Tennis is a popular racket sport that originated in France during the
late 19th century and has since become a global phenomenon. It is played
by two individuals (singles) or two teams of two players (doubles) on a
rectangular court, which is divided by a net. The main objective is to
hit the ball over the net and into the opponent's court in such a way
that they are unable to return it.
The game is scored in sets, with each set made up of games. Players need
to win at least six games to claim a set, and usually, a match is played
best of three or five sets. Scoring in tennis follows a unique system: 0
points is called "love," 15 points is the first score, followed by 30,
then 40, and finally, winning the game requires one point after reaching
40, unless the score reaches 40-40, which is called "deuce." From deuce,
a player must win two consecutive points to win the game.
Tennis matches are typically played on different types of surfaces, such
as grass, clay, or hard courts, each providing unique challenges for the
players. Grass courts are fast, with the ball bouncing low, while clay
courts slow the ball down, allowing for longer rallies. Hard courts
offer a balance between speed and bounce, making them the most common
surface used in professional tennis.