If you’re just getting into tennis, the “serve area” can be a bit confusing. Where do you stand to serve? Where does the ball need to land?
And what changes when you’re playing doubles instead of singles? Let’s break it all down.
What is the tennis serve area?
The tennis serve area includes the baseline, center mark, and two diagonal service boxes across the net. The server must stand behind the baseline between the center mark and sideline, and serve diagonally into the opposite service box. In doubles, the court is wider, but the service boxes remain the same.
📍Tennis Serve Area Basics
The tennis serve area is made up of three key zones:
- The Baseline: This is where the server stands. You must be behind this line until the ball is struck.
- The Center Mark: Splits the baseline and helps define legal server positioning.
- The Service Boxes: Two rectangular boxes on the opponent’s side where your serve must land — one on the deuce side and one on the ad side.
The server hits from behind the baseline and must aim diagonally across the net into the correct service box.
🎯 Baseline Serving Rules
- You must stand behind the baseline, not touching or stepping on it.
- You must be between the center mark and sideline on your half of the court.
- Alternate serving from the right (deuce) and left (ad) sides on each point.
- Your serve must land in the diagonally opposite service box.
If your foot touches or crosses the baseline before contact, it’s a foot fault — and counts as a serve error.
🎾 Service Boxes (Where to Aim)
Each side of the court has two service boxes:
- Deuce court (right side)
- Ad court (left side)
The net splits them horizontally, and the center service line divides them vertically.
To be legal, the ball must:
- Cross the net without touching it (unless it’s a let)
- Land in the correct box, past the service line and within the side lines.
🎾 Singles vs Doubles: What’s Different?
| Rule | Singles | Doubles |
|---|---|---|
| Serve box | ✅ Same | ✅ Same |
| Baseline position | ✅ Same | ✅ Same |
| Court width | ❌ Narrower | ✅ Wider (alleys in play) |
| Where to aim | Diagonally into same-sized box | Diagonally into same-sized box |
Even though doubles uses a wider court, the service box size never changes.
That means your serve target doesn’t change — just the space around you and your angles.
🎾 Pro Tip: In doubles, wider angles are available — so slice and kick serves become even more valuable.
🚫 Common Serve Area Mistakes
- Standing too close to the sideline: Can lead to inconsistent angle and foot faults.
- Hitting down the line instead of crosscourt: Always serve diagonally.
- Landing outside the box: In both singles and doubles, this results in a fault.
If you fault twice in a row, you lose the point. If your serve clips the net and lands in the correct box, it’s a let serve, and you get to try again.
🧠 How to Practice Serving Into the Correct Area
- Draw chalk lines or place cones at service box corners
- Use target markers like towels or tennis ball cans
- Serve slowly at first to build consistency
- Alternate between singles and doubles sidelines to practice both
How I Fixed My Own Foot Fault Problem
A Simple Positioning Trick to Stop Foot Faults Fas
Believe it or not, the most common foul players make is a foot fault.
Even I had issues during a short period of time, where I would almost smudge my foot on the floor towards the baseline
and step into the court before hitting the serve. For a scenario like that,
the best quick fix is to stand a few inches farther back than your usual stance.
The Technique Adjustment That Solved It for Good
The second — and best — solution is to train your toss and rhythm so your momentum drives upward and forward after contact, not before.
I recommend filming your serve from the side to catch any early lean or step,
and practicing with a strip of tape a few inches behind the baseline as a physical reminder.
Also, focus on leaning evenly on both feet when you toss the ball, and arching your hips and torso while in the trophy position.
This loading phase will prevent you from stepping early — the key is maintaining balance while storing energy for the explosion upward into the ball.
📥 Final Thoughts
The tennis serve area might look simple at first glance, but it plays a huge role in how you start every point — in both singles and doubles.
Remember:
- Stand behind the baseline between the center mark and sideline
- Serve diagonally across into the correct box
- Follow the same box rules whether playing singles or doubles
With practice, mastering the serve area becomes second nature — and sets you up for success from the very first shot.
Where does the server have to stand?
Behind the baseline, between the center mark and the appropriate sideline (singles line in singles, doubles line in doubles) until the ball is struck.
Do the service boxes change in doubles?
No. The court gets wider (alleys in play), but the service boxes are the same size in singles and doubles.
Do I have to serve diagonally?
Yes. From deuce side to the opponent’s deuce box, and from ad side to the ad box. Down-the-line serves are faults.
What counts as a foot fault?
Touching or crossing the baseline or the imaginary extension of the center mark/sideline before contact with the ball.
Can I land inside the court after I hit the serve?
Yes. You just can’t step on/over the line before striking the ball.
Is a serve that clips the net and lands in the box legal?
That’s a let. Replay the serve with no penalty.
Where should I aim in singles vs doubles?
Rules are the same; strategy differs. In doubles, wider angles (slice/kick) are more valuable because of the alleys and net player.
What if the ball lands on a line?
Lines are in. If any part of the ball touches the service line or sideline of the box, it’s a good serve.
🔗 Related Reading
🎾 What Are the Rules for Volleying in Tennis? →
Get clear on net play rules so you don’t lose points due to technical mistakes.