What tennis is
Tennis is a racket sport where the ball is hit over a net and may bounce at most once on your side. It is played one against one or in doubles. Modern tennis began in England in the 1870s and the first Wimbledon was played in 1877. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at every level, from a family game in summer to tournaments.
The court is 23.77 metres long, 8.23 metres wide for singles and 10.97 metres for doubles. The surface may be clay, hard court, grass or an indoor carpet, and it changes how the ball bounces. Tennis takes more technique than padel or pickleball, but after a few lessons real rallies come.
Where and when it is played in Estonia
In Estonia tennis is played outdoors in summer and in indoor halls in winter. Indoor courts cost more in winter and evening times fill up fast, so book early. A court is usually booked for an hour. Tennis clubs often have lessons for both children and adults. You see the number of venues and the towns at the top of this page.
In short for beginners
- Many tennis clubs rent rackets. A lighter racket with a larger head suits a beginner.
- Tennis shoes must suit the court surface. In running shoes it is easy to get hurt moving sideways.
- Start short, between the service lines. Control comes before power.
- The full guide: how to start playing tennis.
The rules in short
- The serve goes diagonally into the opponent's service box. A failed first serve gets a second try.
- A game is counted 15, 30, 40, game. At 40:40 you need two points in a row.
- A set goes to 6 games with a two-game lead, and at 6:6 there is a tie-break to 7 points.
- The ball must bounce inside the court, and a ball on the line is in.
- The full rules are on our tennis rules page in Estonian.