Compare and Contrast the Service Rules in Badminton and Tennis

In badminton and tennis, global participation is growing steadily. In 2021, the value of their market size was USD 10706.33 million and within one year it grew to USD 11362.63 million. There could be multiple reasons but one is their service rules that are interesting for audiences. I remained strictly on your query about “services of both games” throughout the blog. First I tried to briefly explain important terminologies of both games that can be helpful for totally new persons to these games and if you already know them then directly go to the outline “Comparison and contrast in service rules of Badminton and tennis” using “table of contents”.

Important terminologies used in badminton & Tennis

There are many terminologies used in both games but I mentioned only those that are related to service in both games for easy understanding of the comparison.

“Service” In badminton and tennis

Service is the action of the player. When the player hits a shuttlecock or ball, it is called service. The goal of the player is to ensure that it travels and lands in the opponent’s service court.

“Rally” In badminton and tennis

A Rally is a sequence of shots, where the shuttlecock or ball is hit back and forth between opposing players or teams. The rally begins with service and it ends when shuttle cock or ball hit the ground.

“Service Box” In badminton and tennis

Service Box is a specific area in the court. It is the place where the player must stand to start the game.

“Let Service” in tennis

When a served ball touches the net but still lands in the proper search box, it is called Let service. In this case, the server takes another shot without any penalty.

“Double Fault”  in tennis

When a player makes two consecutive errors. As a result, the ball does not land in the proper search box. It is called  Double Fault. That player loses a point. 

“Deuce” in tennis

When both players or teams have won three points each in a game, a Deuce occurs. Then a player or team wins when make two consecutive points.

“Advantage in, Advantage out”  in tennis

In Deuce, if a player or team (server) wins one point then that player or team has Advantage in. If the receiver player or team wins the point after deuce, then they have Advantage out. So it needs one more point to win.

The service rules in badminton

 

• • The winner of the toss chooses to serve first or which side of the court he wants.

• • The server stands on the right side of the service court.

• • When he strikes the shuttlecock, his both feet must be in contact with the floor.

• • The server and receiver must stand diagonally on opposite sides

• • They should not touch the boundaries of the court

• • Players can switch sides when the point is won ‘on serve’ in doubles.

• • The player serves underarm to the service box.

• • Players’ feet must be stationary until the serve is made.

• • The team that wins the rally serves first in the next rally.

• • Players change sides after each point.

• • A match is played best out of three games.

• • Each game is played to 21 points.

• • The player wins points when the opponent commits faults.

• • Faults are shuttlecock landing outside of boundaries, a player’s foot crossing the boundary, fault serve, double hits in one turn, player touching the net, in doubles, moving the receiver his feet before serve, and invading the opponent’s court.

• • Last and most common, a player who wins a rally, adds a point to his side.

The service rules in tennis

 

• • Who serves first is determined by the coin toss winning.

• • If the server is on the right side of the court, he must deliver the ball in the left side service box and vice versa.

• • After making each point, players have 25 seconds to prepare for the next serve.

• • If a player fails to deliver the ball into the service box, it counts fault.

• • If a player steps on or over the baseline, it is also a fault.

• • Point losses when two consecutive faults are committed.

• • After let service, the receiver gets another chance to serve without penalty.

• • Servers can switch sides after each point.

• • Double faults result in the loss of a point.

• • Points are awarded as 15, 30, 40. 

• • The first point is 15 scores, the second is 30 scores and the third is 40 scores.

• • Winning of fourth point is the win of a game.

• • If both players have 40 scores, then a player must win a point from “advantage in or advantage out”.

• • The player won the set when he won at least six games.

• • If the set is with a 6-6 tie, a tiebreaker is played.

• • The player who wins the best of five sets wins the match.
  • A female player needs to win two out of three sets, to win the match.