Tennis

Tennis is a racket sport played either individually against a single opponent (singles) or between two teams of two players each (doubles). The objective of the game is to hit a lightweight ball over a net into the opponent’s court in such a way that the opponent is unable to return it effectively. Tennis matches are conducted on various surfaces, including grass, clay, and hard courts, each affecting the ball’s behavior and gameplay dynamics.

Players score points when their opponent fails to return the ball within the designated playing area, which is divided into a series of service boxes and baselines. A match is typically played in sets, with players needing to win a certain number of games to win a set, and subsequently, a majority of sets to win the match. The sport is governed by specific rules established by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

Tennis is known for its unique scoring system, which includes points, games, and sets, as well as terminology like “love” for a score of zero. It has a rich history and is played at various levels, from recreational to professional, culminating in prestigious tournaments like the Grand Slam events: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.