So, how do you even decide who serves first in tennis? Does it have something to do with the rules or do the players make their own decision?

Tennis is a sport that has a lot of regulations, which might be frightening if you're just learning how to play. The size of the court, the scoring system, where you should strike the ball, and how the points function are all governed by rules. However, even if you study all of the details, you won't be able to play a match unless you figure out who should serve first.

There is no regulation that determines who should go first in tennis. Either players or teams must agree on a single method to make a decision. So, in a tennis match, how do you figure out who serves first? Rock-paper-scissors, racket spins, and even coin tosses are some of the most common ways to decide.

The winning team or player chooses one of the following options after a racket spin, rock paper scissor, or a coin toss: defer to the opponent, choose a side, receive first, or serve first. The opponent chooses a side if they wish to serve or receive first.

After conducting our research and speaking with some of the most experienced tennis players, we have put together this guide to help you learn more about serving in tennis.

How Do You Decide Who Gets To Serve First?

The coin toss is the conventional method for determining who serves first in professional competitions, whereas the racket spin is mostly accepted among club players. Once the "game" winner has been determined, he or she can choose to serve or return first.

In a tennis match, there is no such regulation that determines who serves first. The mediator executes a coin toss in professional competitions, and the winner determines whether he or she wants to receive or serve first. However, if you're playing with a friend or in a club tournament, there are a few options for deciding who serves first.

Spin of the Racket

The racket spin is the most popular means to identify who serves first. In the bottom of each racket's grip, there is a logo, letter, or design that varies depending on the racket's brand.

The racket spin is performed by player A covering the bottom of the racket grip and rotating it. Player B selects "big line down" or "big line up" (in case it is a Babolat racket), or "W" or "M" (in case it is a Wilson racket). The second player then instructs the first player when to stop spinning, and the winner is determined by the result of the spin.

Toss a coin

In professional matches, the coin toss is the most popular technique of determining who serves first. The coin toss is normally performed by the umpire with both players standing at the net. One of the players chooses whether to defer, receive, or serve, and the winner of the coin toss determines whether to defer, receive, or serve.

Rock-Paper-Scissor

The third way for determining who serves first is to play a round of rock-paper-scissors. If the players don't have a penny in their hands and their rackets don't have a logo on the bottom of the grip, this will be done. We’re assuming that our readers already know how rock-paper-scissors work.

The oldest person makes the decision

The fourth and final method for determining who serves first is to allow the oldest player to make the decision. This is the least fair of the three methods, but it can be used if a player desires to show respect to an older player.

Serve, Return, or Defer in a Tennis Coin Toss

The winner of the "duel" must determine whether to defer, receive, or serve to the other player after both players have completed the rock-paper-scissors game, racket spin, or coin toss. A fourth option for players is to choose which side of the court they want to start the match on.

This is ultimately a matter of personal preference: some players believe serving first has an advantage, while others prefer to return, and still others want to see what the opposing player will do.

After the victor of the "duel" has made their first choice, the opponent has the option to make their own. For example, if Player A wins the coin toss and decides to serve, Player B can pick which side of the court to begin serving on. Player B, on the other hand, can select whether to serve or receive if Player A chooses a side. After each game, players will take turns serving once the match begins.

Who gets to serve first in case of a tie?

If the players are tied at 6 games apiece, they must play a tiebreak — a special game intended to break a tie. The serving rotation in a tiebreak differs from that of other games. The opening point is served by one player, followed by two points by each player until the set is completed.

Players may become perplexed while deciding who is supposed to serve initially during a tiebreak due to the various serving rotations. The policies are in fact quite simple, as the turns should be taken in the same order as before. As a result, if Player A served during the previous game before the tiebreak, the opening point for the tiebreak will be served by Player B.

Who serves first in the second set?

Similarly, determining who serves first in tennis in the second set can be perplexing. If the previous set finished in a score other than 76, the players should simply resume serving in the normal sequence — for example, if player A served in the final game of the first put, player B should serve first in the second set.

Things get a little trickier if the last set finished with a 76% score. The player who began receiving in the previous set tiebreak should begin serving in the second set tiebreak.

What Are The Advantages Of Being the First To Serve?

While it may appear to be a minor consideration, deciding whether to serve or receive first can have a significant impact on the match's outcome. Serving or receiving is largely a question of personal choice, but players can base their selection on their tactics against various opponents.

In a tennis competition, the primary serve provides the benefit of having a greater advantage if you can break your opponent’s serve. You will have a game lead if you can break your rival’s serve and hold on to your serve. However, if you decide to receive first, you will only have a 2-game lead.

If you're facing a mentally inferior opponent or prefer the feeling of having a significant perceptual edge, serving first will help you achieve that.

Returning first, on the other hand, maybe advantageous if you have a habit of starting games slowly or believe your opponent does as well. If you take it slowly at first, returning first will allow you to play one entire game before moving on to your service game, which will help you get into a good rhythm. Returning first will give you an excellent chance to break your opponent's serve right away if you believe they will start the game slowly.

Finally, you may wish to delay, allowing your opponent to determine what to do first. If one of the court's sides gets a lot of sun or wind, you might find it beneficial to do so. If you opt to defer, you can wait for your opponent to decide whether he or she wants to serve or return before choosing your side. By doing so, you may ensure that you will not begin the match serving against the sun, which could result in your service being broken immediately away.

If you're playing a casual game of tennis, you might not give much mind to who serves first and instead provide your opponent the opportunity to serve first. If you're a serious player or competing in a USTA match, though, you'll need to select who serves and who chooses sides appropriately. If they choose a side, the opponent has the option of serving or receiving. By deferring to the opponent, you are providing them with a list of possibilities.