courts
- Clay court shoes have a zig zag patterning
- Indoor tennis shoes have totally smooth soles and so are only suitable for indoor carpeted courts
- Lightweight tennis shoes are the most popular option – these can include tennis shoes for any surface
Get yourself a specialist pair of tennis shoes here, in a range for men, ladies and kids of all levels of play. Brands include adidas, Asics, Nike, Slazenger and Mizuno.
How Do I Dress for Tennis?
Tennis clothing is crafted to move with the player at every stretch, twist, jump and run.
- Traditional men’s tennis wear sees a combination of a polo shirt and shorts.
- Women wear a polo shirt and skort, skirt or shorts or a dress
- Tennis headbands, visors and sweatbands are also popular pieces.
Unleash your inner tennis champion with our expert collection of functional tennis apparel for any age and level from top brands Babolat, Slazenger, Nike, adidas.
Top tennis accessories:
Be sure to tick off these must-have tennis accessories too and get set for centre court
- Tennis balls: Shop our extensive range of tennis balls to suit every level and be match ready
- Tennis grips: Improve the performance of your racket with our collection of tennis grips and guarantee optimum comfort
- Racket bags: Carry your kit in style whether you’re a pro or an occasional player
- Strings: Stay prepared and stocked up on tennis strings to ensure you’re always performing at your best
Glossary
Ace
A serve which doesn’t touch the receiving player’s racket, meaning the server wins the point immediately
Backhand
A shot in tennis when you hit the ball with your arm across your body and the back of your hand facing the ball
Baseline
A line at the end of the court, parallel to the net, that marks the playing area boundary, lengthwise
Centre Line
The line running through the direct centre of the court and connecting the two service lines that sit either side of the net
Drop Shot
When the ball is hit over the net softly, meaning it lands in the opponent's court so short that the opponent should not be able to get there before the ball bounces twice
Foot Fault
Occurs if the server, whilst serving, touches the baseline or court with either foot, touches with feet the area beyond and imaginary sideline extension, touches the imaginary extension of the centre mark, changes position by either walking or running
Grand Slam
The world's four most important annual tennis events - U.S. Open, Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon
Grip
The way in which the player holds the racket. There are three standard grips in tennis: the eastern, continental, and western grips
Groundstrokes
A forehand or backhand shot that is executed after the ball bounces once on the court
Lob
A shot that aims to push the ball high and deep into the opponent's court
Overhead
A shot hit above the hitter's head with a serve-like motion during play. The overhead is also known as a ‘smash’
Passing Shot
A stroke taken that sends the ball to one side of the court, out of reach of the opponent
Serve
An action by which a player hits the ball to their opponent to begin the rally
Sideline
Court lines perpendicular to the net, defining the widest margins of the court
Spin
The rotation shot of the ball, affecting its bounce and the trajectory. This is commonly used to catch the opponent off guard
Volley
A shot where a player returns the ball before it bounces. These are usually played at the service line or in a position closer to the net
