Jake Rowland 
If you’re planning your Australian Open day around one player or match, the order of play is the detail to check—not just the tournament draw. It tells you which matches are scheduled, on which court and in what sequence. The catch is that tennis schedules are estimates: a long match, rain or a roof closure … Read more
Watch a rally closely and you’ll notice that a ball hit over the middle of the court has a little less net to clear than one aimed near a sideline. That dip is intentional: a regulation tennis net is set lower at its midpoint than at its posts, creating a small but important difference in … Read more
A shot struck a little off-center can still land deep and feel solid; another, just a few centimeters away, may twist the racket in your hand. That difference comes down to more than luck. The racket’s sweet spot is the part of the string bed where contact tends to feel most stable and efficient—and understanding … Read more
A set can be tied at 6–6, but it cannot usually stay that way forever. In most standard tennis sets, the players settle it with a 7-point tiebreak: a short points contest that decides the set, provided one player gets to at least seven points and leads by two. How a 7-point tiebreak works The … Read more
A match can be level late in the deciding set, with both players feeling every point. In some formats, they don’t keep playing ordinary games until someone breaks serve: they play a 10-point tiebreak instead. It sounds straightforward, but the serving order, court changes, and “win by two” rule can make the finish more tense … Read more
If your forearm feels tired after a few games, or the racket twists in your hand on contact, you may be gripping it either too tightly or too loosely. The sweet spot is a secure, relaxed hold: firm enough to control the racket, but not so tense that your hand and arm stay clenched between … Read more
A court can look a little faded and still play well. But when balls start taking unpredictable kicks, players slip on dry patches, or water sits in the same shallow depressions after every shower, it may be time to look beyond a fresh coat of paint. For most acrylic hard courts, a useful rule of … Read more
A tennis court looks compact when you’re standing behind the baseline, but the painted lines tell only part of the story. Players need room to run through shots, serve without feeling boxed in, and move safely around the court. For a typical full-size court, plan on a space about 120 feet long by 60 feet … Read more
A tennis set can be over in six games—or stretch much longer than you might expect. The usual rule is simple: a player must win at least six games and lead by two. What happens when the score reaches 6–6 depends on the competition’s tiebreak rules. The short answer In most professional matches, a set … Read more
A tennis warm-up should usually take about 15 to 25 minutes from start to first point. That gives you time to get your body moving before you hit, then use the court session to find your timing. The best length depends on the weather, how hard you plan to play, and whether you have already … Read more