TENNIS

I would like to tell you something about tennis. I have played tennis since I was 5 or 6 years old. I played it very well and competitively. Because of some health issues I had to give it up. I had problems with my back, so I started to play tennis occasionally. Last year, I played it once a week but now I got super part-time job, I have a lot of things to do to school (final exam, entrance exams to Universities), so I had to stop.

Tennis can be individual sport – singles (one to one) - or team sport – doubles (two to two). Personally, I prefer to play singles.  When I play doubles I feel very responsible and I am worried when I lost points my partner would be mad at me. Plus I hate playing near the net – volleys.  Those shots (údery) are very quick and aggressive.

Primary, tennis is outdoor sport but in the winter you can play it in halls. It is definitely ball sport – you play with balls called tennis balls. The most frequent colour of tennis balls is yellow (green). But It used to be white.

          Tennis is played on a court. It can be for example grass court (Wimbledon) but mostly it is clay court (antuka). On the court are lines – each has different meaning (some are only for singles, some only for doubles and some identify place where you have to shot your serve).

For playing tennis you need to have tennis racquets (tennis bag), tennis balls and trainers.

In my opinion for beginners is the most difficult thing on tennis – scoring.

If you win one ball – you get 15 point (15, 30, 4O) = break points.  You have to get 40 points and then score another ball to win one game point. If the score is 40 to 4O (deuce – schoda)and you win next ball – It is called advantage - and for getting game point you have to win another one. To win one set you have to win 6 game points. If the score is 5 to 5 you play to7 game points (differences between game points must be two game points). If the score is 6 to 6 you play to 7 and then play tie break. In tie break you win one ball and get one point. It is played to 7 points (differences between points must be two points). To winning whole match you have to get to sets (2:0, 2:1). Sometimes men in world cups play to 3 win sets.

There are also rules to changing parts of the court and serve.

Serve in type of shot which start the game (first shot played above your head). In general is serve known as the advantage of player. Who start with serve is based on drawing. The one who win the drawing can choose if he wants serve or receive for first game point. Then serve is changed every game point. Rule for changing parts is quite simple - after every odd score (also when the sum of game points is odd number - liché).

Rules in tie breaks are little bit different. Serve is changed after first point and then Serve is changed every two points. Parts are changed after every six points (3:3, 6:0, 6:6,...).

Finally,  something about professional cups.Grand Slam tournaments – most prestigious cups for professional players (Australian open, French open, Wimbledon, US open).

Now the best men players are (according to ATP - international chart of men players):

Now the best women players are (according to WTP - international chart of women players):