Scores, serves and rackets: our tennis guide for total triumph on the court
Published: 17/08/2021, updated: 02/07/2025, by: Jasmin Bodman
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at tennis? A popular racket sport, played in either twos or fours, tennis involves hitting a small ball over a net with rackets, with the aim of beating the other team.
It’s a game of skill but don’t feel disheartened by this fact - it’s still incredibly fun! Whether you’re a complete beginner or a pro with your racket, this guide will go over some of the rules of the game, as well as how the scoring system works, so you know what’s what on the court.
We’ll also include a handy glossary so you can be clued up on all of the tennis terms you might need to know!
The scoring basics
One of the most important aspects of tennis - how it’s scored! Once the coin toss at the beginning of the game determines who will serve first, the game can begin, but the next thing you may be thinking about is the scoring system and how it actually works.
A tennis match is composed of points, games and sets and a set consists of a number of games, a minimum of six.
The first player to win six games, with a margin of at least two games over the other side, wins the set. The maximum number of sets in a match is five for men (in a Grand Slam) but all other tournaments for men and women is three sets.
You may have heard some of this scoring jargon before, whether playing traditional tennis or even a video game (who doesn’t love Wii Sports?), but these are some of the terms used in tennis:
Love - no points
15 - first point
30 - second point
40 - third point
Game - fourth point
If both players have three points each, this is called a ‘deuce’ and a player has to win two more points consecutively in order to win overall. Once one of the players scores after a deuce has been declared, this is known as an advantage - they simply need one more point to win.
What's a tie-break in tennis?
But what if both sides are stuck at six points each? Introducing the tie-break.
A tie-break is played after both sides have won six games each and is won when one side reaches seven points with at least two points separating them from their opponent.
Different serves and what they mean
There are a few different types of serve in tennis, including:
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Flat serve - a serve with minimal spin
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Slice serve - a serve hit with sidespin
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Underhand serve - a serve hitting the ball below shoulder level
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Kick serve - a serve in which the ball clears the court net in a high arc formation, with a heavy topspin, created by hitting the ball from a throw over the head
Players use a variety of serves to try and get an advantage over the opponent. How you serve can have a big impact - serve strong and come out on top!
Tennis rackets - which one's for me?
Of course, one of the most important bits of kit when playing tennis is your racket. When choosing this, you need to think about the size, as this can impact your play. For example, if the racket grip is too small, you’ll have to use more muscle strength to keep it from twisting, but a grip that is too big can mean it’s tricky to change grip when you need to.
Finding the right one for you is key. You can explore a range of tennis rackets at Sports Direct, with the likes of Wilson and HEAD, brands that are champions on the tennis scene.
Clothing and footwear to keep you comfortable on the court
Clothing:
Like with any sports, having the right clothing and footwear can help you get the most out of the activity you’re doing. If you’re a beginner and just playing tennis with friends, you probably don’t need to spend lots of money on any specific clothes - you just need to remember to choose something comfortable and flexible. Tennis involves running, jumping, twisting and turning, so your clothing needs to move with you.
If you want to look the part though, you can browse our range of tennis clothing to create a stylish yet comfortable tennis outfit.
Traditionally, men’s tennis gear includes the likes of polo shirts and shorts, whereas women’s outfits feature skorts, tennis dresses and polo shirts, too.
It’s important to note that tennis in summer time is quite popular - it’s the perfect way to spend time outdoors - so accessories like headbands and sweatbands, caps and visors are ideal.
Footwear:
Your footwear needs to be durable and comfortable, able to keep up with your movements throughout your games on the court. Tennis shoes are crafted specifically for tennis, to provide support when you play and reduce the risk of injury. They also tend to have a particular sole design that helps to grip the court surface.
Here’s some information about tennis shoes to help you choose the best ones for you:
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Grass court shoes are designed for real or artificial grass courts
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Clay court shoes tend to have a zig-zag pattern on the sole
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Indoor tennis shoes have smooth soles so are normally only suitable for indoor carpeted courts
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Lightweight tennis shoes tend to be the most popular picks - these can include those that are ideal for any surface type
Tennis is an exciting, fast-paced sport that can be enjoyed by anyone. Whether you’re playing with friends a couple of times a week during the summer or you want to take it up as a new hobby, there’s plenty to learn and explore in terms of skill - you could become the next Jannick Sinner or Serena Williams!
If you’re unsure on what to wear, how to play or need further assistance, consult a professional - if you’re part of a tennis club or training session, your instructor should be able to help! Remember to have fun… game, set, match!
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
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