Sport
Tennis
- players
- 2–4
- minutes
- 90
- years
- 6+
In the box
Rackets, balls, a net
Box details
- Origin
- Traditional game, with no specific designer or publisher
- Mechanics
- DexterityReal-TimeTeam-Based
Where to buy it
Near you
In a shop
Within 50 km.
The basics
One or two players on each side of the net hit the ball back and forth, and it may bounce only once on each side; the server has two attempts per point. Points in a game go 15, 30, 40, game, with a two-point lead, and a set is won at six games with a two-game lead, or by a tie-break at 6-6. The match is won by taking two sets, three in men’s Grand Slam tournaments.
The rules, step by step
Setup
1 or 2 players a side, 2 serving attempts
- One or two players on each side of a net, on clay, grass or hard court.
- The server has two attempts per point.
How to play
Diagonal serve, 1 bounce per side, Change ends on odd games
- The serve is made diagonally, from behind the baseline.
- The ball may bounce only once on each side.
- Players change ends after every odd number of games.
Scoring
15, 30, 40, game, 6-game set, 2-game lead, Tie-break at 6-6
- Points in a game are counted 15, 30, 40, then game, with a two-point lead.
- At 40-all, it is deuce: you need two points in a row, advantage then game.
- A set is won at six games with a two-game lead. At 6-6, a tie-break is played to 7 points with a two-point lead.
End of the game
2 sets to win, 3 in men's Grand Slam
- The match is best of three sets, or best of five in men's Grand Slam tournaments.
House rules and pitfalls
The counter tracks games and sets rather than 15-30-40: at the pace of a point every twenty seconds…
- The counter tracks games and sets rather than 15-30-40: at the pace of a point every twenty seconds, nobody picks up their phone.
Going further
Variants · Frequently asked questions · In the same family
Variants
Format
Best of three sets
Best of five sets
Count games
One point per game won, for a single set.
choose them when you start a game: the scorer adapts
Frequently asked questions
How are points counted?
In a game: 15, 30, 40, game. At 40-40 (deuce), you need two points in a row (advantage then game). Six games with a two-game lead make a set.
What is a tie-break?
At 6 games all, a tie-break is played to 7 points (with a two-point lead) to decide the set. Some tournaments also use it in the final set.
How many serves do you get?
Two. A first fault leaves a second serve; a double fault gives the point to the opponent. The serve goes diagonally, into the opposite service box.
How many bounces are allowed?
Only one: the ball may touch the ground only once on your side before being returned. You can also take it on the volley, without a bounce.
How many sets to win?
Two sets (best of three), or three (best of five) in the major men's tournaments.