THE SERVE

Where to stand

The server starts each game serving behind the baseline of the right hand court. He or she must put the ball into the service box diagonally opposite. The server must stand between the centre mark and an imaginary continuation of the sideline (the singles line in singles, the doubles line in doubles). The server must swap sides after each point.

Faults

The server has two attempts to get the ball in. If the ball lands outside the service box or does not clear the net or the net post, it is known as a fault. If any part of the ball touches the line, the ball is in, as shown above. After one fault the server may try again. If both tries result in faults, a double fault is called and the opponent wins the point. With service speeds up to 220 km/hr, it can be extremely difficult for line judges to tell whether a serve is in or out.

Foot faults

The server must stand behind the baseline, between the centre mark and the sideline. If her feet touch the ground inside the baseline, or the wrong side of the centre mark or the wrong side of the imaginary extension of the sideline, before the ball is struck, a foot fault is called. A foot fault is the same as a fault and the point is awarded to the opponent.

Let

A ball which clips the net and bounces inside the service box is known as a 'let'. If this happens the player is allowed to serve again. However if the ball hits the net and lands outside the service box, it is a fault. A let can also be called during any point in the match if it seems fair for a point to be played again - e.g. if there is a dispute over a line call. If the server throws the ball in the air but does not attempt a shot it is a 'let'. If the server throws the ball in the air, attempts a shot but misses, it is a fault.

Throw up

The server must put the ball in the air using their arm, not their racket. They must also hit the ball before it hits the ground. Good players usually strike the ball high above their head to gain power but there is nothing in the rules to stop a player serving underarm. Players may not run or walk while delivering the serve, but they may move their feet.

Changing ends

The players change ends at the end of the first, third, fifth game and so on until the end of the set. If the set ends and the total number of games played is even, then the players play the first game of the next set before changing ends. If the number of games played in a set is uneven, the players change ends straight away. They then carry on changing at the end of the first, third, fifth game as before.