• Tennis players need to know the rules of tennis.tennis player image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
  
  A set in tennis is one of the components that make up a tennis match. Typically, a match consists of the best two out of three sets. Each set is made up of games, and games are made up of points. Set rules are designed to keep play continuous and are quick to learn. To make the experience of playing tennis enjoyable for all, players should know and understand these rules.
  
  

Serving Rules

• To start the match, a coin toss determines who will serve first in the set. The winner of the toss has three choices: To serve or receive; which side to start play on; or to have the other player make the choices. Once the choice is made, the other player has the remaining choice. After each set ends, the player who received the serve in the last game of the previous set starts the new set as the server. The server serves game one and then the serve goes to the other player for game two. The serve alternates between players throughout the set.
  
  

Set Format

• Players can win a game whether they are serving or receiving. According to the rules, a set is won when a player wins six games with a margin of two games. For example, a set can be won with a score of 6-2, 6-4, or 7-5. If the game score within a set becomes tied at 6 games each, a 12-point tie-break game is usually played to determine the set winner. To win the tie-break game, a player must win seven points with a margin of two points.
  
  

Changing Ends

• Players change ends of the court after the first game and after every odd game. If the set ends with an even number of games played, such as 6-4 or 6-2, players will stay on their side of the court and play the first game of the new set before switching ends.
  
  

Match Tie-Break Set

• In some tournaments and league play, when the first two sets have been split between players, a match tie-breaker is played instead of a third set. This starts with the server serving only one point. The serve then goes to the other player who serves the next two points. The serve continues to alternate between players for two points at a time until one player has won 10 points with a margin of two points. Players change ends after every six points. A tournament or league has the option of having players change ends after every four points.
  
  

Time Rules

• According to the 2010 ATP World Tour Rulebook, players are allowed a 90-second time break when they change ends of the court. Between sets, players are allowed a 120-second time break. In addition to these rules, and according to the 2010 WTA Official Rulebook, in extreme heat conditions players in a singles match are allowed a 10-minute break between the second and third set.