Tennis

Tennis is a sport where players hit a ball over a net with rackets, aiming to score points by making the opponent miss a valid return.

Origin

Birmingham, England

Type

Outdoor or indoor

Venue

Tennis court

Supreme Authority

International Tennis Federation

Summary

Tennis is a racket sport played individually or in pairs (singles and doubles) on a rectangular court divided by a net. Originating in France in the 12th century as "jeu de paume," it evolved over centuries, with rackets introduced in the 16th century. Modern tennis developed in the 19th century in Birmingham, England, known initially as "lawn tennis." The game involves striking a rubber ball with a racket over the net, aiming for the opponent to miss a valid return. It’s widely accessible, and played by people of all ages, including wheelchair users.

The sport is governed internationally by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), with major competitions held on different surfaces: grass, clay, and hard courts. Tennis rejoined the Olympics as a full medal sport in 1988, and is also part of the Paralympics. The four Grand Slam tournaments, the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, are highly prestigious and represent the highest level of competition.

Matches are divided into points, games, sets, and eventually, the best of three or five sets to decide the winner. The scoring includes terms like "love" (zero points), "deuce" (40-40), and "advantage." Players use various stances and grips to perform key shots like forehands, backhands, volleys, and serves, with techniques varying according to the chosen court surface.

Tennis equipment has evolved significantly, with modern rackets made from materials like graphite, and balls now made of vulcanised rubber. The game features both singles and doubles competitions, with men and women competing separately in international circuits, as well as mixed doubles. Today, tennis is a prominent global sport, followed by millions of fans and widely played at recreational and professional levels.

Key Types of Tennis

Tennis is played in various formats, primarily singles and doubles, which differ in the number of players and court boundaries.

Singles: Singles matches have one player on each side of the court. This format is often seen in major tournaments. The singles court is narrower, as only the inner sidelines are used as boundaries. It demands individual skill, stamina, and a strong mental approach, as players are entirely responsible for their own performance.
Doubles: In doubles, two players team up on each side, using the full width of the court, including the outer sidelines known as the doubles alleys. Doubles emphasises teamwork and coordination between partners. Communication and positioning are key, as each player covers different areas of the court. Doubles matches are often faster-paced due to shorter rally times and closer net play.
Mixed Doubles: Mixed doubles is similar to standard doubles but includes one male and one female player on each team. It is played at the Grand Slams and some other tournaments, providing a unique competitive dynamic as players of different genders collaborate to win points.
Wheelchair Tennis: Wheelchair tennis follows the same rules as regular tennis, with an allowance of two bounces before returning the ball. It can be played in both singles and doubles formats, with matches often including both wheelchair and able-bodied players in “one-up, one-down” matches.
Other Formats: Informal formats like Canadian doubles (three players, with one against a doubles team) and Australian doubles (rotation between singles and doubles play) are played recreationally but are not recognised in official competitions.

Competitions

Grand Slam Tournaments: The four major tournaments—Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open—are held annually and feature singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events. These are considered the highest level of competition in tennis.
ATP and WTA Tours: The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) run annual tours for men and women. These tours include different levels of tournaments, such as the ATP Masters 1000, WTA 1000, ATP 500, and ATP 250, each offering ranking points and prize money.
Davis Cup and Fed Cup: These are international team competitions. The Davis Cup is for men’s teams, and the Fed Cup is for women’s teams. Countries compete in matches throughout the year, leading to a final competition to determine the world champion team.
Olympic Games: Tennis is part of the Summer Olympics, where players compete for medals in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Olympic tennis is held every four years.
Challenger and ITF Futures Tournaments: These lower-level competitions are for players aiming to improve their rankings. The Challenger Tour offers more ranking points and prize money than the Futures tournaments, which are the entry-level for professional players.
Junior Competitions: Organised by the ITF, junior tournaments allow young players to compete at an international level. Major junior events include the junior versions of the Grand Slams, providing a pathway to professional tennis.
Wheelchair Tennis Tournaments: Wheelchair tennis competitions follow similar structures to able-bodied tournaments, with Grand Slam events and international competitions, including the Paralympics.
Exhibition Matches: These are friendly, non-ranking matches, often played for charity or promotional purposes. Exhibition matches allow players to compete without ranking pressure.