In tennis, does the ball have to bounce before returning it?

Question

I know after the serve you have to let it bounce, but afterwards, do you still have to let it bounce at least once?

Answer 1

NOT NECESSARY.
YOU MAY HIT IT BEFORE BOUNCE.

ANYHOW, MAXIMUM I BOUNCE ALLOWED TO RETURN BACK THE BALL.

Answer 2

moni is very wrong. no it doesnt. everyone else was correct when they said it doesnt, because it can be played as a volley. If you are further back you should check where your standing though, because if it hasnt bounced it may very well go out of bounds and you get the point. But if your at the net and its low enough for you to hit it and it hasnt bounced,or has, you may hit it and it will count. A lot of tennis players make most of their points at the nets.. spiking the ball!

Answer 3

As many have said, no, it doesn't. However, it's not necessarily a "volley" if you hit it out of the air. You can hit a swinging volley, a ground stroke, an overhead, etc., before the ball bounces, even if you are near the baseline (which is not recommended but does happen).

Answer 4

No. In fact when a player comes to the net it is usually to their advantage to hit the ball before it bounces.

Answer 5

yes the ball has to bounce before returning it

Answer 6

No, In fact Vollying is one of the smartest things a player can do. Instead of having long drawn out baseline to baseline points hitting a nice approch shot then coming to the net can quickly earn you the point. In doubles it is weird NOT to have a person at net (or both)

Answer 7

no not at all.
well except for the return of serve indeed but then again there's no way you could return a serve without letting it bounce :-p

Answer 8

No, and you don't have to let it bounce after a serve but people do to make sure it won't be out

Answer 9

No. If it doesn't bounce it's called a volley.

Answer 10

Moni is wrong. It does not have to bounce be fore you hit it. It is called a volley when this is done.