Jake Rowland 
A server gets two chances to put the ball into the correct service box. Miss both, and the point is over: that is a double fault. It can happen in a blink, but at 30–40 or on a tiebreak point, it can change the feel of an entire match. What counts as a double fault? … Read more
A player can be one point from winning a game and still have to face a serve coming at full speed. That pressure-filled moment is a break point—and because winning it can change who serves next, it can shift the momentum of a match. What a break point means A break point happens when the … Read more
At 6-6 in a tennis set, the next point usually starts a tiebreak—but the exact format depends on the competition and whether it’s a deciding set. The score doesn’t reset: players compete in a separate points-based game, and the winner takes the set 7-6. Here’s how the tiebreak works, what changes in some final sets, … Read more
A sharp “ping” after contact can make a perfectly good tennis racket feel wrong. A small accessory tucked near the bottom of the strings may quiet that sound—but what does it actually change, and can it improve your arm comfort or control? A racket dampener reduces the vibration of the strings after the ball leaves … Read more
Four tournaments give tennis its biggest stages: the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. They bring together the sport’s leading players, but each has a distinct setting and playing character—from Melbourne’s summer hard courts to the long rallies and high-bouncing clay of Paris. Together, these events are known as the Grand … Read more
A tennis score can sound like a code—love, 15, 30, deuce—but the rules underneath are straightforward. Players take turns serving, send the ball over the net into the court, and try to win enough points, games, and sets to take the match. Here’s how those pieces fit together, including the details that commonly trip up … Read more
A serve-and-volley racket has two jobs in quick succession: help you start the point with a penetrating serve, then feel steady and quick when a return comes back at your feet. That combination can make choosing one tricky. A frame that swings beautifully from the baseline may feel sluggish at the net, while an ultra-light … Read more
If your swing is compact, you may hit a clean contact point and still find the ball landing short—especially when an opponent sends pace your way. The right racket can make depth easier by supplying more power and a larger, forgiving hitting area, but it should still feel quick enough to prepare on time. Short … Read more
A full, flowing swing can produce plenty of racket-head speed—but pair it with a frame that launches the ball too high or feels sluggish, and your best forehand can sail long or arrive late. The right racket for a long swing usually gives you predictable control without asking you to shorten your stroke or muscle … Read more
A ball machine can make an advanced player fitter without making them better. The difference is whether you use it to rehearse decisions, movement, and recovery—not simply to hit a large number of comfortable forehands. The best sessions give every ball a purpose, and the right machine makes it easier to vary placement, pace, and … Read more