Tennis · Laws of Tennis
Law 16: The Service
1 parts · 1 tests · 10 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown
How a serve is made: standing still behind the baseline between the centre mark and the sideline, releasing the ball by hand and hitting it before it lands.
16.161The Service
Where and how the server stands, releasing and hitting the ball, and the end of the service motion.
Test 1Making the serveTake a test
The server stands behind the baseline, between the centre mark and the sideline.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 16 · recall
The server starts from a standstill.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 16 · recall
Behind means on the far side of the line from the net.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 16 · recall
The Rules do not fix the direction of the release.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 16 · recall
The serve is struck from the air.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 16 · recall
The motion ends at the swing, whether or not it makes contact.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 16 · recall
A player able to use only one arm may release the ball from the racket.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 16 · applied
The motion begins from rest and ends at the swing.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 16 · recall
The racket replaces the hand for the release.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 16 · applied
B straddles the mark, C is inside the court and D is out wide of the singles court.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 16 · applied
Sources
ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 16 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 1610