Every tennis point begins with a serve, but the rules governing that serve are more specific than simply hitting the ball over the net. The server must stand in the correct position, send the ball into the correct service box and avoid faults such as touching the wrong area before striking the ball. Understanding these calls makes live tennis much easier to follow.
Table of Contents- Where the serve must land
- First serve and second serve
- What is a fault?
- What is a double fault?
- What is a let on serve?
- Foot faults
- Why service rules vary slightly by competition
- How to follow a service sequence
Where the serve must land
The serve is hit diagonally into the opponent’s service box. The server alternates the side from which the serve is struck according to the score and must serve from within the prescribed serving position. The target box changes from point to point, which is why players move from one side of the baseline to the other.
First serve and second serve
A player normally has two opportunities to deliver a legal serve for each point. If the first attempt is a fault, the player gets another attempt. A second fault results in a double fault and the receiver wins the point. The two-serve system is a fundamental part of ordinary tennis scoring.
What is a fault?
A fault is a serve that does not meet the applicable service requirements. It can happen because the ball misses the correct service box, the server commits a foot fault, or another rule governing the delivery is breached. A fault on the first serve does not immediately lose the point; it normally produces a second-serve opportunity.
What is a double fault?
A double fault occurs when both serving attempts for the point are faults. The result is the loss of the point. Double faults appear in match statistics and are often used as one indicator of serving difficulty, although the number alone does not describe the quality of a player’s entire service performance.
What is a let on serve?
A let can occur when a served ball that is otherwise a legal service is affected by a permitted circumstance, such as the ball touching the net and then landing correctly under the applicable rules. The precise rule and replay procedure should be checked against the current Rules of Tennis.
Foot faults
The server must remain within the prescribed area while beginning the service motion. A foot fault is called when the player violates the relevant positioning requirements. The important point for viewers is that the serve can be called a fault even when the ball lands in the correct service box.
Why service rules vary slightly by competition
The core Rules of Tennis are consistent, but tournaments can use different approved procedures, technologies or local competition regulations. Professional events may also use electronic line calling and other officiating systems. The current ITF rules and tournament regulations are the appropriate references when a disputed call matters.
How to follow a service sequence
When watching a game, first identify the server, then note whether it is a first or second serve. A legal serve starts the rally. A fault creates another opportunity when it is the first fault; a double fault ends the point. Once the serve lands legally, normal rally rules take over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a player step on the baseline while serving?
The server must comply with the positioning requirements in the Rules of Tennis; violating them can result in a foot fault.
What happens after a first-serve fault?
The server normally receives a second-serve opportunity for the same point.
Does a double fault count as a point for the receiver?
Yes. A double fault results in the server losing the point.