Of all sports, tennis is famous for its etiquette. While sticking to a bunch of rules about how to behave on a tennis court might sound stuffy and old-fashioned, tennis etiquette actually makes the sport more enjoyable.

Good tennis etiquette won’t give you a bigger serve or a more accurate backhand, but it will make you more fun to share a court with.

When you are on court people are watching you. Get your game face on and use your game body language.

Cursing, talking to yourself and dirty looks illustrate that you are getting rattled. Don’t let your opponents know what you’re thinking.

Play your best at all times and remember to have fun!

ON COURT

WARM-UP LIKE A PRO

Keep your pre-match warm-up brief – the pros stick to five minutes, and so should you.

SERVE THE RIGHT WAY

Before you serve, make sure your opponent is ready to receive. While the rules say you should take no more than 20 seconds between points, you don’t want to win a point by serving at your opponent’s back.

NO RETURN NECESSARY

If your opponent serves a first-serve fault, don’t hit a return back to the server unless the call was so close that you had no option but to hit the ball.

BE CAREFUL OF KARMA

Make line calls clearly and promptly, and give your opponent the benefit of the doubt if you’re unsure. Tennis karma is a powerful force, and no one wants to give an opponent a short shift only to find themselves deep into a third-set tiebreak with the tennis gods frowning down on them!

IN OR OUT?

While it’s rude to question your opponent’s line calls, if you really think you are being diddled ask once, firmly: “Are you sure?” then move on.

RESPECT

WAIT YOUR TURN

Don’t barge your way onto the court until your allotted booking time. Flexing your biceps courtside won’t enhance your predecessors’ concentration and might earn you a mouthful of tennis ball. When your turn comes, let the people before you finish the game they are playing before taking over the court.

WALK WITH CARE

Don’t walk behind another court during a point, across someone else’s court while they’re in the middle of a game or interrupt a point on another court to retrieve a ball.

A TIME AND A PLACE

Be respectful of your opponent. While it’s fine to celebrate your successes, it’s not polite to pump your fists, hiss “yes” or high-five spectators when your opponent makes an error.

DO THE RIGHT THING

Apologise if you win a lucky point or if you accidentally hit your opponent with a ball.

GOOD SHOTS

Congratulate your opponent’s good shots, even if there are just plain lucky ones.

DON’T THROUGH TANTRUMS

Don’t have a tantrum if things aren’t going your way. Keep your racket in your hand and avoid dropping or throwing it. Don’t smash your racket into the court or fence - it is very costly to replace your racket.

BAD LANGUAGE

Refrain from using foul language or yelling obscenities.

RESPECT

Show respect and consideration to any EBTC volunteer, official or supervisor who assists with the administration and / or delivery of tennis.