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".

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L.A. Times - Tennis

Justine Henin's enigmatic tennis career never seemed quite right
Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The announcement by the world's No. 1 tennis player that she is retiring 11 days before the French Open makes about as much sense as many of the other major events in her career. Salient reactions to the headline included "Huh?" or "What?" or "Has too much wine affected my eyesight?" Justine Henin retiring at 25? At No. 1 in the world?
At 25, Justine Henin says she's quitting tennis
Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The world's top-ranked women's tennis player insists her retirement is not a temporary measure. 'It is my life as a woman that starts now,' she says. It was another abrupt retirement announcement by a noted tennis champion, the second time in about six months that the WTA Tour has been hit by stunning news.
Venus and Serena Williams to play in Carson
Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Sisters enter East West Bank Classic at Home Depot Center. Making a rare combined appearance in Southern California, tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams have entered the East West Bank Classic tournament, July 21-27 at the Home Depot Center.
Federer defeats Canas at Rome Masters
Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Federer scores straight-set victory over Canas at Rome Masters. Roger Federer got by one of his most challenging opponents, defeating Guillermo Canas , 6-3, 6-3, on Tuesday in the second round of the Rome Masters.
USC's Kaes Van't Hof earns two titles
Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The senior beats Robert Farah, his fraternity brother, in singles final, and the two of them then team up to beat Arizona State's T.J. Bellama and Matt Brooklyn. It was a day of firsts at the Pacific 10 Conference championships at the 108th Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament on Sunday at Libbey Park.
Thousand Oaks' McMorrow wins CIF boys' final
Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The junior, whose grandfather is a past president of the event, beats Crossroads' Milner in two sets. Alvarado and Freeman of Mater Dei win doubles title. Moments after blasting a clean forehand winner on triple match point, Kyle McMorrow raised both arms in the air and let out a huge sigh of relief. After years of watching others make history at the Ojai Valley tennis tournament, the junior from Thousand Oaks High finally made some of his own.

BBC Sport | Tennis | UK Edition

Murray falls to Nadal in Hamburg
Thu, 15 May 2008 18:51:24 -0000
Andy Murray fails to handle Rafael Nadal's brilliance on clay as the Spaniard wins their round three match in the Hamburg Masters.
Sharapova reaches Rome quarters
Thu, 15 May 2008 16:56:38 -0000
Maria Sharapova grits out a win over Caroline Wozniacki to reach the last eight of the Italian Open.
GB to play Austria at Wimbledon
Thu, 15 May 2008 11:44:03 -0000
Great Britain will play September's crucial Davis Cup tie against Austria on the number one court at Wimbledon.
Henin 'is best of her generation'
Thu, 15 May 2008 12:23:27 -0000
Tennis legend Billie-Jean King says the retired Justine Henin should be regarded as the best player in the modern women's game.
Henin announces retirement
Wed, 14 May 2008 14:42:50 -0000
Justine Henin quits tennis with immediate effect - at the age of 25.
Murray wins to set up Nadal clash
Wed, 14 May 2008 15:48:25 -0000
Andy Murray beats Gilles Simon in straight sets at the Hamburg Masters to set up a third-round meeting with Rafael Nadal.

Tennis News: CBSSports.com

Henin announces retirement, effective immediately
Wed, 14 May 2008 01:50:00 -0500
Top-ranked Justine Henin is retiring from tennis, effective immediately.
Sharapova to take over vacated No. 1 ranking
Thu, 15 May 2008 09:48:00 -0500
Maria Sharapova rallied from a four-game deficit in the second set to beat Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) on Thursday, advancing to the Italian Open quarterfinals along with sisters Serena and Venus Williams.
Federer, Djokovic, Nadal in Hamburg quarters
Thu, 15 May 2008 09:04:00 -0500
Rafael Nadal had no birthday gift for Andy Murray, beating the Briton in straight sets Thursday to join Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the Hamburg Masters quarterfinals.
Ratiwatana twins help two escape fire in Bordeaux
Tue, 13 May 2008 17:51:00 -0500
Twin brothers who play professional tennis as a doubles team helped the wife and son of another doubles player escape from a hotel fire.
Federer, Nadal eager to participate in Beijing Olympics
Mon, 12 May 2008 13:02:00 -0500
Roger Federer's birthday is on the opening day of the Beijing Olympics, and the top-ranked tennis player hopes to be bearing the Swiss flag when the athletes march in at the opening ceremony.

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