Tennis Common Misconceptions

Tennis may appear to be a simple sport with just a ball, racket, and net. However, the rules of tennis are more complex than you might know. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about tennis and its rules.

You can read more detailed misconceptions here.

The Player Loses a Point if the Ball Hits His/Her Racket Twice During the Stroke

Although you may think that the tennis racket can only hit the ball once during a stroke it is not true. The racket is allowed to hit the ball multiple times as long as the swing itself is continuous.

If the swing is not continuous and the player deliberately hits the ball twice during the stroke the shot is ruled illegal and the player loses the point.

The Player Loses a Point if the Ball hits the Net

The player doesn’t automatically lose the point if his/her shot hits the net. If a player hits the ball via the net and it falls to the opponent’s side of the court the shot is ruled legal and the play continues. However, the ball must also land within the boundaries of the court as well, for example in the singles game the ball must land between the singles’ sidelines.

The Ball is Out if it Lands on the Line

The ball is ruled in as long as some part of the ball lands on the line. However, the ball must have fallen on the correct line depending on the game format. For example in a singles game, the ball can land on the singles’ sidelines but not on the doubles’ sidelines.

A Serve Is Invalid If It Hits The Net

If a player’s serve hits the net and the ball doesn’t fall into an opponent’s diagonal service box the serve is ruled invalid and the player loses a serve attempt.

If a player’s serve hits the net and the ball falls into an opponent’s diagonal service box the serve is ruled as a let. Let means that the serving player doesn’t lose his/her serve attempt.

Tennis Balls Must Be Yellow

According to the International Tennis Federation, official tennis balls have to be yellow or white. Yellow is generally the most popular color because it is more visible than white.

Change of Ends After Each Set

Players change ends at the end of each set’s first, third, and subsequent odd game. Players also change ends at the end of every set if the total number of games in that set is odd. For example, if a set ends 6-3 players change ends for the next set.

Otherwise, if the total number of games in the set is even players do not change ends and start the next set from the same ends.

Calling Balls on the Opponent’s Side

In tennis, it is good to remember that players make calls on balls that land on their own side when not playing professional matches. One cannot call a ball that lands on the opponent’s side of the court.

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