Service Regulations in Tennis

In tennis, the player has two chances to serve at each point (in one area). If the first serve doesn't make it, the server can make a second serve in the same area. There are some regulations from the ITF regarding the serve.

Correct or Valid Serve

There are some regulations that determine whether a serve is valid or not. Here is a valid serve according to the ITF.

• The serve is done from the left or right area of the court. The player's position when serving from the right area should not exceed the center mark until the body is in the left area, and vice versa when serving from the left area.
• Before serving, both serving feet should be behind the baseline between the center mark and the sideline. The assessment of the standing serve position's validity begins when the ball has been hit by the racket.
• In a tie break position, the first serve should start from the left area of the court.
• The ball should be hit or touched by the racket before the ball falls or bounces on the court.
• The serve ball must cross the net and fall into the opponent's serve area with the opposite direction (cross) before the receiver hits the serve ball.

Serve Error

Based on the ITF (2016) regulations, there are some errors in serving.

a. Server makes a foot fault. A foot fault occurs when the player or server makes the following movements during the serve:

• Moving position by walking or running.
• Foot touching the baseline.
• Foot touching the area outside the extension of the sideline shadow.
• Foot touching the center mark.

b. The server misses the ball when trying to hit it.

c. The serve ball touches the equipment (support) on the court, singles stick or net pole before falling or touching the court.

d. The serve ball touches the body or anything carried or worn by the server or partner.

Second Service Shot

If the first serve is incorrect, the server must perform the serve again without delay from the same area/part of the court where the incorrect serve was made, unless the incorrect serve was made from the wrong court area. The player will get a double fault if the second serve does not reach the designated area.

Time to Perform the Serve (When to Service & Receive)

The server must not perform the serve until the receiver is ready. However, the receiver should play with a reasonable time from the server and must be ready to receive the serve when the server is ready to perform the serve in a reasonable time. The receiver who tries to return the serve ball will be considered ready. If that shows that the receiver is not ready, the serve is not considered an error.

Order of Service Performance (Order Of Service)

At the end of each game, the receiver alternates to become the server and the server will become the receiver in the next game. For doubles, each pair that performs the serve in the first game in each set must start with another pair who also have to determine which player will be the server in that game. The partner of the player who performs the first serve will perform the serve in the following game. The order of serving alternates from one game to the next within each set.

Order of Receiving in Doubles

The doubles pair who will be the receiver in the first game of a set must determine which player will be the receiver on the first point. This order must be continued until the end of the set.

Let in Service

If a let occurs during the serve, the serve is not counted and must be replayed. A let in service occurs if:

• The serve hits the net, tape or cord; then the ball goes into the opponent's service area correctly, the serve must be replayed.
• If the serve hits the net and then hits the receiver or any object used by the receiver before the ball touches the court.
• The serve is hit when the receiver is not ready. In case of a replayed serve, such a serve is not counted and the server must repeat the serve but the replayed serve cannot cancel a previous wrong serve.