Tennis is one of those sports where you can be technically competent and still make everyone hate playing with you. Not because you're bad — because you don't know the unwritten rules.

These rules aren't complicated. They're mostly about respect for your opponent, the people on adjacent courts, and the game itself. Master them and you'll be welcome at any court, anywhere.

During Points

  • Stay quiet. When a point is being played — on your court or the one next to you — keep the volume down. No phone ringers, no shouting to your friend across the facility, no commentary on that shot your opponent just missed.
  • "Ball on!" If a ball rolls onto the court during a point, yell "ball on" immediately. Stop play. Replay the point. Safety first, always.
  • Wait to cross. If you need to walk behind a court, wait until the point is finished. Walking behind a court during a rally is the tennis equivalent of walking in front of someone at the movies. Don't be that person.

Serving and Between Points

  • Keep two balls when serving. Have your first and second serve balls ready. Don't make your opponent wait while you chase down a spare.
  • Retrieve strays after the point. If a ball rolls away, pick it up between points, not during play.
  • Give the server time. Don't rush between points. Let them set up, bounce the ball, find their rhythm. Rushing the server is passive-aggressive and everyone knows it.

Line Calls

In recreational tennis without officials, you call your own lines. This is a privilege built on trust.

  • If it's close, call it in. Give your opponent the benefit of the doubt. Always.
  • No arguments. If your opponent makes a call you disagree with, let it go. One point isn't worth a fight.
  • Be honest. You'll hit shots that land out and your opponent calls in. Correct them. "That was out, actually." They'll respect you for it — and you'll respect yourself.

The Warm-Up

  • Five minutes, no more. The warm-up is cooperative — you're both getting loose. Hit at a comfortable pace, aim to your opponent, and give them hittable balls.
  • Don't try to ace them in warm-up. Seriously. This isn't the match yet. People who blast winners during warm-up are universally disliked. Save it for the points that count.

After the Match

  • Shake hands at the net. Win or lose, walk to the net, shake hands, say "good match." This is non-negotiable. Tennis has maintained this tradition for over a century, and it matters.
  • Don't make excuses. "I wasn't feeling well" or "I haven't played in weeks" cheapens your opponent's win. If they beat you, they beat you. Congratulate them.

The PH Bonus Rule

On crowded court days — weekends at public courts, especially — be mindful of court time limits. If people are waiting, finish your set, shake hands, and rotate. Hogging a court when others are waiting isn't just bad etiquette — it's bad karma.

Remember: tennis etiquette isn't about being stuffy. It's about making the game enjoyable for everyone. Follow these rules, and you'll be the person everyone wants to play with.