Understanding Tennis Scoring: A Guide
Tennis scoring can seem complex, but once you grasp the basic terms and structure, it is a straightforward game to play. Tennis is divided into different units of play: points, games, sets, and matches. Here’s a breakdown of tennis scoring:
Basic Tennis Terms
In tennis, a game is won by the first player to reach four points, with scores progressing from love (0) to 15, 30, and 40. If both players reach 40 points, the score is tied at deuce, and one must win two consecutive points (advantage and game point) to secure the game.
- Point: The smallest unit of scoring in tennis is the point. Players score points to win games, which then contribute towards winning sets, and ultimately the match.
- Game: A game is won by the first player to win at least four points, with a margin of at least two points over the opponent. Each game won counts towards a player's total in the set.
- Set: A set is a collection of games. To win a set, a player must win at least six games, with a lead of at least two games over the opponent.
- Advantage: The term "advantage" comes into play when the score is tied at deuce (40-40). The player who scores the next point gains the "advantage." If that player wins the following point, they win the game. If not, the score returns to deuce.
This video offers a comprehensive explanation of the tennis scoring system, it also shows you how you can win games, sets, and matches, and explains what happens during a tiebreak.
Tennis Terms in the Game
These terms are used during a tennis game to indicate specific scoring situations in the game.
- Love: In tennis, "love" represents a score of zero. The scoring system then progresses from this to 40-40, where it becomes “deuce”.
- Deuce: When the score is tied at 40-40, it is known as “deuce”. From “deuce”, a player must win two consecutive points to win the game. The first point after deuce gives the player the "advantage."
- Advantage: If the player with the advantage wins the next point, they win the game. If they lose the point, the score reverts to deuce.
- Match Point: This term is used when a player is one point away from winning the match. If the player wins this point, they win the whole match.
Scoring Within a Set
To win a set in tennis, a player must win at least six games with a two-game lead over the opponent. If the set reaches a 6-6 tie, a tiebreak is played to decide the winner. A super tiebreak is used in certain matches as a final set decider, where the first player to reach 10 points with a two-point lead wins.
- Win by Two Games: To win a set, a player must be at least two games ahead. If the score reaches 5-5, a player must win the next two games to take the set 7-5.
- Tiebreak: When the score reaches 6-6 in a set, a tiebreak is played. The first player to reach seven points in the tiebreak, with a two-point lead, will win the set.
- Super Tiebreak: In some tournaments, a longer "super tiebreak" may be used to determine the winner of a set, typically requiring the first player to reach 10 points.
Did you know? Before the use of a super tiebreak in a Grand Slam, the tiebreak could go on. The longest tennis match in history lasted over 11 hours. It was played between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships. This epic encounter took place over two days, with Isner eventually winning the match with a final score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7-9), 7-6(7-3), 70-68.
Scoring Within a Match
In tennis, “best-of-three” means the first player to win two sets wins the match, typically used in most women’s matches, Associate of Tennis Professionals (ATP) or Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) events, and all mixed doubles. It’s shorter, lasting 1-2 hours.
“Best-of-five” requires three set wins and is mostly used in men’s singles at Grand Slams, lasting 2-5 hours on average. Best-of-five tests endurance, while best-of-three emphasises speed.
Tennis Scoring Rules
In tennis, hitting the ball out of bounds or into the net results in losing the point. A ball landing on or inside boundary lines is "in."
If a serve clips the net but lands in the correct box, it’s a “let” and replayed. Points progress as 15, 30, 40, and “game” if won by two points.
Understanding these basic scoring rules will help you follow and enjoy tennis matches more easily.
To delve deeper into the fascinating world of tennis, be sure to check out our article on the “Basic Rules of Tennis.” It’s a perfect next step to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the game.
To find out more, including where to play in Singapore, click here!