Tennis is a sport played between either two players ("Singles") or two teams of two players ("doubles"). Players use a stringed racquet to strike a ball, a hollow rubber ball covered in felt, over a net into the opponent's court. In some places tennis is still called lawn tennis to distinguish it from real tennis (also known as royal tennis or court tennis), an older form of the game that is played indoors on a very different court. Originating in England in the late 19th Century, the game spread first throughout the English-speaking world, particularly among the upper classes. Tennis is now an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society, by all ages, and in many countries around the world. Except for the adoption of the tie-breaker in the 1970s, its rules have remained remarkably unchanged since the 1890s. Along with its millions of players, millions of people follow tennis as a spectator sport, especially the four Grand Slam tournaments.

Manner of play

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The court

Tennis is played on a rectangular, flat surface, usually grass, clay, or a hardcourt of concrete and/or asphalt. The court is 78 feet (23.77 m) long, and its width is 27 feet (8.23 m) for singles matches and 36 feet (10.97 m) for doubles matches. Additional clear space around the court is required in order for players to reach overrun balls. A net is stretched across the full width of the court, parallel with the baselines, dividing it into two equal ends. The net is 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m) high at the posts, and 3 feet (914 mm) high in the center.

Types of Courts

There are three main types of courts. Depending on the materials used for the court surfaces, each surface provides a difference in the speed and bounce of the ball, which in turn can affect the level of play of the individual players. The three most common types of courts that are used for play are:

• Clay court
• Grass court
• Hardcourt

Some players are clearly more successful on certain surfaces than on others and become known as, for instance, a "grass-court" or "Clay-court specialist".

More on [ Tennis ]

L.A. Times - Tennis

Turns out, all Andre Agassi needed was . . . love
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
His harrowing autobiography notwithstanding, the tennis great appears to have achieved inner peace. Steffi Graf and their kids are a big part of that. His harrowing autobiography notwithstanding, the tennis great appears to have achieved inner peace. Steffi Graf and their kids are a big part of that.
Andre Agassi and the fake mullet
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:04:47 -0800

Roger Federer loses in his hometown event
Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
Novak Djokovic wins the Swiss Indoors final at Basel Novak Djokovic wins the Swiss Indoors final at Basel.
Melanie Oudin, in Italy for the Fed Cup, happy to go unrecognized
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
The Florida teen escaped the publicity at the U.S. Open surrounding her parents and calls her time since then 'crazy.' Meanwhile, Mary Joe Fernandez puts together a U.S. team minus the Williams sister The Florida teen escaped the publicity at the U.S. Open surrounding her parents and calls her time since then 'crazy.' Meanwhile, Mary Joe Fernandez puts together a U.S. team minus the Williams sister
In more celebrity news . . .
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
Add Maria Sharapova to the list of Lakers romances Mike Bresnahan covers the Lakers for The Times and ties up loose ends on the day of his self-designated "Lakers game of the week." The Lakers play tonight at Houston:
Serena defeats Venus in final
Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
Williams bests her big sister again Sunday, winning, 6-2, 7-6 (4), in the season-ending tournament at Doha, Qatar, for her third victory of the season. Williams bests her big sister again Sunday, winning, 6-2, 7-6 (4), in the season-ending tournament at Doha, Qatar, for her third victory of the season.

BBC Sport | Tennis | UK Edition

Davydenko wins to knock out Nadal
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:48:54 -0000
World number two Rafael Nadal crashes out of the ATP World Tour Finals with a 6-1 7-6 (7-4) loss to Nikolay Davydenko.
In-form Soderling beats Djokovic
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:39:17 -0000
Robin Soderling makes the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals after seeing off defending champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
Murray primed for Verdasco clash
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:12:41 -0000
Andy Murray knows defeat in his final round-robin match against Fernando Verdasco will almost certainly send him out of the ATP World Tour Finals.
Federer enjoys return to top spot
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:36:42 -0000
Roger Federer says ending the year as world number one is one of the greatest achievements of his career.
Federer prevails against Murray
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:59:00 -0000
Roger Federer ensures he will end the year as world number one after beating Andy Murray 3-6 6-3 6-1 in the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Federer v Murray as it happened
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:30:12 -0000
World number one Roger Federer beats Andy Murray in the evening match on day three of the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

Tennis News : CBSSports.com

Soderling tops Djokovic, reaches semis at ATP Finals
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:05:00 -0500
Robin Soderling advanced to the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals by beating Novak Djokovic 7-6 (5), 6-1 Wednesday for his second straight win at the season-ending tournament.
Chang says Asian men need better coaching
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:30:00 -0500
Michael Chang says Asian men need better coaching to match the success of their female compatriots in the top echelons of professional tennis.
Presented By:
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:30:00 -0500
Roddick says knee recovering 'ahead of schedule'
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:06:00 -0500
After missing the ATP World Tour Finals because of a left knee injury, Andy Roddick is already looking forward to the start of the 2010 season.
USTA tax forms show ex-CEO paid $9.15M in 2008
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:17:00 -0500
U.S. Tennis Association tax forms show that former CEO of professional tennis Arlen Kantarian received more than $9 million in total compensation in 2008, his last year running the U.S. Open.
Djokovic ditches adidas for Italian Sergio Tacchini
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:20:00 -0500
Novak Djokovic is leaving adidas for sportswear brand Sergio Tacchini.

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Roger Federer slow motion video: Tennis