Learn the fundamentals of Mario Tennis Aces, including game rules, scoring, basic shots like topspin, slice, and flat, and how to serve effectively to dominate your opponents.
Success in Mario Tennis Aces relies on your knowledge of core fundamentals of the game. From the basic shot types to new game mechanics, you're sure to find useful information in this section.
This section provides a comprehensive list of important information you should familiarize yourself with before playing.
Game Rules
Because Mario Tennis Aces is a sports game, it's important to be aware of the rules of tennis. As with any sport, there are a myriad of terms that define the sport itself, and tennis is no exception. Here's a generalized breakdown of the rules of tennis:
Objective
The objective of tennis is to outscore your opponent by forcing them to fail in returning the ball to you. Tennis matches are played by playing a specified number of games within a specified number of sets. To win a tennis match, you must win the specified number of sets; to win a set, you must win the specified number of games within it.
If a set is tied, the game will enter a tiebreaker. When playing a tiebreaker, the first player to score seven points is the winner. If the score of the tiebreaker becomes tied at 6-6, the tiebreaker will continue until a player is ahead by two points.
Serving
The server must send the ball to the receiver's side of the court, and on the opposite side of where the serve was made from. For example, if the server starts on the left side of the court, the ball must be served to the right side of the court on the opponent's side (as viewed by the server - it will end up being the same side of the court for the receiver). See the diagram below for an illustration.
If the serve is made on the blue line, it must impact the blue zone on the opposite side of the court. Similarly, if the serve is made on the green line, it must impact the green zone on the opposite side of the court.
If a serve does not enter the proper side of the court, it is considered a fault, and the serve will be reattempted. If a second fault occurs, it is considered a double fault, and the point will be awarded to the other player.
If a served ball hits the net and bounces into the correct area of play, it is called a let, and the serve will be reattempted.
Play Area
Playing the ball must occur within established boundaries. These boundaries start from the net and extend to painted lines on the court. See the diagram below for an illustration.
The blue lines denote the play area for doubles play. The green lines denote the play area for singles play.
If the ball is played outside of these established boundaries, it is considered out, and the point is awarded to the other player.
Scoring
Scoring in tennis is accomplished by causing your opponent to fail in returning the ball to you. If your opponent is unable to legally return a ball to you, you are awarded a point. In tennis, scoring is always announced in this format: server's score - receiver's score.
Scoring in tennis is unique, where points are counted at 15, 30, and 40. A game is won when a player scores again after reaching 40.
A deuce occurs when both players reach 40. When a game is in a deuce, a player must score twice consecutively to win the game. The first player to score after a deuce is given the advantage - often abbreviated as Adv. - if the player scores again while on the advantage, the game is won; if the opponent scores, the game returns to a deuce.
Service Aces
A service ace occurs when the ball is legally served to an opponent and is not legally returned. A service ace results in the point being awarded to the server.
Return Aces
Similar to service aces, a return ace occurs when the ball is legally returned after a serve, and the server fails to legally continue the point. Return aces are only considered for the immediate play after the serve.
Basic Shots
These shots are the fundamental basics of playing tennis, and you should quickly learn how to perform and counter these types of shots.
Serving the Ball
A serve (or service) begins a point rally and is hit to your opponent. You can use any shot button to start a serve, then press it again to swing. Pay attention to the ball when serving; if you can deliver the serve when the ball reaches its maximum height, a "NICE" message will appear by your character, and the serve will be a bit more powerful.
Topspin
This type of shot is fast and has a high bounce. Press to execute a topspin shot. This shot can be identified by a red trail behind the ball. Using these shots with a Max Charge Shot will cause your opponent to be knocked back a little.
Note: Counter these shots by returning the ball with a Slice Shot to reduce the knock-back effect.
Swing Mode Controls: To perform this shot in Swing Mode, swing the Joy-Con controller diagonally from your waist up.
Slice
This type of shot is slow and doesn't have much bounce, however it curves to the side quite a bit. Press to perform a slice. Use the Left Joystick to put even more curve on the shot. Slice shots have a blue trail behind the ball. Using this shot with a Max Charge Shot will cause your opponent to spin and be knocked back a little.
Note: Counter these shots by returning the ball with a Topspin Shot to reduce the knock-back effect.
Swing Mode Controls: To perform this shot in Swing Mode, swing the Joy-Con controller diagonally from your shoulder down.
Flat
This shot is the fastest basic shot available, but doesn't have a lot of bounce. Press to perform this shot. Flat shots have a purple trail behind the ball.
Note: Counter these shots by returning the ball with a Flat Shot to reduce the knock-back effect.
Swing Mode Controls
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