7 de noviembre de 2025
As we all know, the game begins with the serve. In this part, we’ll go over the main rules and nuances every player should know. I haven’t included the entire rulebook — only the most important points and those that most often cause disputes.
Deciding Who Serves First
In official tournaments, the right to serve first is determined by a coin toss.
In amateur matches, players often play a first rally — whoever wins it, serves first.
But what do the rules actually say?
The winner of the toss can choose one of three options:
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Start the match serving or, alternatively, let the opponents serve first.
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Choose the side of the court to start on.
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Give the right of choice to the opponents.
At the professional level, players increasingly choose to receive the first serve. At the beginning of a match, there’s tension, players aren’t yet in rhythm — and breaking serve in the first game gives a serious advantage.
When to Choose the Third Option
For example, if you’re playing outdoors and the sun is a factor, you might let your opponents choose.
If they decide to serve, you’ll then have the right to pick the side — placing them facing the sun.
Again, the goal is to try to break serve in the very first game, which often sets the tone for the entire match.
Foot Position During the Serve
Both of the server’s feet must be behind the service line and the center line.
The ball must be bounced on the court behind the service line and center line before being hit.
Important: only the feet touching the ground must be behind the service line.
You’ll often see players lift one foot while serving. The reason is that the ball can be bounced at an angle — it lands legally within the allowed area, but then rebounds into the service box. This way, the player can legally shorten the distance of the serve, gaining a small advantage. The lifted leg helps maintain balance and stay within the rules.
Height of the Serve
The player must hit the ball at waist height or below, and at least one foot must remain on the ground.
This rule is much debated because players vary in height and can bend their knees or lean forward, lowering their waistline.
Violations are rarely penalized by referees due to the rule’s subjectivity. Still, borderline serves are regularly seen even at the highest level.
Tip: use the full legal height — don’t deny yourself an allowed advantage.
Serves on the Edge of Legality
If a player misses the ball while attempting to hit it, the serve still counts as made.
The serve can only be stopped before the racket begins moving toward the ball.
Serving from the Wrong Side
If a serve is made from the wrong side, the mistake must be corrected as soon as it’s discovered.
All points scored up to that moment remain valid; if a fault occurred, it also counts.
Example:
The score is 15–0. The server accidentally serves from the right side instead of the left and wins the rally.
Once the mistake is noticed, the score becomes 15–15, and the player serves again from the right — for the third time in a row.
The receiving pair is responsible for checking that serves are made from the correct side.
Order of Serving
The players entitled to serve in the first game of each set decide which partner serves first.
After the first game, the receiving pair becomes the serving pair, and this alternation continues throughout the set.
Once the serving order is set, it cannot be changed until the next set.
Amateurs often keep the same order throughout the entire match, but professionals adjust for effectiveness — usually, the player on the right-hand side serves first.
If a player serves out of turn, the correct server must serve as soon as the error is noticed. All previous points stand, but if only one fault had been made before, it is not counted.
If the game ends before the error is discovered, the “incorrect” serving order continues until the end of the set.
Tip: if you notice your opponent serving out of order right after missing the first serve, wait for the second serve before pointing it out — otherwise, you’re giving them two new serves.
Hitting the Net
If the ball touches the net on serve and then lands in the correct service box, it’s called a “let” — the serve is replayed.
However, if after touching the net the ball hits the metal fence before the second bounce, the serve is a fault.
Hitting a Ball That’s Out
The receiver may only hit the ball after it bounces on their side.
If they volley the ball (even if it was clearly going out), the point goes to the server.
Playing Out an Irregular Point
If the server believes there’s a situation requiring a replay (“let”), they must immediately announce it to the players or referee, stopping the point. Once the rally continues, the right to replay is lost.
For example, if you accidentally play a ball that was out, you must call “out” immediately, without waiting for the rally to end.
Because “immediately” is a relative term, these kinds of disputes happen regularly — even among elite players.
Two Serves After a “Let”
Here’s a common rule that’s often misunderstood:
If a let occurs during the second serve (for example, a ball from another court rolls in), the server regains the right to two serves.
A Few Rules Even Experienced Players Don’t Always Know
Does a serve count if, after bouncing in the opponent’s service box, the ball flies out through an open door?
It’s very difficult to pull off (the angle is extreme), but theoretically possible.
If the court you’re playing on allows play outside (there’s safe space and it’s been agreed beforehand), the serve is valid, and the point goes to the server.
If playing outside the court isn’t allowed (as in most amateur games), the serve is a fault.
If the ball hits the corner between the glass and the fence, the serve is valid only if the rebound travels toward the receiver.
Players often assume any serve that hits the corner is a fault, but the rules require judging based on the direction of the rebound.
Receiver Readiness
The server must not serve until the receiver is ready.
If the receiver makes no attempt to return the ball, the server cannot claim the point, even if the serve was good.
Thus, the receiver may ask to replay the serve — but only if they did not attempt to play the ball.
Tip: if you’re at the net after the previous rally, return to position facing the back glass, not walking backward.
Turn toward your opponent only when you’re ready to receive.
This helps avoid situations where the opponent serves while you’re “not ready,” reducing potential disputes.
Lob Serve
Is a very high, lob-style serve that bounces in the opponent’s service box and flies out of the court without a chance to play it legal?
Yes — such serves are completely allowed under the rules.