Journal Entry #26

Compare and contrast two sports.

The Differences Between Table tennis and Tennis

Although tennis and table tennis are sports in which two or four people hit a ball back and forth to each other, there are quite a few differences. The first difference is the equipment. Players have rackets in table tennis while stringed rackets is used in tennis. Table tennis games take place on a table divided by a net whereas tennis is played on a rectangular, flat surface, usually grass or a hard court. The ball used in table tennis is very small, about 2 – 3 gram, made of plastic, and colored white or orange. Tennis, however, requires a rubber ball. The second difference between table tennis and tennis is the rules of the games. In table tennis, players allow a ball played towards them only one bounce on their sides of the table and return it so that it bounces on the opponent's side. Any hitting of the ball must be done such that the ball passes over the net. If the ball is strucked such that it travels around the net, but still lands on the opponent's side of the table, the hit is recognizable and the play is continued. If the opponent cannot return it over the net and make it bounce on your side, then you win the point. The players have to have quick reactions. In a tennis game, there are many rules. One player starts behind his baseline, between the center mark and the sideline. The receiver may start anywhere on their side of the net. When the receiver is ready, the opponent will serve, the receiver must play according to the speed of the opponent. Table tennis now is one of the favorite sports in Asian countries, especially in China. Also, tennis has attracted millions of people around the world in various tournaments such as Wimbledon in Europe.