The tennis serve starts every point and must travel diagonally into the opponent’s correct service box. A legal serve requires the server to stand in the right position, release the ball correctly, and avoid touching the court with either foot before striking it.
Where the server must stand
The server begins behind the baseline, between the center mark and the singles sideline in singles play. In doubles, the server stands between the center mark and the doubles sideline. The server may not touch the baseline, the court inside it, or the area outside the sideline before hitting the ball. Touching any of these areas is a foot fault in tennis.
The serving side alternates from one half of the court to the other:
- Deuce court: the right side of the server’s court, used at 0-0 and even-point scores.
- Ad court: the left side, used after points played from the deuce court and at advantage scores.
The ball must land in the diagonally opposite service box. It may touch the net and still be legal if it lands in the correct box, as long as the call is a let under the applicable rules.
First serves, second serves and faults
A player normally has two attempts to hit a legal tennis serve. The first attempt is the first serve. If it is unsuccessful, the player receives a second serve. Two consecutive failed attempts produce a double fault, and the receiver wins the point.
A serve is a fault if the ball:
- lands outside the correct service box;
- fails to cross the net;
- touches a permanent fixture before landing in the service box;
- hits the server or the server’s partner;
- is struck after the server violates the serving-position rules.
Under standard tennis serving rules, the server must release the ball by hand and hit it before it touches the ground. A player who tosses the ball and decides not to strike it may usually catch it or let it fall without committing a fault, provided no other rule is broken. The exact procedure can depend on the competition’s rules and umpire instructions.
What is a tennis let?
A tennis let on serve is called when the ball touches the net and still lands in the correct service box. The serve is replayed, and it does not count as a fault. If the ball touches the net but lands outside the correct box, it is a fault rather than a let.
A let may also be called if the receiver was not ready and did not attempt to return the ball. If the receiver clearly tried to hit the serve, the point normally continues unless another interference rule applies.
Serving order and changing ends
At the start of a set, players decide who serves first according to the competition procedure. The server continues serving for the entire game. After each game, the other player or team serves. In doubles, each team follows a fixed rotation so that its players serve in the agreed order.
Players change ends after the first game and then after every odd-numbered game. During a tiebreak, players change ends after the first point and then after every six points. The serving position still alternates between the deuce and ad courts according to the score.
Common questions about tennis serve rules
Can the ball touch the line?
Yes. A serve that touches any part of the correct service-box line is in. The service line and the center service line form part of the service box, while the singles or doubles sideline determines the box’s outer boundary.
Can a server jump during the serve?
Yes. A player may jump and land inside the court after striking the ball. The violation occurs if the player touches a restricted area before making contact with the ball.
Does a receiver have to let the serve bounce?
Yes. The receiver must allow the serve to bounce once in the correct service box before returning it. A return struck before the bounce is not a legal return.
Who serves first in the next set?
The player or team that received in the final game of the previous set serves first in the next set, unless the competition’s specific tiebreak or set procedure creates an exception.