How to Play Tennis: Complete Beginner's Guide to Rules, Scoring & Tips (2026)
Learning how to play tennis is one of the best decisions you can make. Tennis is a sport you can enjoy at any age, at any fitness level, and for the rest of your life. The basics are straightforward to pick up — and once you’re hooked, the depth of the game keeps you improving for years. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about how to play tennis: the court, equipment, rules, scoring, serving, strokes, and tips to get started fast in 2026.
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See All Coaching Programs →What Is Tennis?
Tennis is a racket sport played on a rectangular court divided by a net. It can be played as singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side), indoors or outdoors, on a variety of surfaces. The objective is simple: hit the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court in a way they cannot return it. The player or team that wins enough points, games, and sets wins the match.
Tennis was invented in Birmingham, England in the 1870s and is now one of the most popular sports in the world, with over 87 million players across 200+ countries.
Tennis Equipment: What You Need
To learn how to play tennis, you need minimal equipment to get started:
- Tennis racket: Choose a lightweight racket with a large head size (100+ sq in) for maximum forgiveness as a beginner. Best beginner tennis rackets — Prince, Head & Wilson →
- Tennis balls: Standard pressurised tennis balls for hard and clay courts. Top tennis balls — Wilson, Penn & Dunlop →
- Tennis shoes: Court shoes with lateral support are essential — never play in running shoes. Best tennis shoes men → • Best tennis shoes women →
- Tennis court: Most public parks, sports centres, and clubs have courts available to book. Find tennis courts near you →
The Tennis Court
Understanding the court is the first step in learning how to play tennis:
- Court size: 23.77 m x 8.23 m (singles) or 23.77 m x 10.97 m (doubles)
- Net height: 0.914 m (3 ft) at the centre, 1.07 m (3 ft 6 in) at the posts
- Baseline: The back line — where most rallies are played from
- Service boxes: Two boxes on each side of the net where the serve must land
- No man’s land: The mid-court area between the baseline and service line — avoid lingering here
- Surfaces: Hard court (most common), clay (slower), grass (fastest)
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How to Play Tennis: The Basic Rules
The Serve
Every point starts with a serve. Here’s how it works when learning how to play tennis:
- The server stands behind the baseline on the right side (deuce court) for the first point
- The serve must land in the diagonal service box on the other side of the net
- The server gets two attempts — a first serve and a second serve
- Missing both serves is a double fault — the opponent wins the point
- If the serve clips the net and lands in, it’s a let — the serve is replayed
- The server alternates sides (right then left) after each point
Rallying
After the serve, players rally — hitting the ball back and forth over the net. Key rules:
- The ball must bounce once before you return it (unless you volley at the net)
- The ball must land within the court boundaries — on or inside the lines
- If the ball hits the net and falls on your side, you lose the point
- If the ball bounces twice before you hit it, you lose the point
Winning a Point
You win a point when your opponent:
- Hits the ball into the net
- Hits the ball out of bounds
- Lets the ball bounce twice
- Hits the ball before it bounces on their side (unless volleying)
- Double faults on the serve
How to Score in Tennis
Scoring is one of the most important things to understand when learning how to play tennis. Tennis uses a unique scoring system:
Points Within a Game
- 0 points = Love
- 1 point = 15
- 2 points = 30
- 3 points = 40
- 4 points = Game (if leading by 2 or more)
If both players reach 40-40, it’s called deuce. From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points — first winning the advantage, then the game. If they lose the advantage point, it goes back to deuce.
Games and Sets
- First to win 6 games wins the set (must win by 2)
- If the set reaches 6-6, a tiebreak is played (first to 7 points, win by 2)
- Most recreational matches are best of 3 sets — first to win 2 sets wins the match
- Grand Slam men’s matches are best of 5 sets
Basic Tennis Strokes to Learn
Once you understand how to play tennis from a rules perspective, these are the key strokes to develop:
The Forehand
The forehand is the most natural stroke for most beginners — hit with your dominant hand on the same side as the ball. It’s the foundation of your game and the shot you’ll hit most often. Focus on a relaxed grip, good footwork to get into position, and a smooth swing from low to high.
The Backhand
The backhand is hit on the opposite side to your dominant hand. It can be played with one hand or two hands on the grip. Most beginners find the two-handed backhand easier to control. The two-handed backhand gives you more stability and power while you’re developing your technique.
The Serve
The serve is the most technically complex stroke in tennis — but as a beginner, focus on consistency over power. A simple flat serve that lands in reliably is far more valuable than a powerful serve that double faults. Toss the ball slightly in front and to the right (for right-handers), reach up fully, and swing through the ball.
The Volley
A volley is hit before the ball bounces — typically at the net. Keep your racket in front of you, use a short punching motion, and let the ball’s pace do the work. Volleys are about placement and touch, not power.
The Overhead Smash
The smash is hit when the ball is above your head — similar to a serve motion. It’s used to put away high balls and lobs. As a beginner, focus on getting into position early and making clean contact rather than hitting with maximum power.
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Tennis Tips for Beginners
- Watch the ball: Keep your eyes on the ball all the way to your strings — most beginner errors come from looking up too early
- Get to the ball early: Good footwork is more important than a perfect swing. Move your feet first, then swing
- Aim for the middle of the net: The net is lowest at the centre — aim there to maximise your margin for error
- Keep the ball in play: Consistency beats power at beginner level. The player who makes fewer mistakes wins most points
- Use a continental grip for the serve: The continental grip (like holding a hammer) is the foundation of a good serve and volley game
- Bend your knees: Stay low and athletic — bent knees give you balance, power, and the ability to move quickly in any direction
- Take lessons: Even 3–5 lessons with a qualified coach will accelerate your development dramatically compared to self-teaching
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Play Tennis
How long does it take to learn how to play tennis?
Most beginners can learn the basic rules of how to play tennis and sustain a short rally within their first few sessions. Developing real competence — being able to play a full match comfortably — typically takes 3–6 months of regular practice. Tennis is a sport where you keep improving for years, which is part of what makes it so rewarding.
Is tennis hard to learn?
Tennis has a steeper learning curve than sports like pickleball or padel, mainly because of the serve and the larger court. But the basics of how to play tennis — rallying, scoring, and enjoying a game — are accessible to complete beginners within a few sessions. The key is to start with a good racket, proper shoes, and ideally a few lessons.
What is the scoring in tennis?
Tennis scoring goes: Love (0), 15, 30, 40, Game. If both players reach 40, it’s deuce — a player must then win two consecutive points to win the game. Sets are first to 6 games (tiebreak at 6-6). Matches are typically best of 3 sets. See our full tennis scoring guide →
What equipment do I need to start playing tennis?
To start learning how to play tennis you need a racket, tennis balls, and court shoes. A beginner racket with a large head size (100+ sq in) is the best starting point. Avoid cheap unbranded rackets — they hinder development and can cause arm problems. See our best beginner tennis rackets guide →
Can I learn tennis on my own?
You can learn the basics of how to play tennis on your own by hitting against a wall or backboard, but lessons with a qualified coach will accelerate your development significantly. Even a few sessions with a pro will fix fundamental technique issues that are very hard to self-correct.
