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A detailed explanation of the tennis scoring system

How Does Tennis Scoring System Work?: A Beginner’s Guide

The tennis scoring system follows the sequential order: Point→Game→Set→Match. A Game consists of points, a Set consists of Games, and a Match comprises some Sets. But it’s not that simple. Winning more Points or Games may not always result in winning a Match. 

From Love to Deuce, this article covers every detailed explanation of the tennis scoring system in an easy-to-understand approach to give you more insight into the game.

Point is the elementary scoring system in tennis. ‘Love’ is the starting point in a game. It denotes zero point / no point. At “Love All”, the game starts with zero points. The point system scoring steps are 0, 15, 30, Game or Deuce.

Start/ No Point  Love (0)
First Point15
Second Point30
Third Point40
Forth PointGame / Deuce
The next point at “Deuce”Advantage

A server starts the game at “Love All”. If he wins the point, the score becomes 15 – 0. If the opponent wins, the score becomes 0 – 15. The game continues in this pattern, till either one of the players reaches the third point, i.e. 40. Then whoever wins the fourth point, wins the game.

Let’s clarify with an example

Player APlayer BScore
The game starts at “Love All”0 – 0
Winner15 – 0
Winner15 – 15
Winner15 – 30
Winner30 – 30
Winner40 – 30
WinnerPlayer A wins the Game

But if the score ties at 40 – 40, this point of equality is called “Deuce”. 

In the above example, let’s say the player B wins the point when the score is 40 – 30. Now the score becomes 40 – 40 which is ‘Deuce’ in tennis terminology.

Player APlayer BScore
The game starts at “Love All”0 – 0
Winner15 – 0
Winner15 – 15
Winner15 – 30
Winner30 – 30
Winner40 – 30
—-Winner40 – 40 i.e. Deuce

At “deuce”, a two-point lead is a must to win the game. The next point is “Advantage”. In the scoreboard, it is written as “AD”. The player who wins the next point after “Deuce”, gets the “Advantage”. If he wins the very next point, he wins the game. But, if the opponent wins that point, it is again a “Deuce”. The game continues in this fashion till any of the players gets the two points lead to conclude the game.

Player APlayer BScore
Winner—-‘A’ gets ‘Advantage’
WinnerDeuce
Winner‘B’ gets ‘Advantage’
Winner‘B’ wins the Game

In the above example, ‘B’ wins 2 consecutive points after “Deuce” and becomes the winner.

Point system in the game of tennis
Player A in “Advantage” position in the 7th game

We have already discussed how to win a game. Similarly, to win a set, one needs more games in his favor. A player has to win 6 games with a margin of 2 or more games than his opponent. It may be 6-0, 6-4, 3-6, or 2-6. In each set, the winner satisfies two conditions:

  • He has won 6 games
  • There is a difference of 2 or more games between the winner and loser.

But if it is 5 games all, i.e. 5-5:

  • The set may end at 7-5
  • The tie-break situation will arrive when there is a game of equality at 6-6. The player wins the tie-break, he wins the set at 7-6.

In a tie-break game, the points are “0”, “1”, “2”, and so on. The player who reaches 7 points with a minimum 2-point lead, wins the game and the set (example: 7-0, 3-7, 7-5). The game goes beyond 7 points if the 2-point lead is not achieved (example: 8-6, 12-10, 11-13).

The player who wins the tie-breaker wins the set at 7-6. In this situation, the ti-break points sit after the game points. If a player wins the tie-break at 13-11, the score looks like that 7–6(13–11)

Tiebreak score in a tennis game
Player A wins the Tiebreak by 13-11

Tennis matches are either best of 3 sets or best of 5 sets. Only the prestigious Grand Slams and the ATP Final are best of 5 sets in the Men’s Singles category. Otherwise, all other international events follow the best-of-3-sets rule for Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.

Score sheet of a tennis match
A’ wins the match by 3-2

1. How many games in a set of tennis?

It ranges from 6 to 13 games. When a player wins a set most comprehensively by 6-0, the set consists of only 6 games. In case, it is a tough contest and the result is 7-6 via a tiebreaker, it’s a 13-game set.

2. How many sets in tennis to win?

In a best-of-5 sets match, a player needs a minimum of 3 sets (3-0) in his favor to win. If the final score is 3-1 or 3-2, the match ends in 4 and 5 sets respectively. Likewise, for the best of 3 sets, a match ends in 2 sets (2-0) or 3 sets (2-1).

3. What is “Let” in tennis?

If a serve touches the net but bounces in the right area of the opponent’s court, it’s a Let in tennis and the serve is retaken. No point is awarded to any of the players.

4. What is a “Double Fault”?

A player gets 2 chances in a serve. If the First serve goes wrong, he gets the opportunity for a second serve. If the second serve is also incorrect, it’s a “Double Fault” and the receiver gets the point.

5. What is a “Break Point” in tennis?

“Break Point” is a terminology used in tennis when a receiver is one point away from winning a game. At 0-40, the receiver has 3 Break Points. At 15-40, the receiver has the opportunity of 2 Break Points, and at 30-40 he has 1 chance to break the service game.

Related Topic: “Rules in Tennis for Singles and Doubles Game

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