If you’re looking at a tennis court and trying to work out which side is the ad court, start at the baseline: face the net, and the left-hand half is your ad court. The right-hand half is the deuce court. Each player has an ad court, so the labels are based on the player’s own view of the court.
You’ll hear “ad court” most often during scoring and when players talk about serve placement. Knowing which side it means makes it easier to follow a match, call out the right position in doubles, and choose a useful target on your own serve.
What Is the Ad Court in Tennis?
The ad court is the left side of a player’s court when that player is standing behind the baseline and facing the net. It gets its name from “advantage,” because the deciding point after deuce is played from this side.
The ad court is one half of the court, not just one small box. The service box on that side is the ad service box. A server standing on the ad side hits diagonally into the receiver’s ad service box.
Because the players face each other, one player’s ad court appears on the opposite side to the other player’s ad court when viewed from the stands. To identify your own side, don’t rely on the left or right edge of a photo or court map. Stand at your baseline and face the net.
Ad Court and Deuce Court: The Difference
| Side | Where it is for the player | When it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Ad court | Left half, facing the net | First point of a game, then every even-numbered point in a game; also the point after deuce |
| Deuce court | Right half, facing the net | Second point of a game, then every odd-numbered point after that; also the first point played at deuce |
“Deuce court” takes its name from the score of deuce: 40-all. The labels are useful shorthand for where a player stands to serve or receive. They do not change the court’s lines or dimensions.
When Do Players Use the Ad Court?
In a standard game, the first serve comes from the deuce court. Players then alternate sides for each point: ad, deuce, ad, deuce. The server changes sides after every point, even if the point is replayed because of a let.
At 40-all, the score is called deuce. The next point is played from the ad court. If the player leading by one point wins again, they win the game. If the other player wins, the score returns to deuce and the next point starts from the deuce court. That back-and-forth is why you may hear “ad in” or “ad out”:
- Ad-in: The server has the advantage.
- Ad-out: The receiver has the advantage.
For example, if the score reaches deuce and the server wins the next point, the score is called “advantage server” or “ad-in.” The server is still one point from winning, and the next point is played from the deuce court. If the receiver wins that point, the score returns to deuce.
Some recreational leagues and team events use no-ad scoring. In that format, deuce is followed by one deciding point rather than repeated advantage points. The receiver usually chooses which side to receive from, but check the event rules: doubles formats may specify which receiver takes the deciding point.
How to Find the Ad Court on a Real Court
Look for the center mark, a short line at the middle of the baseline. Stand behind it facing the net. The half on your left is the ad side; the half on your right is the deuce side. The center service line splits the service boxes at the other end of the court, and each serve must land in the diagonally opposite box.
In doubles, the same naming rule applies to each player. Teams usually assign one player to receive on the ad side and the other on the deuce side. Once partners agree on their receiving sides, they generally stay there for the set, although they can change sides between sets under the rules. Clear communication matters: calling “I’ve got ad” is more helpful than pointing across the net and saying “left.”
Ad-Court Tactics for Players
The ad side can be a useful place to build a pattern around your strengths. A right-handed server may use a slice serve from the ad court to pull a right-handed receiver wide, opening space for the next shot. A kick serve aimed toward the receiver’s backhand can push them behind the baseline. Left-handed players often look for a different angle, using a wide serve from the ad side to stretch a right-handed opponent.
For returners, the ad side is often a key position for defending break points. In a standard game, when the server is facing break point at 30-40 or advantage receiver, the next serve comes from the ad court. That can help the returner anticipate the side of the serve, but not its direction. Watch the server’s toss and contact point, then split-step as they strike the ball instead of guessing early.
In doubles, the ad-court receiver may face a serve aimed at the body or the center line, especially on a big point. Decide with your partner who will take a ball down the middle and use a clear call such as “mine” or “yours.” A simple plan is often better than trying to react at the last second.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ad court always on the left?
It is on the left from the perspective of the player standing behind their baseline and facing the net. From the other end of the court, that player’s ad side may look like the right side to you.
Does the server start on the ad court?
No. The first point of a standard game is served from the deuce court. The server alternates sides with each point, so the second point comes from the ad court.
Which service box is the ad box?
It is the service box diagonally opposite the server’s ad-court position. The serve must land in that box to count as a legal serve.
What does “ad-out” mean?
“Ad-out” means the receiver has the advantage after deuce. If the receiver wins the next point, they win the game; if the server wins it, the score returns to deuce.
Final Thoughts
The easiest way to remember the ad court is to stand at your baseline and face the net: left is ad, right is deuce. The ad side is where advantage points are played, and it is also a useful reference for serving and receiving plans. Once you connect the court labels to your own viewpoint, score calls and doubles positions become much easier to follow.
