Tennis is a sport played between either two players ("Singles") or two teams of two players ("doubles"). Players use a stringed racquet to strike a ball, a hollow rubber ball covered in felt, over a net into the opponent's court. In some places tennis is still called lawn tennis to distinguish it from real tennis (also known as royal tennis or court tennis), an older form of the game that is played indoors on a very different court. Originating in England in the late 19th Century, the game spread first throughout the English-speaking world, particularly among the upper classes. Tennis is now an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society, by all ages, and in many countries around the world. Except for the adoption of the tie-breaker in the 1970s, its rules have remained remarkably unchanged since the 1890s. Along with its millions of players, millions of people follow tennis as a spectator sport, especially the four Grand Slam tournaments.

Manner of play

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The court

Tennis is played on a rectangular, flat surface, usually grass, clay, or a hardcourt of concrete and/or asphalt. The court is 78 feet (23.77 m) long, and its width is 27 feet (8.23 m) for singles matches and 36 feet (10.97 m) for doubles matches. Additional clear space around the court is required in order for players to reach overrun balls. A net is stretched across the full width of the court, parallel with the baselines, dividing it into two equal ends. The net is 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m) high at the posts, and 3 feet (914 mm) high in the center.

Types of Courts

There are three main types of courts. Depending on the materials used for the court surfaces, each surface provides a difference in the speed and bounce of the ball, which in turn can affect the level of play of the individual players. The three most common types of courts that are used for play are:

• Clay court
• Grass court
• Hardcourt

Some players are clearly more successful on certain surfaces than on others and become known as, for instance, a "grass-court" or "Clay-court specialist".

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This year I'm going to take dance, tennis, and Spanish lessons. And take a trip to Barcelona.
GabrieleMilan (Gabriele) Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:04:28 -0000
This year I'm going to take dance, tennis, and Spanish lessons. And take a trip to Barcelona.
Trying to finish this Olympic Snowboarding article for Feet. Really want to play some wii tennis. I'm an idiot.
danopendygrasse (daniel pendygrasse) Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:04:09 -0000
Trying to finish this Olympic Snowboarding article for Feet. Really want to play some wii tennis. I'm an idiot.
Scottsdale acreage- 4 bedrooms, pool, tennis court. Needs work PRICED CRAZY LOW Scottsdale , AZ, -http://vflyer.us/fmlhb9
DawnWorkman (Dawn Workman) Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:03:38 -0000
Scottsdale acreage- 4 bedrooms, pool, tennis court. Needs work PRICED CRAZY LOW Scottsdale , AZ, -http://vflyer.us/fmlhb9
Not a bad #tennis fan @CrackedGem just individual!
BrisbaneTennis (BrisbaneTennis) Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:03:12 -0000
Not a bad #tennis fan @CrackedGem just individual!
@dootsiez I think there is a career for us as a tennis doggerel duo. :)
JodiMcA (Jodi) Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:02:31 -0000
@dootsiez I think there is a career for us as a tennis doggerel duo. :)
STA happy tennis included in Sukma http://twa.lk/xIhxr
sportjolie (sport) Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:01:58 -0000
STA happy tennis included in Sukma http://twa.lk/xIhxr

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