Introduction
While keeping score in tennis can be challenging for beginners, server rotation (who serves next) and player locations (where to start play during the serve) are also essential for understanding the sport. They are governed by a set of specific rules that ensure fairness and consistency throughout the match. Let's break down these rules to understand how server rotation is structured:
Match Start
Coin Toss or Spin of the Racket
Before the match begins, a coin toss or racket spin is conducted. The winner of this toss/spin can make one of the following two decisions:- Serve or receive
OR - Pick which end of the court to start from.
Starting Each Set
Some may find it interesting that the rules for determining when to switch ends, or switch servers, or switch sides are based on set scores (number of games played) and points, and not directly dependent on the set boundaries.
Starting Each Game / Tiebreak
End Rotation
After the first game, players/teams will switch ends on every other game, through-out the match (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.). This rule ensures that no player/team has a prolonged advantage or disadvantage due to factors like sun, wind, or court characteristics. Note that tiebreaks are also consider a game. Also note that any end rotations required ‘within’ a tiebreak do not affect end location for the next game start.
Math Trick: Add the game scores to determine when to switch ends. Switch ends when the game total is odd. The total must include games from previous sets (including tiebreaks) as well. So, if the first set score was 7-6 and the current set score is 2-3, then 7+6+2+3 = 18 which is even and you wouldn’t switch sides.
Server Rotation
After the first game, the serve will pass to the other player/team. For a doubles team, the serve will also pass between each partner. For example, if Team 1 Player A serves the first game, Team 1 Player B will serve the third game, and so on.
Math Trick: Add the game scores to determine who serves next. Whichever Player/Team that served first in the match will serve if the game total is odd, otherwise the opposite Player/Team serves. The total must include games from previous sets (including tiebreaks) as well. So if the first set score was 7-6, and the current set score is 2-3, then 7+6+2+3 = 18, therefore the second player/team to serve the match will server next.
For doubles, you can use the end rotation to determine which partner serves next. Each partner will serve from the same end of the court throughout the set (the opposite end of your partner). If your team is next to serve (based on the game score total), and you have been serving on this end during this set, then it’s your serve.
Server Side Location
The server will serve the first point from the right side (Deuce Court).
Receiver Side Location
For singles, the receiver will move to receive the serve on the opposite side / end of the court from the server. At the beginning of each doubles game, the players of each team must decide from which side they will begin the point when receiving. They must receive serve from this position for the entire game.
Within a Game
End Rotation
No rotation. No switching ends during a game.
Server Rotation
No rotation. The server will serve for each point until the game ends.
Server Side Location
The server will serve the first point from the right side (Deuce Court). For each subsequent point, the server will then alternate between serving from the Deuce Court and the Ad-Court (left side) until the end of the game.
Receiver Side Location
For singles, the receiver will move to receive the serve on the opposite side of the court from the server. For doubles, players of the receiving team must maintain their same starting positions for every serve throughout the game.
Within a Tiebreak
End Rotation
Unlike within a regular game, player/teams will switch ends during the tiebreak game. The location for the first serve of the tiebreak is determined just is done for a regular game. The player/teams will then switch ends every six points (e.g. when the tiebreak score is 4-2, or 6-6). Note that this will happen in the middle of a servers’ two-points of serve possession.
Server Rotation
The first server of the tiebreak is determined just is done for a regular game. Unlike within a regular game, possession of the serve does rotate between players on every odd tiebreak point (1st, 3rd, 5th …). The first server gets to serve for one point, then each server serves for 2 points before they pass to the next player/team. The server rotation math trick for games do not apply within the tiebreak.
Note that the server rotation within the tiebreak, has no affect on who serves the next game after the tiebreak.
Server Side Location
The first serve of the tiebreak will be from the right side (Deuce Court). For each subsequent point, the serve position will then alternate between serving from the Deuce Court and the Ad-Court (left side) until the end of the game.
Receiver Side Location
For singles, the receiver will move to receive the serve on the opposite side of the court from the server. For doubles, players of the receiving team must maintain their starting position for every serve throughout the tiebreak game.
Conclusion
Understanding these rules is crucial for players at all levels, as the serve and server rotation are integral components of match strategy and dynamics in tennis. Whether you're playing competitively or for fun, grasping these rules will enhance your appreciation and performance in the game.
Related Topics:
Traditional Rules for Tennis Score Keeping,
The Unique History of Tennis Score Keeping,
The History of Grand Slam Tennis,
Exploring Alternative Score Keeping Formats