Tennis · Laws of Tennis
Law 14: Order of Service
1 parts · 1 tests · 10 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown
Who serves each game: server and receiver swap after every game, and in doubles each team chooses its first server for the set and the partners then take turns.
14.141Order of Service
Changing server after each game, and the doubles serving rotation through a set.
Test 1Who serves each gameTake a test
Server and receiver swap roles at the end of each game.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 14 · recall
The serving team chooses its own first server for the set.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 14 · recall
Before game two, the other team chooses its own server.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 14 · recall
The partner of the first game's server serves the third game.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 14 · applied
Game 4 goes to D, the partner of C.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 14 · applied
The order repeats game by game to the end of the set.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 14 · recall
Each set begins with the teams choosing their first servers again.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 14 · recall
The teams alternate, and within each team the partners alternate.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 14 · applied
Each team chooses its server just before its first service game of the set.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 14 · recall
Game 3 goes to the partner of the player who served game 1.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 14 · applied
Sources
ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 14 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 1410