What’s a Rally in Tennis?

A rally is the back-and-forth exchange of shots after the serve lands in play.

It’s the core of every point — and often the most exciting part.

1. How It Works
Once the serve is in, both players hit shots back and forth until someone wins the point. Rallies can be short (just a few shots) or long, drawn-out battles — and they reveal a lot about how a match is going.

2. Why It Matters
Rallies shape the rhythm of a match — but most of them are short. The first 2–4 shots (serve, return, and the next couple balls) decide the majority of points. That’s why strong starts — not just endurance — matter most.

Fun fact: Over 70% of pro rallies end within four shots — so those marathon points? They’re rare, but memorable.

👂 Where You’ll Hear It

“They just had a 25-shot rally.”
Translation: That was an all-out battle — and probably the highlight of the match.

“He ended the rally with a drop shot winner.”
Translation: After all that back-and-forth, he finished it with finesse.

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