"I like very much tennis." I know very much should be at the end but I can't explain why in grammatical terms?
Can you help
Put simply, if you are using the "sentimental" terms love/like/hate/detest/abhor/adore etc, then you must put the noun/verb directly after the sentiment. Only after you have said what is you like or that you like doing, do you then qualify it by explaining the extent to which you like it.
I like tennis.
How much do you like it?
I like it (tennis) a lot.
I love swimming.
I hate jogging.
As the previous poster explained, with sport, we don't use the definite article. I like tennis. I hate golf. I detest snooker.