Tennis basics are the rules, equipment and court.  Tennis rules are quite simple but like any sport there is always room for disagreement.  One of the less discussed rules is the foot fault rule.  If a player steps over the service line during the service that is a foot fault.  Without a linesman to call balls in, out, let service, etc this is more of an etiquette issue.

While each singles player and each doubles team players generally are agree that each player or team calls balls on there half of the court there can be occasional disagreements over calls.  If you want to continue to be a favored opponent or partner you will not push a call in the opponents court.

Basically the scores in tennis are love or 0, 15, 30, 40, game or duce.  Love or 0 is the first score.  Once one team reaches a score of 30 if the opposition also reaches that score then the score is generally 30 all.  If a team reaches 40 and the opposition also reaches that equivalent the score is duce.  This simply means that each team has the same score and the team to score two additional points in a row will complete and win the game.

Players often check net height by placing their racket butt end on the ground midway of the net and then from the racket top measure an additional racket width.  If the net is above or below this measurement then a net adjustment needs to be made.  Often this is not done easily or it may even be impossible.  In such a case the players agree to play regardless of the net height.

Many players are faced with wet weather that will leave the courts with water puddles.  If this happens it is generally up to the players to brush (squeegee) the water off.  Some city courts also provide windbreaker screens. These are desirable assets but not always available.  Once they are put in place they are permanent.  

Years ago the only proper tennis attire was white.  Today that is taboo.  Tournament play has changed the face of tennis and the purse as well.  The average player is not playing for a purse and the attire is totally up to each player.  Depending on the weather players wear everything from the skimpiest to the warmest outfits.