Tennis scoring works in three layers: points build games, games build sets, and sets decide the match. Points are called love, fifteen, thirty and forty, a player must win a game by two clear points, and a set usually goes to the first player to win six games by a margin of two, with a tiebreak used when the set reaches six games all.
The system looks strange at first because the numbers do not count up evenly, but once you see the pattern it becomes easy to follow on television or at a local club. This guide walks through each layer in order.
Points: Love, Fifteen, Thirty, Forty
Every game starts at zero, which in tennis is called love. The first point won takes a player to fifteen, the second to thirty and the third to forty. Winning the next point usually wins the game. The server’s score is always called first, so a call of thirty-fifteen means the server has two points and the receiver has one.
Nobody knows for certain why tennis uses these words. One popular explanation links the numbers to the quarters of a clock face used by early scorekeepers, with forty later shortened from forty-five. The origin of love is also debated. What matters for a new fan is simply learning the four calls in order.
- No points: love
- One point: fifteen
- Two points: thirty
- Three points: forty
- Next point, with a lead of two: game
Deuce and Advantage
If both players reach forty, the score is called deuce. From deuce a player needs two points in a row to win the game. Winning the first point after deuce gives that player advantage. If they win the next point too, they take the game. If they lose it, the score returns to deuce and the cycle continues.
This rule is why some games last a very long time. A single game can go back and forth through deuce many times. Some formats, especially in doubles at professional events and in many social leagues, use a deciding point at deuce instead, sometimes called no-advantage scoring, where the next point simply wins the game.
Games and Sets
A set is a group of games. The usual target is six games, but a player must lead by at least two. So six games to four wins a set, while six games to five means play continues. If the score reaches seven games to five, the set is over. If it reaches six games all, most events play a tiebreak.
Players change ends of the court after the first game of each set and then after every two games, which keeps conditions such as sun and wind fair for both sides. Service also alternates every game. Holding serve means winning your own service game, and breaking serve means winning a game when the opponent is serving, which is often the key moment of a set.
If you enjoy learning how scoring systems shape a contest, the sports pages at this sports information site cover cricket and football in a similar spirit.
How a Tiebreak Works
The standard tiebreak is played to seven points, again with a lead of two required. Points are counted with ordinary numbers rather than fifteen and thirty. The player whose turn it is to serve starts with one point on serve, then the players take turns serving two points each. Ends are changed after every six points.
- The first server serves one point.
- The opponent then serves the next two points.
- Service keeps rotating every two points.
- The first player to seven points with a two point lead wins the set, seven games to six.
Some events use a longer match tiebreak to ten points in place of a deciding final set. The Grand Slam tournaments now play a ten point tiebreak when the final set reaches six games all, which ended the very long final sets once seen at some majors.
Matches: Best of Three or Best of Five
Most matches are best of three sets, meaning the first player to win two sets wins. Men’s singles at the four Grand Slam tournaments are best of five, so a player needs three sets. This is why those matches can last several hours and test fitness as much as skill.
Reading a scoreboard becomes simple once you know the layers. A typical display shows the sets won so far, the games in the current set, and the points in the current game. For a wider overview of how sports content is organised on the same site, see the site’s general platform guide.
Quick Tips for New Fans
- Listen for the server’s score being called first.
- Watch for break points, when the receiver is one point from winning a game.
- Remember that a set needs a two game lead unless a tiebreak is played.
- Check whether the event uses deciding points or full advantage scoring.
Final Thoughts
Tennis scoring rewards consistency, because every game and set must be won by a clear margin. Learn the four point calls, understand deuce and advantage, and know when a tiebreak begins, and you will be able to follow any match with confidence.