Tennis is an exciting and dynamic sport full of intensity and action. However, to truly enjoy the game, it is important to understand how the scoring system works. In this article, we will explain the tennis scoring system and everything you need to know about it. The goal is to present the rules and key elements of tennis scoring in the simplest possible way, so that both beginners and advanced players can easily understand it.
Read also The Basic Rules And Regulations Of Tennis.
How scoring works in tennis
Every tennis match starts at 0–0 in games and 0–0 in sets. Just like in padel, points are counted using the sequence 0, 15, 30, 40, game. These numbers represent zero, one, two, three points, and then winning a game.
The first player to win six games wins one set, provided there is at least a two-game difference. Depending on the tournament, a match can be played as best of three sets, which is the most common format, meaning the first player to win two sets wins the match. In men’s Grand Slam tournaments, matches are played as best of five sets, meaning the first player to win three sets wins.
What does “love” mean in tennis?
The word “love” was first used in tennis terminology in the late 19th century. Tennis originated in France, and in French the word “l’œuf,” meaning egg, resembles the shape of the number zero. When the sport was introduced in England, the term was kept, as zero was thought to look like an egg.
There is also another theory behind the use of the word “love.” It is believed that centuries ago people enjoyed tennis so much that they were happy just to play, even if they were losing. As a result, they said they were playing “for the love of the game.”
What does deuce mean in tennis?
When the score in a game reaches 40–40, it is called deuce. From that point on, a player must win two consecutive points in order to win the game.
What does advantage (Ad) mean in tennis?
The first point won after deuce is called advantage. If the player who gains advantage wins the next point as well, they win the game. If they lose the following point, the score returns to deuce. The game continues until one of the players wins two points in a row.
What is a tie-break in tennis?
For football fans, a tie-break is similar to a penalty shootout. It is often the most intense and exciting part of a tennis match. When the score in a set reaches 6–6, a tie-break is played to determine the winner of the set.
In a tie-break, points are counted numerically (1, 2, 3, 4, and so on), not as 15, 30, and 40. The tie-break is won by the first player to reach seven points with a margin of at least two points.
When do players change sides and take breaks?
Players change sides of the court after every odd-numbered game, such as after the first, third, and fifth games. In simple terms, if the total number of completed games is an odd number, players switch sides.
During a standard tie-break, players change sides every time the total number of points played is a multiple of six, such as six, twelve, or eighteen.
During a changeover, players are allowed to sit down and take a 90-second break, except after the first game of each set. At the end of a set, the break is extended to three minutes.