Tennis · Guide
The tie-break explained
At six games all, a tie-break decides the set. Points are counted one, two, three; first to seven with a two-point lead wins, and the set goes down as 7–6.
Step by step
- The player due to serve next serves the first point, from the right.
- The opponent then serves the next two points, starting from the left.
- Players keep alternating, two serves each.
- Change ends after every six points.
- First to seven, two clear, wins. At 6–6 in the tie-break, it continues until someone leads by two.
The player who received first in the tie-break serves first in the next set.
The 10-point tie-break
A longer version, first to ten by two. It is used in two places:
- The final set at the Grand Slams: since 2022 all four decide a final set at 6–6 with a 10-point tie-break, ending the marathon final sets of the past.
- Doubles: a "match tie-break" to ten often replaces the whole third set.
How it is written
A set won on a tie-break is written 7–6, often with the loser's tie-break points in brackets: 7–6(4) means the tie-break finished 7–4.
Quick answers
- How does a tennis tie-break work?
- At 6–6, players count points 1, 2, 3 instead of 15, 30, 40. First to seven points with a two-point lead wins the tie-break and the set 7–6.
- Who serves in a tie-break?
- The player due to serve next serves the first point. After that, players serve two points each in turn.
- What is a 10-point tie-break?
- The same, but first to ten by two. It decides the final set at all four Grand Slams at 6–6, and often replaces a third set in doubles.
- When do players change ends in a tie-break?
- After every six points.