Tennis · Guide
Tennis scoring explained
Points make games, games make sets, sets make matches. A game goes love, 15, 30, 40, game; a set is first to six games by two; a match is best of three sets, or five for men at the Grand Slams.
Points in a game
| Points won | Called |
|---|---|
| 0 | Love |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 30 |
| 3 | 40 |
| 4 | Game (if two clear) |
The server's score is said first: "30–15" means the server has won two points and the receiver one.
Deuce and advantage
At 40–40 it is deuce. Win the next point and you have advantage; win the one after and you take the game. Lose it and you are back to deuce. In professional doubles, no-ad scoring is used instead: one deciding point at deuce, with the receivers choosing which side to receive.
Sets
- First to six games, with a two-game lead: 6–4 wins, 6–5 does not.
- At 6–6, a tie-break decides the set, which is recorded as 7–6.
- Players change ends after the first game and then after every two games.
Matches
- Best of three sets for almost all matches.
- Best of five for men's singles at the four Grand Slams.
- In doubles, a match tie-break (first to 10) often replaces the third set.
Reading a score
"6–4, 3–6, 7–6(5)" means the winner took the first set 6–4, lost the second 3–6, and won the third on a tie-break, losing 5 points in it.
Quick answers
- Why is tennis scored 15, 30, 40?
- Nobody knows for certain. The most popular theory is a clock face with quarters, where 45 was shortened to 40.
- What does love mean in tennis?
- Zero.
- What is deuce in tennis?
- 40–40. From there a player must win two points in a row: the first gives advantage, the second wins the game.
- How many sets are in a tennis match?
- Best of three for most matches. Men's singles at the four Grand Slams are best of five.
- What is no-ad scoring?
- At deuce, one deciding point wins the game. It is used in professional doubles.