THEORY OF TENNIS(LAWN)
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF TENNIS
By fact, a form of tennis was played in Greece, Rome, Egypt, and in Persian empires. It was
discovered that tennis was played in France dated back to the 13th century. The game was played
with bare hands by hitting a stuffed cloth bag over a rope. The game became popular in France such
that tennis court were built to encourage participation.
However, in 1873, a British army major, Walter C. Wing field introduced a modified tennis game
”Sphairistike” to his visitors. The game became popular in England. It was introduced to united state
in 1874 by miss Mary Ewing outer-bridge who learnt the game in Bermuda. The standard rule was
formed by American in 1881.
In 1877, the English lawn tennis association constituted the national championship in Wimbledon.
The Wimbledon open is the greatest tournament in the world and it started in 1884. International
tennis federation(ITF) was formed in 1913 . in 1904, Nigerian tennis federation(NTF) was formed
NATURE OF TENNIS GAME
The game is played by either one or two players(singles, doubles, or mixed doubles) a side in a
specified rectangular court. The game is started from a service from behind the baseline of the right
court, and the ball must fall inside the opponent’s right hand ser ice court, before it is returned to
the opponent court. The purpose of the game is to hit the ball with a racket over the net from one
side of the court so hard to make it impossible for the opponent to return or play the ball in an area
on the court where the opponent cannot returned it. The score in tennis is referred to as a point and
it is called ‘LOVE’ or ZERO. Four points makes a game . six games won makes a set. Two out of three
or three out of five sets makes a match. The scores is as follows
ZERO SCORE LOVE
1ST POINT 15
2ND POINT 30
3RD POINT 40
4TH POINT game. If the game ends at 40-40 which means it is called a deuce. A player
with two points consecutively wins the game.
BASIC SKILLS
1. The grip: there are three(3) basic grip which is as follows:
A) THE WESTERN GRIP B) THE CONTINENTAL GRIP C) THE EASTERN GRIP
2. Service: this is he act of putting the ball in to play
3. The forehand drive: the player stands side ways and the racket is back in normal groove. The
left foot is in front while the right hand is shifted towards the weight of the body is transfer
to the right foot
4. The backhand drive: the player should turn his right shoulder almost facing the direction of
the net. The racket and arm passed back to the left side of the body while the right foot is
placed in front.
5. The volley: this is a stroke that is executed when the ball is in ‘flight’. The player raises
racket high with the face of the racket slightly bent.
6. Lob shot: this is a shot that is flopped to the ‘air’ and moves to the back of the court.
7. The smash: this is an attacking stroke deployed by a player to ‘kill’ any high shot.
8. The drip shot: this is when a player touches the ball slightly and it drops over the net to the
opponents’ side of the court
9. The chop: this is made by cutting under the ball thus impacting a back spin that makes the
ball bite into the court.
EQUIPMENTS AND FACILITIES
FACILITY: THE court measuring 23..77. by 10.9m for doubles and 23.77m by 8.23m for singles, pole
EQUIPENTS
Ball
Net
Racket
Whistle
The dress
Socks canvas
Head and wrist band
RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. The choice of sides and the right to serve in the game is decided by a toss
2. The ball should have a uniform outer.
3. The court must be of the required standard measurement for singles and doubles with other
facilities fixed.
4. The ball must be tossed into the air and should be struck with the racket before it reaches
the grounds
5. A player loses a point, if he touches the net with any part of his body or with his racket while
playing the ball
6. To balance playing conditions, players should change sides at the end of odd games, the
first, third etc.
7. The service is a fault:
.i. if he misses the ball in attempting to strike the ball
ii. if the server violate the rules 3
iii. if the ball served touches a permanent fixture(other than the net, strap or band) before it
hits the ground.
OFFICIALS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
1. Referee: a) he ensures better interpretation of the lawa of the game.
b)he receives appeal and hs decision is final
2. the umpire: a)he ensures the smooth running of the match-play
b) he announces all decisions that affect the player e.g let, foot fault
3. net cord judge: a) he assist the umpire
b)he signifies a fault if there is any.
4. lines men: a) they also assist the umpire
b)
5. errand boys/ball boys
6. Foot-fault judge
