The rules of playing tennis briefly. Tennis betting: what you need to know? Notation in tennis

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Rules of playing tennis briefly

  Modern rules of tennis, adopted in 2009

For short, it is called ITF. It is this governing body that sets the Rules.

What should be the “correct” court for playing tennis?

The dimensions of the rectangular court are firmly defined: for a single game - 23 meters 77 centimeters in length, 8 meters 23 centimeters in width; pairs competitions are held on a court whose width increases to 10 meters 97 centimeters.

Exactly in the middle, the court is divided by a net suspended on a cord or cable. The mounting height is 10 meters and seven centimeters.

The height of the mesh is fixed by a central, tightly tensioned belt. The belt and braid at the top edge of the net can only be white.

All marking lines must be made in a contrasting color so that they are clearly visible. It should be noted that the color of the court is not regulated by the rules. The red courts of Roland Garros or the green grass of Wimbledon equally have a right to exist.

The width of the marking lines ranges from 2.5 to 5 centimeters. Only the back line can be up to 10 centimeters wide.

  Permanent court accessories

The rules include spectators as permanent fixtures of the court. And it is right! How to play without loyal fans?

Why did Andrew Murray win at Wimbledon? Because the whole United Kingdom was rooting for him, and members of the royal family, the Prime Minister of England, and celebrity friends were present in the spectator stands.

  In addition to spectators, there must be a wide variety of objects on the court:

Side and rear guards. Advertising boards are placed on them.

The referee's tower and the judge on it, on the lines, at the net and near the serving player.

Spectator stands equipped with seats for spectators.

  To play tennis, in addition to the court, you need balls and rackets

The rules regarding balls are set out in Appendix 1. The decision on the choice of balls for the tournament is made by the competition organizers, who must announce in advance the number of balls for the match and the order in which they will be changed.

If it becomes less elastic during the point, the point is not replayed. If during the game the ball bursts, then replay is possible. In general, tournament balls are selected from the list given in the official ITF document.

   – the main weapon of a tennis player

  Requirements for rackets are set out in Appendix 2 of the current Rules.

Only one set of strings is used to create the hitting surface of the racket.

They are tensioned only in one plane.

They can be placed on the strings of the racket, but not in the areas where the strings are intertwined.

A player can only use one racket at a time.

Any sources of additional energy built into the racket that affect playing performance are prohibited.

Otherwise, players are free to use rackets from any manufacturer. By the way, for top-class players, custom-made rackets are created, taking into account the anatomical features and playing characteristics of each athlete.

  How to keep score in tennis

In tennis, a special system is used to keep scores. The game of ball with rackets officially appeared in the UK, therefore it retains the scoring system adopted in this country.

The main goal of a match between two tennis players or two pairs of players is to throw the ball to the opponent’s side in such a way that the opponent cannot hit it over the net. it just divides the court in half.

  Tennis uses a three-stage scoring system

The match is divided into sets, that is, games.

Each set is in turn divided into games.

There is a scoring process within the game.

Every game starts with a serve. The right to serve is constantly transferred from one player to another. Moreover, the serving player can replay the serve once if the first time the ball from his hit hit the service line or hit the net.

The second unsuccessful serve is counted in favor of the opponent. The serving player is behind the back and near the center line, that is, the marking that divides the court lengthwise into two equal parts.

The first serve must be made from a position to the right of the center line. The player then moves from the center to the other side. Consequently, when serving, the ball is sent to the diagonally opposite corner of the opponent’s field.

  What is game

Translated into Russian, “game” is just a game! At the beginning of the game the score is zero. A won serve is worth 15 points, a lost serve is the same 15 points, but for the opponent. The second serve gives another 15, and the third 10.

If one player has 40 points and another has 30 or less, then the next successful play leads to the player winning the game.

If the score is 40-40, then a successful next serve gives an advantage. The player with the advantage wins the game if his next serve is a winner.

  How many games in a set

Scoring in a set goes up to 6 wins. However, if the score is 6-5, then another game cannot be avoided; with a score of 7-5, the set ends, and with a score of 6-6, the dispute is resolved in a tiebreaker.

  Tiebreaker - a game that resolves a dispute

The game in this case will last until a two-point advantage is gained. The serving player makes one serve first, while the opponent has the right to two.

The changeover in the tiebreaker occurs after two serves, the first tennis player to score 7, with a difference of 2 points, is the winner. The venues in the tiebreaker change after 6 points are scored.

And the very last set in the match is played without a tiebreaker.

  Features of a tennis match

Matches can consist of three sets or five. In the first case, the player who wins two sets wins, and in the second, three.

The lines on the court are extremely important. A serving player who steps behind the baseline commits a violation: he plays on another field. A line on a tennis court is considered a field.

During a serve, the ball can only be hit after it has bounced off the court, but during play, balls can also be hit in flight. A ball that hits a player is not counted.

A tennis player is also prohibited from touching the net or stand with his body or racket and hitting the ball that is behind the net line, that is, on the opponent’s field.

  Why does scoring start at 15?

The traditional English scoring system in tennis is rumored to have French roots. In medieval French monasteries, such calculation was “tied” to dividing the day into 24 hours.

The monks probably glanced every now and then at the dial of the clock on the tower so as not to miss the time of prayer or meal. The game could be played up to 60 points - a full circle of the dial. A quarter of an hour is 15 minutes, that is, points.

Over time, the number of games in the set was reduced to 6, and the awkward and not very nice-sounding number “45” was replaced by the short and elegant “40”. That’s how they think now: 15-30-40!

  Tennis match statistics are a source of valuable information

Statistics, in general, is a serious and important science. However, it is often difficult to discern the truth behind the forest of figures, numbers and incomprehensible terms.

In order to understand in a couple of minutes of looking at statistical data why one player beat another in this particular match, you need to understand the specifics of tennis rules and terminology.

  What is ace and why do they need to be counted?

Tennis players call an ace a serve, but not just any serve, but one that goes right through. A large number of points obtained from aces indicates the quality of the game.

There are two options: either the serving player is a virtuoso of a “cannon” serve that cannot be “taken,” or the receiving player is not in the best shape.

  Double faults in the game

This term refers to a situation where a player, having made an unsuccessful serve, makes a mistake a second time. In this case, a double fault is declared and the player loses the point.

A large number of double faults indicates the player’s condition, or at least indicates his excitement.

  Two types of errors: forced and unforced

Forced mistakes are those made because the opponent's shot was too good. Such errors are considered “good”.

Unforced errors are considered "bad" errors because they are committed by a player while in full possession of the ball.

By the way, the speed of the court affects the number of unforced errors made, because relatively slow surfaces provide more time to prepare a shot and allow you to reach the desired point on time. A tennis player takes less risks, and therefore makes fewer mistakes.

Although the different types of unforced errors differ from each other. It’s one thing when a player gives a point to an opponent without a fight, it’s another when even the most offensive “blunders” happen after a series of excellent shots.

Maybe the tennis player’s breathing was out of breath at that moment after actively running back and forth across the court, and it was this that affected the stroke, and not the general class of the player.

In general, we can say that anything a player loses is automatically considered either an opponent's winner or an unforced error.

Consequently, statistics on the number of rallies, winners and unforced errors provide a fairly complete picture of the course of the match.

  The role of the referees on the court

The highest authority for resolving all controversial issues is the chief referee on the court. His decision is not subject to discussion and is final.

The chair umpire decides matters relating to everything that actually happened on the court during the match. If the players do not agree with the decision of the chair umpire, then they have the right to call the head umpire.

Line judges and net judges monitor the events taking place in these zones, they make decisions on whether to step or touch the net. The decisions of these umpires are controlled by the chair umpire.

The referee or chair umpire has the right to interrupt play due to poor visibility, unsuitable weather or unsatisfactory court conditions.

They also monitor compliance with the Player Code of Conduct, the continuity of the game, and determine the need for electronic review of a controversial moment of the game.

Tennis is one of the most popular sports in the modern world. Every day there are many tournaments with different prize pools: from 15 thousand dollars to 2.5 million in American currency. The first rackets of the world

familiar to the whole world, they are the faces of corporations producing sporting goods. Everyone knows Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and other famous tennis players. The first tennis competitions took place back in 1884, since then the game has developed, and the rules of tennis have constantly changed. In this article we will talk about them.

A tennis match involves two opponents or two teams of two people. Both men's and women's singles and doubles competitions are held. Championships among mixed teams are also common.

The rules of tennis state that the ball must be put into play by serving with the racket of one of the players. The right to serve passes from one opponent to another in order of rotation. When serving the ball, the player must hit a special part of the court. And the receiver must not allow the ball to hit the surface in his half of the court more than once. Tennis players are given 20-25 seconds to put the ball into play.

Games are divided into points, games and sets. To win a game, according to the rules of tennis, a player must score 15-30-40 points and win another draw. If the score in the game becomes equal to 40-40, then the players continue to play until the difference is two draws won. That is, if one of the players wins the serve, then he is assigned the letter “A” - Advantage, after which he needs to win one more time in the game.

In order to win the entire set, a player needs to score six points. If the score becomes equal to 5:5, the players continue to play until the difference is two games. If the score becomes 6:6, then a tiebreaker is assigned, in which 7 innings are played. The number of sets may vary depending on the tournament and the gender of the participants. For example, as a rule, women play less than 3 sets, while for men this number can reach up to five, and the match itself often lasts more than four hours. After three sets in men's matches and two sets in women's matches, a break of ten minutes is announced - this is what the rules of tennis say.

If a player believes that the ball went over the court line, and the referees missed this moment, he can ask for a “challenge”, in which, using a hawk-eye video replay, it will be proven whether the ball hit the court or not. In addition, in tennis there is a chair umpire, it is he who is guided by the rules of tennis and makes the appropriate verdict. He is assisted by the line judges, who also determine whether the ball has gone or not.

The rules of tennis are written not only for players and judges. There are also For example, shouting and any interference with athletes is considered bad form on the part of fans. And among tennis players, regular practice is also considered a manifestation of arrogance and disrespect, despite the fact that this is just a sports game. Big tennis in its history is replete with unforgivable emotional outbursts on the part of players.

The best way to understand and experience all the rules and subtleties of the game is to play tennis yourself. A tennis school is present in almost every city, which simplifies the search for a court and a partner of the appropriate level.

Modern tennis has the official name lawn tennis (English “lawn” - “lawn” and “tennis”), a sports game with a ball and rackets on a special area (court) divided by a net. The goal of the game is to hit the ball with a racket to the opponent's half so that he cannot hit it or hits it in violation of the rules. Tennis matches consist of sets (sets), and sets - of games. The winner of the match is the one who wins two games (out of three) or three (out of five). Tennis competitions include singles (men's and women's) and doubles (men's, women's and mixed); personal, team and personal-team. Tennis is an Olympic sport.

Tennis competitions are held on courts - rectangular areas with different types of coverage: dirt (made of a special clay-sand mixture), grass and artificial (asphalt, wood, plastic, etc.).

The dimensions of the singles court are 23.77 x 8.23 ​​m. The court, marked by boundary lines (back and side), is surrounded by so-called runs. The court is divided in half by a net made of strong thin cords, which is attached at a height of 91.4 cm (along the top edge) in the middle of the court, and at a height of 107 cm at the posts on which it is supported. The service lines are located parallel to the net at a distance of 6.4 m from it. The space between the service line and the net is divided by the longitudinal center line into so-called service fields, or squares. This is where tennis players direct the ball when serving.

The width of the court for doubles is 10.97 m. This is its only difference from the court for singles; all other parameters of the courts are completely the same. The space between the inner (for singles) and outer (for doubles) side lines forms the so-called corridor. In a double team game, hitting the ball into the corridor is considered to be hitting the court; in such a situation, single players are considered to be out.

The surface of the court has a significant impact on the nature of the game. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has a special working group that studies the properties of various court surfaces. All courts are divided into “fast” and “slow”. “Fast” - courts with a hard surface that provides a sharp and low rebound of the ball. Such courts are more suitable for tennis players who prefer to serve and then reach the net. “Slow” courts (courts with various types of soft surfaces) are characterized by a high ball bounce. Such courts are preferred by “back line players”, i.e. tennis players who like to play long-distance with prepared shots, which are known to take longer.

A tennis racket consists of a handle (handle) and a rim on which strings are stretched: natural or artificial. Rackets are made of wood, metal, carbon fiber and other materials. The length of the racket including the handle should be no more than 81.3 cm. Depending on the weight, tennis rackets are divided into several categories: from ultra-light (up to 350 g), designated UL, to H, i.e. heavy (over 400 g). Rackets also differ in handle sizes; these sizes are designated by corresponding numbers: from N3 (thin) to N7 and N8 (thick). According to the shape of the rim, rackets are spade-shaped and teardrop-shaped, and according to their playing properties - hard and soft. Another important technical characteristic of a racquet is its balance, or center of gravity. The balance can be neutral, offset to the crown or offset to the handle. The choice of racket depends on the age, gender, level of training and other data of the “owner”. For example, heavy rackets are suitable only for physically developed people. In addition to the usual ones, special children's ones are produced, i.e. designed for players under 16 years of age, rackets (their characteristic feature is a shortened handle) and junior (16-19 years old) rackets, characterized by a slightly simplified design.

Modern tennis originated as a form of indoor tennis that had its own long history.

Various games with a small ball, which was thrown to each other, hit with a hand, etc., were known back in ancient times. Thus, in ancient Rome there was a game called “trigon”, which survived in the territory of modern Italy even after the fall of the empire.

France is considered the birthplace of modern tennis (there is an assumption that the word “tennis” itself comes from the French “tenez” - “here you go, take it!”). In the monasteries of France back in the 11th century. there was a known game called “jeu de paume”, i.e. palm game. At first, the players actually played with their hands, but over time they “armed themselves” with rackets, although they only took on their familiar form to us in the 16th century. Jeu de paume was extremely popular in France. According to some sources, by the beginning of the 17th century. in Paris alone there were several hundred “ball houses”, and in 1610 the manufacturers of balls and rackets united into an independent guild.

Currently, about 200 international competitions among professionals and more than 2,500 tournaments among amateurs are held annually.

Rules, technique and tactics of the game.

Tennis is not only one of the oldest, but also one of the most “conservative” games. Its first official rules, adopted back in the 1970s, have not undergone fundamental changes since then.

The scoring of each point begins with a serve, which is made from behind the service line: the first - from the right side, the second - from the left, etc. Each time the ball is served diagonally, it must hit the appropriate service field on the opponent's side. The server does not have the right to serve the ball on the move and step on the service line. If the ball hits the net, but at the same time enters the service field on the opponent’s side, a second attempt is allowed. If it turns out to be unsuccessful, the server is given a double fault and loses the point. The receiver must hit the ball into the opponent's half. Hitting the ball is allowed after its first bounce from the court (or before the bounce), the second consecutive landing of the ball leads to the loss of a point. The player also loses a point if he fails to hit the ball after an opponent’s hit or sends it into touch.

The main components of tennis technique are running, gripping the racket and hitting the ball. Tracking the ball and opponent and choosing the right position on the court are also extremely important.

The basis of the basics is the tennis step, i.e. a way for a tennis player to move around the court. In modern tennis there are: regular, cross (or surrounding) and side steps. The choice of step is determined by the playing situation and the location of the tennis player on the court.

In tennis, a three-stage scoring system is adopted in a match. The entire game is divided into sets (or games), games - into games, within which there is a separate scoring. For the first and second serves, 15 points are awarded, for the third - 10, and the fourth win means victory in the game. When the score is 40:40 (“exactly”), further scoring goes to “over or under.” In this case, it is no longer the number of points scored by the players that is important, but the difference in the score. The game continues until the advantage of one of the opponents is two points, i.e. winning another point with the “over” means winning the game. Points in tennis are counted “from the server”: for example, 15:0 means that the first serve was won by the server himself, and 0:15 by the receiver.

The right to serve passes through the game. (In tennis, there is even a special term “holding serve”, which means the serving player wins the game.) To win a game (set), you must win at least 6 games. Previously, the rule was strictly observed that the advantage of one of the players in the set had to be at least 2 games. Currently, in most tennis tournaments this rule only applies if the score is 5:5, i.e. To win the game, one of the players needs to bring the score to 7:5. When the score is 6:6, a so-called tie-break is usually played, or a decisive game, included in the official rules of world tennis in 1975. To win a tie-break you must score 7 points. With a score of 6:6, the game - as in a regular game - continues until one of the tennis players achieves a two-point advantage. The order of serving the ball in a tiebreaker differs from a regular game: after the first served, the next two are made by another tennis player, then two more by the one who served first, etc.

To win a doubles match, you must win two games out of three. In most singles competitions the same rule applies, but in the most prestigious tournaments - such as the Davis Cup or Wimbledon - you need to win three games out of five to win the match.

The tennis term "gameball" means the decisive point in a game, "setball" - in a game, "matchball" - in a match.

Perhaps in the near future two fundamental innovations will be introduced into the tennis rules: super-tiebreakers and shortened games. If officially adopted, the super tiebreaker will be played at 1:1 (in a three-game match) or 2:2 (in a five-game match). It will replace the deciding third (or fifth) set. The first player to reach 10 points wins the super tiebreaker and the entire match (provided the score difference is at least two points).

Matches with trial shortened games have already been played in some amateur competitions. The possibility of holding similar matches at professional tournaments is currently being discussed. The match consists of five games, but to win the set it is necessary to win four (not six, as is customary now) games - with a minimum difference of two games - with a score of 4:4, a tie-break is played. Thus, the final score in a particular game could be 4:0, 4:1, 4:2, 5:3 or 5:4.

Tennis, by definition, is a gentleman's game. Nevertheless, the tennis rules provide for the disqualification of an athlete not only for non-compliance with the rules or failure to appear for a match, but also for unethical behavior during competitions that violates the gentlemanly principle of “fair play” (lit. “playing by the rules”) . Sometimes judges have to apply this point of the rules in practice. Thus, the legendary American tennis player John McEnroe, famous not only for his powerful serves, but also for his extreme intemperance on the court, managed to “earn” disqualification twice at the Grand Slam tournaments.

Tennis has one of the strangest scoring systems in the entire sports world, but it may also be the funniest form of competition. The good news is that once you learn how to determine the score, you will have no problem remembering it. Go to step 1 to learn the scoring system of the game called tennis.

Steps

Part 1

Feel the difference between a game, a set and a match. A match is a term that refers to the entire playing time in tennis. It consists of winning three or five sets (depending on your class). Each set is played to at least six winning games.

Find out how an individual game is calculated. Players serve one game at a time. As a rule, the winner is the player (or team, if you play in pairs) who wins four goals. Points are played in this way: one player serves and the other returns; The ball continues to be thrown back and forth until one of the opponents hits a strong shot or hits the net. Keep in mind that seven or even more balls can be played in a game, for example, when the first tennis player earns three and the second another four. In this case, each ball won is added to the athletes’ score:

• 1st ball won is 15 points
• 2nd ball won is 30 points
• 3rd ball won is 40 points
• The 4th ball won means the game is won (that is, its end)

1. Know how to announce the score when serving. It is the server's job to shout out the score during the match so that the opponent can hear it (unless you are playing at a professional level, where this job is carried out by the person responsible for the correct scoring). You should always say your points and then your opponent's points. For example:

   • If you win two goals and your opponent has one, then you need to announce: “30-15.”
   • If your opponent wins three goals and you are alone, then you must say: “15-40.”

2. Understand how each set is calculated. It is played until one of the players or one of the teams (in doubles) wins six games. At the beginning of the serve, you should always name the number of games won by each player or team, starting with the winning ones. For example:

   • If you have won four games and your opponent has won two, then you need to announce the score “4-2” before the start of the game with your serve (that is, when you first serve the ball rather than hitting it).

3. Be aware that in a long side-by-side game you will need to score more than two points to win. This applies to both games and sets. Here are some examples:

   • If the score in a game is 40-40, then you need to win two points in a row to win it (we'll go into more detail about this in step 3 of the next section).
   • If you both win 5 games and the score is 5-5, then you will have to win two more games in a row to make the score 7-5 and win the set.
   • If the score is 5-5 and you win the next game, the score becomes 6-5. If you lose the next game, the score is again equalized at 6-6, and you, again, will have to win 8 games to your opponent's 6 to snatch victory in the set. Some draws go up to "12-10" or even more.

4. Learn to recognize when a match is won (or lost). Depending on the league you play in, you need to win either three out of five sets or two out of three sets. Just like with games and sets, you must beat your opponent by a double margin. This means that matches can sometimes go five out of seven sets, or even seven out of nine if you and your opponent stay close on points.

   Know how to record the score after the match. You need to write the score of each set on a special card. You should always write your scores first. For example, if you win a match, your entry card should look like this:

   • 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. This means you won the first set 6-3; then lost the second set 4-6 and won the third set 6-2.

   Part 2

   Understanding the terminology

   1. Understand what the term "all" means in tennis."All" essentially means "both" in tennis lingo. If you and your opponent each win one ball, resulting in a score of "15-15", you can declare: "15-all". The same goes for sets. If you both win in three sets, then say it like this: "3-all" before you start serving.

      Find out what "love" means. And no, we're not talking about romantic or even platonic love. In tennis, the word “love” corresponds to a zero in the score. For example:

      • When you didn’t score a single point with your serve, and your opponent won two goals, then this situation can be called “love-30”.
      • The same goes for games. If you win three games and your opponent doesn’t win any, then you need to say: “3-love.”
      • At the very beginning of the game, when neither of you has scored a single point, you will be told: “love-all” (which is an excellent wish before the start of the game).

      Expert's answer

      Where did the tennis scoring system come from?

      Professional tennis player and writer

      Peter Fryer is a tennis coach and writer based in Derry, Northern Ireland. Shortly after graduating from university, he became a professional coach and taught tennis for over 13 years. He has been running the tennis blog Love Tennis Blog since 2010, collaborating with the BBC and national media.

      EXPERT ADVICE

      Peter Fryer, professional tennis player, responds: The scoring system in this game is believed to be of French origin. To count points the French used clock face, hence the numbers 15, 30, 40. 45 were not used, since this number is quite difficult to pronounce during the game. L'oeuf, which means "egg", was used for 0 and was converted to "love".

      Know what the words "deuce" and "advantage" mean. In tennis, when two players reach a 40-40 tie in a match, it is called a "deuce". There are two possible options for playing this situation: the person who wins the next draw wins, or plays on the “advantage” (the advantage of the tennis server in one draw, abbreviated as “ad”). This means that the tennis player must win both the deuce and the next one.

   2. Learn about the concepts of “ad-in” and “ad-out”. When the serving player wins with "deuce", the score becomes "ad-in" (advantage-in, meaning the server's advantage). If such a ball is won by the receiver, the score is called "ad-out". If one of the opponents wins the "deuce" hand, but fails further with "ad", then the score reverts back to "deuce".

      • For example, on your serve, you both win four balls (reaching a 40-40 tie, that is, “deuce”), then you need to serve again. Let's say you win the deuce draw and make the score ad-in. If you win the next draw, you will win the match. If you lose the ball, the score will return to an even deuce, and your opponent will have a chance to beat you and get an ad-out. At the same time, if your opponent loses ad-out, everything returns to deuce... and so on.
   • It makes sense to discuss scoring rules with your playing partner for the first time. Some tennis players ask for the score to be called after each play. Others don't want to compete with standard scoring. For example, when one plays with no ad, it eliminates the need for a two-ball advantage to win immediately after reaching 40-all.
   • If you forget the score during a game, pay attention to which half of the court you are playing on. The count that ends with "all" refers to the right side.
   • You don't have to keep score if you don't want to - sometimes you can just have some fun (bouncing the ball back and forth between players) by playing a friendly match for fun.

Modern tennis cannot be imagined without the power serve, which brings winning points and helps the player create a psychological mood for competition by putting pressure on the opponent. This article is devoted specifically to this element. We will try to find out what an ace is in tennis. Let's find out what the statistics are for the use of this element in men and women.

Making a serve

A game of tennis consists of several sets (up to 5 for men), divided into games. During each of them, the same participant performs the serve. In the next game, this right passes to the opponent. To win, he needs to consistently score 15, 30 and finally 40 points. If the score is equal, you need a gap of two winning plays. Therefore, this segment of the game can be quite long.

A well-executed first strike creates a number of advantages. Winning a game on your serve is considered natural. But taking your opponent’s serve means making a break and a serious bid to win the set. This is especially true for men who have impacts of up to 251 km/h. The official record belongs to Croatian Ivo Karlović (2011). Although in 2012, in the Challenger series games, Samuel Grog served at a speed of 263 km/h, which, by the way, did not bring him victory in the match.

What advantages does the serve give and what does an ace mean in tennis? By taking the first shot, the player has the opportunity to direct the ball to any point on the court, giving it spin if necessary. It is also able to adjust the impact force and rebound height. In other sports that use serve, an ace is considered to be any winning throw that the opponent fails to hit. In tennis - only one in which the receiver did not even manage to reach the ball with his racket. This definition is given by I. Ivitsky’s encyclopedia.

Submission Requirements

To win a rally with the first throw, you need to work out your hitting technique, gain stability and have the right mindset for the game. The grip of the racket plays a big role. Using it, the opponent tries to guess the nature of the blow. It is no different from the grip when hitting a forehand. However, with the Western style it is impossible to spin the ball, which the opponent immediately notes. The most convenient is the continental one, which opens the way for maneuver.

Amateurs often think that the force of a blow depends on the power of the hands. For top players, the muscle mass of the serving arm is indeed noticeably different, which can be seen even with the naked eye. But imparting high speed to the ball in order to make it clear to the opponent what an ace is in tennis is only possible by using the energy of the body and shoulders due to their sharp turn. It is important and correct to throw the ball to a height of 5-7 cm with a deviation to the right at arm's length. Carelessness can lead to disaster. Because insufficient height and amplitude of the throw can lead to failure of the blow. The key to success is consistency, practicing the element in training from the same position and deciding how and in which part of the court the throw will be made before the start of the serve.

The most difficult serves for an opponent

Only the top players from the top hundred are able to take serves at a speed of 200-220 km/h. Some girls can also give such acceleration to the flight of the ball. For example, the Williams sisters, Maria Sharapova, But striking force alone is not always enough. It is difficult to receive low serves that arc the ball and end up deep in the opponent's field. For the judges to count a point, it is necessary to throw it to the opponent’s side, hitting the court or line. Hitting exactly in the right place, barely touching the line, is a great art. When the ball is twisted, the opponent sometimes does not even react, expecting the ball to go out of bounds. As a result, he has to experience for himself what an ace is in tennis.

It is difficult to catch balls aimed at the opponent's body. He has to jump back to retaliate. And he doesn’t always have time to react. Sometimes the server makes a false swing, deceiving the opponent, who rushes to the opposite side of the court from the strike. It’s good if all the feints and twisting of the ball are carried out at high speed. Then winning a point is guaranteed. But if you miss the serve, you can get hit with a blow back, which is what distinguishes real great players. When performing an ace, the player ensures a quick victory in the point, but this is always risky. Each server has two attempts at his disposal. If the ball hits the net, the shot is replayed without taking into account this attempt.

What is the strategy for aces and doubles in tennis?

When investing in a serve, every player understands that it is necessary to anticipate possible errors. If both attempts are not completed, the point is awarded to the opponent. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the risk. An ace usually happens on the first serve. In case of errors - a spade, missing the court, hitting the net - the player still has the opportunity to exercise his right to re-enter the ball into play. This is usually a more careful strike. It indicates that the player's aim is off or he is physically tired.

Real masters are able to take risks on the second shot if they are lucky and a lot depends on winning the ball. Especially on set point or match point. It is impossible to play the entire match to the limit of human capabilities. Therefore, each athlete has his own strategy. It includes identifying situations in which an ace is necessary or, conversely, double faults are acceptable. If you have an advantage in the game, you can take a chance on the second serve to save time and physical strength.

Statistics are kept for each match. It includes winners (balls actively won), percentage of hits with the first ball, aces, double faults, number of break points played, points won at the net. Typically, indicators show the advantage of the winning player. Based on the results of matches, general statistics of aces in tennis are also kept. Who is the leader in this element of the game?

Best performance

The record for aces earned in a game belongs to (USA), match winner Nicolas Mahut (2010). With his 112 serves, he overtook the Croatian Ivo Karlovic, whose record was 34 fewer. This allowed the American to prevail in 92 games, which is also an absolute record. To understand what an ace is in tennis, you need to watch the matches of such masters as Goran Ivanisevic, Ivo Karlovic, Pete Sampras and Milos Raonic. Thanks to their cannon serve, they scored a thousand aces per season. The absolute record is held by the Croatian Ivo Karlovic. During his unfinished career, he has already scored 10,237 aces, breaking the record of the German Sabine Lisicki - the absolute leader in women's serve speed (more than 210 km/h). She also holds the record for the most aces in a match - 27 (2015).

Tennis betting

Tennis is a popular sport among bookmakers, which is actively bet on by fans of predictions. This is facilitated by a large number of competitions, high odds and the opportunity to bet on aces in tennis and other elements of the game described by statistics. Tennis is an individual sport, so everything depends on the player himself. By studying his strengths and weaknesses, physical condition, psychological attitude and statistics, one can make quite successful predictions.