Tennis Etiquette Tips

Tennis is considered a gentleman's game. Tennis etiquette will help you maintain that level of sportsmanship that is expected when you play. Follow these tips to ensure that you have a great match without offending your opponent. 

One of the most important aspects of proper court etiquette is how you handle getting the tennis balls to the server. Most of the time you spend playing tennis will actually be the time spent between points chasing tennis balls. 

With this time being spent, you want to be as efficient (and polite) in getting the balls to the server as possible. Be careful that you get the balls as close to the server as possible. There is nothing that will frustrate them more than having to chase balls that you were unable to get to them. 

In that same thought, do not hit the ball hard to the other person. It is ideal if the ball bounces once or twice before it gets to them. Not only does this make it easier for them to catch, but it avoids the perception that you are hitting the ball with the intent to make it hard to catch, or even worse, trying to hurt them. 

Another aspect of tennis etiquette has to do with those playing on adjacent courts. Usually, most courts you will play on will have other courts to the side of you without a divider between courts. This can be a source of frustration, but can be handled with proper manners. 

If a ball from another court comes onto your court in the middle of a point, call a "let" and stop the point. Give them their ball back, and then replay the point. This way, no one had an unfair advantage from the point. 

If your ball goes into an adjoining court, wait until they are done playing before you go get the ball. You do not want to run onto their court in the middle of the point. That is a sure fire way to get people upset at you. 

Tennis has the reputation of being a gentleman's game. Do everything you can to be a good sport. That includes not throwing raquets, yelling or screaming, or doing something to purposefully distract your opponent.  All of these behaviors are distasteful and not appropriate.

Make sure your opponent is set and ready before serving. You want to be sure that they are ready to play the point and that everything is set to start. 

Tennis is a wonderful sport. These tennis etiquette tips will help you make the most of your time on the court and enjoy the game. You will get some exercise, enjoy some time in the sun, and have fun with someone on court.