25/09/2026
Respect the game The basic tennis etiquette rules from Cudlee Creek Tennis Club
Learn to Lead Tennis with Miss-Hits BTCA Tennis Legacy Foundation Northern Ireland
Here are a few basic tennis etiquette rules.
Before the Match
• Arrive on time to respect everyone’s time
• Decide the server
• Warm up gently: Keep the warm-up short (about 15 minutes) and hit balls to your opponent, rather than trying to blast winners past them.
During Play
• Announce the score: Say the game score out loud before each point so both sides stay aligned.
• Call lines honestly: Make clear calls for your side of the net. As a consensus among players
• Maintain silence: Keep noise to a minimum and wait for a point to finish before moving or speaking loudly near active courts.
• Manage ball movement: Never return a ball or cross behind an adjacent court while a point is in progress. Wait until the rally ends, then gently roll or pass stray balls back along the back fence.
• Acknowledge lucky shots: Raise a hand or offer a quick apology if a ball clips the net cord or results in a fluky winner