Tennis is a sport played between two players Tennis is a sport played between two players (singles) or between two teams of two players (singles) or between two teams of two players each (doubles). Each player uses a strung each (doubles). Each player uses a strung racquet to strike a hollow rubber ball covered racquet to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt (most of the time Optic Yellow,but can with felt (most of the time Optic Yellow,but can be any color or even two-tone) over a net into be any color or even two-tone) over a net into the opponent’s court.the opponent’s court.

The modern game of tennis originated in the The modern game of tennis originated in the UnitedKingdom in the late 19th century as UnitedKingdom in the late 19th century as "lawn tennis’’."lawn tennis’’.

Tennis as the modern sport can be dated to two Tennis as the modern sport can be dated to two separate roots. Between 1859 and 1865, Major separate roots. Between 1859 and 1865, Major Harry Gem and his friend Augurio Perera Harry Gem and his friend Augurio Perera developed a game that combined elements of developed a game that combined elements of rackets similar to the game of Poona or Badminton rackets similar to the game of Poona or Badminton many British soldiers brought from being many British soldiers brought from being stationed in India and the Basque ball game stationed in India and the Basque ball game pelota, which they played on Perera's croquet pelota, which they played on Perera's croquet lawn in Birmingham, United Kingdom. In 1872, lawn in Birmingham, United Kingdom. In 1872, along with two local doctors, they founded the along with two local doctors, they founded the world's first tennis club in Leamington Spa. The world's first tennis club in Leamington Spa. The Courier of July 23, 1884 recorded one of the first Courier of July 23, 1884 recorded one of the first tennis tournaments, held in the grounds of tennis tournaments, held in the grounds of Shrubland Hall.Shrubland Hall.

The first championships at Wimbledon in The first championships at Wimbledon in London were played in 1877.On May 21, London were played in 1877.On May 21, 1881, the United States National Lawn 1881, the United States National Lawn Tennis Association (now the United States Tennis Association (now the United States Tennis Association) was formed to Tennis Association) was formed to standardize the rules and organize standardize the rules and organize competitions.competitions.

Tennis is played on a rectangular, flat surface, Tennis is played on a rectangular, flat surface, usually grass, clay, or a hardcourt of concrete usually grass, clay, or a hardcourt of concrete and/or asphalt. The court is 78 feet (23.77 m) long, and/or asphalt. The court is 78 feet (23.77 m) long, and its width is 27 feet (8.23 m) for singles and its width is 27 feet (8.23 m) for singles matches and 36 ft (10.97 m) for doubles matches. matches and 36 ft (10.97 m) for doubles matches. Additional clear space around the court is required Additional clear space around the court is required in order for players to reach overrun balls. A net is in order for players to reach overrun balls. A net is stretched across the full width of the court, stretched across the full width of the court, parallel with the baselines, dividing it into two parallel with the baselines, dividing it into two equal ends. The net is 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m) equal ends. The net is 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m) high at the posts and 3 feet (91.4 cm) high in the high at the posts and 3 feet (91.4 cm) high in the center.center.

Court

LinesLines

The lines that delineate The lines that delineate the width of the court are the width of the court are called the baseline called the baseline (farthest back) and the (farthest back) and the service line (middle of the service line (middle of the court). The short mark in court). The short mark in the center of each baseline the center of each baseline is referred to as either the is referred to as either the hash mark or the center hash mark or the center mark. The outermost lines mark. The outermost lines that make up the length that make up the length are called the doubles are called the doubles sidelines.sidelines.

ScoringScoringA tennis match is composed of a A tennis match is composed of a number of sets. Typically for both number of sets. Typically for both men's and women's matches, the men's and women's matches, the first player win two sets wins the first player win two sets wins the match. At certain important tennis match. At certain important tennis tournaments for men, including all tournaments for men, including all four Grand Slam tournaments and four Grand Slam tournaments and the final of the Olympic Games, the the final of the Olympic Games, the first man to win three sets wins the first man to win three sets wins the match. A set consists of games, match. A set consists of games, and games, in turn, consist of and games, in turn, consist of points.points.

ShotsShots

A competent tennis A competent tennis player has eight player has eight basic shots in his or basic shots in his or her repertoire: the her repertoire: the serve, forehand, serve, forehand, backhand, volley, backhand, volley, half-volley, half-volley, overhead smash, overhead smash, drop shot, and lob. drop shot, and lob.

Rafael Nadal Parera (born Rafael Nadal Parera (born June 3, 1986) is a Spanish June 3, 1986) is a Spanish professional tennis player professional tennis player who has been ranked who has been ranked World No. 1 since August World No. 1 since August 18, 2008. He has won five 18, 2008. He has won five Grand Slam singles titles Grand Slam singles titles and the 2008 Olympic and the 2008 Olympic gold medal in singles. He gold medal in singles. He has captured the last four has captured the last four French Open singles titles, French Open singles titles, joining Björn Borg in 2008 joining Björn Borg in 2008 as the only men to have as the only men to have won four consecutive won four consecutive singles titles there. In singles titles there. In 2008, Nadal became the 2008, Nadal became the second Spaniard to win second Spaniard to win Wimbledon. Nadal is the Wimbledon. Nadal is the only player in the open era only player in the open era to have won the French to have won the French Open, the London Queen's Open, the London Queen's club, and Wimbledon in club, and Wimbledon in the same year.the same year.