feet (6.40 m) from each side of the net, parallel with the net. These lines are called the servicelines. On each side of the net, the area between the serviceline and the net shall be divided into two equal parts, the service courts, by the centre serviceline. The centre serviceline shall be drawn parallel with the singles sidelines and half way between them.
The centre serviceline and centre mark shall be 2 inches (5 cm) wide.
The other lines of the court shall be between 1 inch (2.5 cm) and 2 inches (5 cm) wide, except that the baselines may be up to 4 inches (10 cm) wide.
All court measurements shall be made to the outside of the lines and all lines of the court shall be of the same colour clearly contrasting with the colour of the surface.
Rules
SCORE IN A SET
There are different methods of scoring in a set. The two main methods are the "Advantage Set" and the "Tie-break Set". Either method may be used provided that the one to be used is announced in advance of the event. If the "Tie-break Set" method is to be used, it must also be announced whether the final set will be played as a "Tie-break Set" or an "Advantage Set".
SCORE IN A MATCH
A match can be played to the best of 3 sets (a player/team needs to win 2 sets to win the match) or to the best of 5 sets (a player/team needs to win 3 sets to win the match).
PLAYER LOSES POINT
The point is lost if:
a. The player serves two consecutive faults; or
b. The player does not return the ball in play before it bounces twice consecutively; or
c. The player returns the ball in play so that it hits the ground, or before it bounces, an object, outside the correct court; or
d. The player returns the ball in play so that, before it bounces, it hits a permanent fixture; or
e. The receiver returns the service before it bounces; or
f. The player deliberately carries or catches the ball in play on the racket or deliberately touches it with the racket more than once; or
g. The player or the racket, whether in the player's hand or not, or anything which the player is wearing or carrying touches the net, net posts/singles sticks, cord or metal cable, strap or band, or the opponent's court at any time while the ball is in play; or
h. The player hits the ball before it has passed the net; or
i. The ball in play touches the player or anything that the player is wearing or carrying, except the racket; or
j. The ball in play touches the racket when the player is not holding it; or
k. The player deliberately and materially changes the shape of the racket when the ball is in play; or
l. In doubles, both players touch the ball when returning it.
COACHING
Coaching is considered to be communication, advice or instruction of any kind, audible or visible, to a player.
In team events where there is a team captain sitting on-court, the team captain may coach the player(s) during a set break and when the players change ends at the end of a game, but not when the players change ends after the first game of each set and not during a tie-break game.
Equipment
Balls
They must be yellow or white, with a diameter between 6.54 and 7.3cm and a weight between 56.0 and 59,49g.
Court
A smooth, level playing area, covered with grass, clay or an artificial surface.
Net
The net is attached between two poles and divides with an equal distance the two sides of the court. The Height of the net is in its centre of 0,914m and on its two sides of 1,07m.
Racket
A light bat with a frame in wood, steel or graphite with a network of cord, catgut or nylon, stretched in an essentially elliptical frame
List of events
On the programme of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, Beijing 2008
(1) doubles Men
(2) singles Men
(3) doubles Women
(4) singles Women
Time and venue
The tennis event of the 29th Olympic Games will be held at the Olympic Green Tennis Center in Beijing from August 10-17, 2008.
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