The Game Set and Match
Date Added: May 26, 2008 02:29:26 PM
These are merely technical terms used in Tennis. The game has its own set of rules and specifications that any aspiring tennis player ought to know. Take a look at them:
The Service
The Service
- The service line is at a distance of 21 ft from the net.
- The ball is served overhead from the baseline diagonally across the net. The net is 3 ft in height at the center.
- The right half of the court is called the "forehand court" and the left half the "backhand court".
- The service area remains constant for singles and doubles play. At a time, a maximum of two services are allowed. If both are faulty, then it's a "double fault" and costs the server one point.
- If a service touches the net and lands in the correct area, a "let" or re-service is awarded to the server without any penalty.
- An "ace" is a service, which the opponent cannot touch.
The style
- After the service, the receiver must return the ball on its first bounce.
- If it lands in the opposite court then shots are exchanged till the point is won by either of the players. This entire sequence is called a "rally".
- The "volley" is a return shot taken before the ball touches the ground at a height below shoulder level.
- A "smash", on the other hand, is hit from above the head with the arm fully stretched.
The Scoring
- When announcing the scores, the server's score is given first.
- The scoring in the game is done on a four-point basis.
- The game begins with a score of 'love- all' which means that the score of both the sides is zero. The term for zero is "love" which is taken from the French term for an egg. A game in which one of the players is not able to score any points is called a "love-game" and a set, "love-set".
- The first point fetches you a score of 15. Two points get you a score of 30, three a score of 40 (also called game point), and finally four points wins the game for you.
- If there is a tie at the score of 40, its called 40-all or a "deuce". The word deuce is actually from the French deux meaning "two more to win". At this stage, if a player wins one point it is called "advantage" for that player. Now there can be two scenarios. In the first case, this player goes on to score the next point thereby winning the game. On the other hand, if his opponent scores the next point, then the game reverts to a deuce.
The set and match
- The minimum number of 'games' that make a 'set' is six. The maximum number of games in a set may extend to 12 with there being a difference of two games between the winner and the loser. If, however, there is a tie at the end of 12 games, i.e., a score of 6-6, then a 'tie-breaker' is held. In this, the chance to serve keeps alternating between the two players, instead of the serve remaining with just one side till one game finishes. The player who first wins seven points wins the game provided he or she leads by a margin of two points. If there is a tie at six points each then the game is carried on till the difference of two is reached. Instead of the normal scoring, the sequential scoring from one-point to seven or further is used for the purpose of the tie-breaker.
- Three sets are the minimum requirement for a 'match'. The game may extend to more sets, until the requirement, of the winner leading by two sets, is fulfilled.
These are the very basics of the game that you should be aware of before you step into the court. After all, the thrill of precision and excellence can only be felt when you have to perform within set parameters and not when all you do is throw your racquet or yourself around the court aimlessly.
