You likely possess a basic understanding of tennis, including scoring, winning games, sets, and matches, and earning points, as well as how to spectate with grace and respect. This article aims to offer an overview of essential tennis court etiquette. Tennis has a long history of propriety and manners, stemming from its origins among the nobility and royals of England and France. When discussing tennis etiquette, I refer to the nuances of the game, which involve treating opponents and everyone around you with respect, playing fairly, and upholding good manners. Adhering to proper conduct is crucial for tennis enthusiasts to gain respect within the tennis community. Therefore, contemporary court etiquette should be followed by all tennis players and SUPA TENNIS picked 18 basic rules for you to follow:

1. When playing on the tennis court, please keep your voice down, silence your cell phone, and minimize conversations. Thank you!

Hey everyone, let’s be considerate of others when on the courts. Remember to silence your phone and refrain from chatting or making non-urgent calls as it can be disruptive for those trying to concentrate and play.

Let’s avoid having long conversations on the tennis court. It’s better to wait for a break or until the match is over and keep chit-chat to a minimum until we’re off the courts.

2. Decisions who start tennis serve or return

To determine who serves first, you can flip a coin or rotate a racket. The winner of the toss has the option to serve, receive, select which end of the court they prefer, or even let their opponent decide.

3. Track your tennis balls carefully

One of the essential parts of playing tennis well is keeping the balls within your court. If a ball lands on another court, avoid causing a disturbance by shouting or distracting other players. Wait patiently until they have finished their point before retrieving the ball either by asking for it back or getting it yourself. When it’s your turn to serve, ensure you have two tennis balls readily available so that your opponent doesn’t have to wait for you to find one between points.

4. Warming up

When starting a tennis match, ensure you warm up properly for about five minutes. Focus on gentle rallies to help you and your opponent stretch and prepare. Remember not to extend your warm-up if others are waiting for the court.

5. Serve the right way

Be sure to check if your opponent is ready before serving, even though you should adhere to the 20-second time limit between points. Winning a point by serving at your opponent’s back is not the aim.

6. No return necessary

If your opponent faults their first serve, refrain from returning the ball unless the call was so marginal that you had no alternative but to hit it back.

7. Waiting for your time

When inquiring about the end time of the players on a court you’ve reserved or if they will use multiple courts, it’s best to wait for a break in their game or between matches before approaching them. Please avoid standing too close to the court or staring if their game takes longer than expected. Remember, tennis is a game of sportsmanship, so let’s be courteous and patient.

8. Please kindly adhere to the line calls and refrain from engaging in arguments

In most cases, there won’t be an official line caller or camera on the court unless it’s a tournament, so players are responsible for making calls on whether balls are in or out. Disputes over line calls are common and often open to interpretation. It’s important to respect your opponent’s line calls, even if you don’t agree with them. If you consistently disagree with your opponent’s calls, consider getting a bystander or tennis pro to watch the line. Avoid arguments on the court and maintain your composure, as it’s just a game.

9. Refrain from applauding fortunate shots or net cords

When a lucky shot results from hitting the net cord or framing a shot for a winner, it’s important to show good sportsmanship by not over-celebrating and acknowledging the element of luck. It’s also essential to avoid excessive celebration after winning a point and to join in on celebrations for great points or rallies.

10. Don’t forget the score

When playing tennis, it’s crucial to be mindful of the score and not expect others to keep track of every point. Stay focused on the game and assist your opponent or doubles partner in keeping score. Seasoned players always announce the score before serving, making it a fundamental and widely observed tennis etiquette.

11. Don’t walk behind or crossing a court without obtaining permission beforehand

When there’s a group of players on the court and you need to pass by, be sure to wait for them to finish a point and ask for permission before crossing behind their court—it’s distracting and impolite to just walk through. The same goes for spectators—wait for the point to end before crossing, as it’s common sense and minimizes the risk of getting hit by a tennis ball.

12. If you accidentally hit someone, please make sure to apologize

If you accidentally hit your opponent in close quarters doubles play or while hitting a passing shot, it’s important to apologize. Getting hit with a tennis ball can be painful, so it’s crucial to show kindness rather than celebrating or laughing about it.

13. Please avoid offering unwanted advice or critiquing the performance of another tennis player

Beginner players often welcome advice from more experienced ones on improving their game, but they may prefer getting guidance from their tennis coaches. Always make sure your advice is wanted before offering it repeatedly. Regardless of their skill level, players don’t like being blamed for losing a point or match, so it’s important to be gracious and mindful that you could be in their shoes next time.

14. Engaging in the actions of serving and returning balls

Remember to always take responsibility for the balls on your side of the court and promptly return them if you’re at the receiving end. And if a ball ends up in someone else’s court, wait for the right time to retrieve it, making sure the other players have finished their point before doing so.

15. Don’t forget to bring a can of tennis balls, a towel, and a bottle of water with you

It’s a good idea to always carry a can of new or slightly used balls with you, as your playing partner may not always have extra. Some clubs may offer towels and water, but it’s best to come prepared. If you tend to get hungry between sets, bring a light snack like a banana or a snack bar. However, it’s preferable to eat before the match or after it to avoid making a mess on the court.

16. Make sure to dress in suitable attire and maintain a neat appearance

Please ensure you adhere to the club’s dress code and maintain a well-groomed appearance to leave a positive impression and show respect for the club and fellow players. If you’re unsure of the dress code, kindly inquire with your host or contact the club directly. Note that some clubs and tournaments require “all white” attire, and it’s essential to wear appropriate trainers for the court surface.

17. Leave the tantrums to the kids

When things don’t go your way, try to avoid getting upset. Marat Safin, known for saying, “You can destroy one racquet. You can destroy a chair. But you can’t destroy a racquet and a chair in the same match. Otherwise this is the tennis of a sick person,” clearly didn’t receive proper tennis etiquette training.

18. Congratulations and remember, to demonstrate good sportsmanship, exchanging handshakes at the conclusion of the game.

From a young age, it’s important to learn to shake hands with your opponents at the end of a sports game, offering a firm handshake, a smile, and a complimentary comment like “well played” regardless of the outcome.

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