Starting a Singles Match
When starting a Singles match, first decide who serves in the opening game. Do this by spinning a racket or tossing a coin. Whoever wins chooses to either serve, receive, pick an end, or has the opponent decide.
After the spin-up, the players will take up their chosen court end and spend four minutes warming up their shots before starting to play the match.
Serving
The server must always begin from the right side of the centre mark and must stand behind the baseline and within an imaginary extension of the centre mark and sideline (singles or doubles).
The server must put the ball in the air by hand and then hit it with the racket before it touches the ground. The ball must cross the net and bounce within the service court diagonally opposite the server.
When the point has been played out the server then serves from the left side of the centre mark and into his opponent’s left service box.
The receiver may stand where he likes at the other end of the court to return the serve but must let the ball bounce once in the service court before making a return.
Footfaulting
When serving in a match, your feet must not touch the baseline or any part of the court before the ball has been struck. Also, your feet must not cross an imaginary extension of the centre mark.
The most common footfault occurs when you tread on the baseline with your front foot before hitting the serve.
Referee and Umpire
Players who have reached a competitive standard of play and enter an official tournament will encounter the tournament referee. It is also possible they may play a match that is umpired. The duty of the referee is to run the tournament.
He has the authority to appoint linesmen, umpires and other court officials. He will also make a final decision on any point of tennis law referred to him by an umpire or player.
On-court facts as a result of match play are the responsibility of the court umpire.
Basic tactics
The following are well worth remembering:-
- As a beginner – get the ball into the court.
- As an intermediate – hit the ball from side to side.
- As a more skillful player – hit the ball deep into the corners.
- As an advanced player – go for spin and speed.
The above tactics may seem obvious but it is very easy to forget your skill level and try for too much – the result is usually a disaster.
Tactics for returning the serve are almost the same as serving – the beginner must try to get the ball back with consistency. Then vary your return and hit away from your opponent, making him move to play the ball.
