Tennis is a racket sport played between either two players (singles) or two teams of two players each (doubles). The objective is to hit a ball over a net and into the opponent’s court in such a way that the opponent is unable to return it successfully. The game is played on a rectangular court with a net dividing the two sides. Points are awarded when the opponent fails to return the ball within the designated court boundaries.

The sport has a long history and is governed by specific rules and scoring systems, including the use of terms like “love,” “deuce,” and “advantage.” Players use a racket to strike the ball, which can be made of various materials and has specific design regulations. Tennis can be played on various surfaces such as grass, clay, and hard courts, each affecting the game’s pace and style. It is widely recognized as a competitive sport and is part of the Olympic Games, with numerous prestigious tournaments, including the four Grand Slam events: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.