Tennis
Tennis scoring explained: A comprehensive guide
Game, set, match: Learn about the basics of the tennis points system.
In April 2023, Red Bull’s Bassline tennis tournament returned for a third year to flip the centuries-old sport on its head. The tournament took a rapid-fire approach to classic tiebreakers, adding a huge dose of adrenaline both on the court and in the stands. If you’re not a seasoned tennis player yet, you might now be asking: What makes a tiebreaker classic? Don’t worry — you’re not alone.
Tennis scoring is much less obvious than you might assume if you’ve watched a competition here and there. If you’re confused about all the scoring vocabulary, read on for a guide to tennis scoring, explained.
Stefanos Tsitsipas at Red Bull BassLine 2021 in Vienna, Austria
© Matthias Heschl / Red Bull Content Pool
01
Basic tennis scoring
Game, set, match
Tennis is scored in three phases. First, players earn points in each individual round (game). The goal is to win six games, which make up a set. However, in the event of a tie, a set can include up to seven games.
A tennis match often includes three sets, although professional championships may play up to five sets. The player who wins the most sets wins the match. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Just wait until you dive into the points system.
Points system
A player must win four points to win the game. Instead of a one-for-one value, though, tennis points are awarded in scores of 15, 30, 40, and 60. The first point is 15, and 60 is the point that decides the game’s winner.
So, then, what exactly is the logic behind this system? Supposedly the 15, 30, 40, and 60 designations are based on the quarterly markings on a clock, which was used to score early tennis matches. The third point was originally 45 but changed to 40 to account for the introduction of advantages, which you’ll learn about soon.
Each tennis game starts out with both players at zero points, also known as “love.” Rumor has it that this term evolved from “l’oeuf,” the French word for egg since an egg kind of looks like “0.” This rumor certainly tracks — tennis originated in 16th-century France from a similar 12th-century sport in which the palm, rather than rackets, was used.
Deuce and advantage
Typically, when the score is tied, the referee will make the call with “all.” For instance, games start at “love-all.” However, when both players are tied at 40-40, that’s called a deuce. There are no limits to how many deuces can occur in a game. Some of the longest matches in history have featured games with over 35 deuces.
Deuces matter because, if you want to win a tennis game, you need to score twice in a row. The first tie-breaking point is the “advantage,” and the next one wins the game. If the serving player wins the deuce point, it’s called “advantage in,” whereas if the receiver gains the next point, it’s “advantage out.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2022 Erste Bank Open in Vienna, Austria
© Mirja Geh / Red Bull Content Pool
02
Earning points
You earn points through a few different scenarios in tennis. The most direct way is to hit the ball to an opponent who fails to hit it back to your side. However, the ball cannot bounce on your side of the court. It also must bounce (or be struck by your opponent) on their side of the court for the point to be legal.
There are also a few other ways you can gain and lose points. If you serve a ball that bounces twice, that’s a point for the competition. If you don’t want to boost the other player’s score, be careful not to hit the ball out of bounds or into the net. You can also earn points if your opponent commits a double fault (misses two serves in a row).
03
Scoring in a set
You need to win six games to win a set, but there are some caveats. You’ll need to beat your opponent by two games to declare victory in a set. That is, you can win by a set score of 6-4, but not 6-5. If your opponent is only trailing you by one game, a seventh game will follow to decide the winner. But if you get to a 6-6 set score, a tiebreak game is required.
You won’t see the 15, 30, 40 system in a tiebreak, where point values go back to simple one, two, and three values. In order to win the tiebreaker, and thus win the set, you need to land at least seven points. You’ll also need to be at least two points ahead of your opponent. For example, you can’t win a tiebreak by 7-6, but you can by 8-6.
Also, don’t get too comfortable on your side of the court if you’ve found yourself in a tiebreaker. Players are required to switch ends of the court every six points.
Red Bull Thiem Set Match in Vienna, Austria in 2020
© Matthias Heschl / Red Bull Content Pool
04
Scoring in a match
Just as with games and sets, you need to be two scores above your opponent to win a match. Match scores are usually listed by the winning number of sets, not overall points. In some cases, individual set scores are listed, but never the total points won in each game. So the same winning match score can look like either 3-1 or 6-4, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7. The final set — either your third or fifth — won’t include a tiebreaker. Instead, players will continue to play until someone reaches a two-point lead.
05
Serving and receiving
Whether you’re following along at home or playing a match yourself, there are some important serving and receiving rules and terms to know.
Andrey Rublev at Red Bull Bassline 2023 in Vienna, Austria
© Mirja Geh / Red Bull Content Pool
06
Advanced tennis scoring scenarios
No-ad scoring
In certain matches — often high-profile international competitions — no-ad, or no-advantage, scoring is enacted. This scoring system eliminates the two-point margin requirement, so the first player to win four points wins that round. This speeds things along in the event of a deuce since only one point is needed to break the tie.
Pro set
When tiebreakers need to go a little longer, an extension known as a pro set is enacted. To win a pro set, you need to declare victory in eight games, not six, though you need to win by two games.
Match tiebreak
When players are neck-and-neck, with one win each for the first two sets, a match tiebreak, also known as a super tiebreaker, may occur. This tiebreaker replaces the standard third set. Unlike a standard tiebreaker, these games are played to 10 points instead of seven.
Tennis scoring is elaborate, but you’ll get the hang of it
Understanding the ins and outs of tennis scoring isn’t the easiest task, but once it all clicks, matches become that much more exciting. That’s true whether you’re in the audience or on the court yourself. Try watching the next Red Bull Bassline to see the scoring system in action. From there, take your first step onto your own local tennis courts — you’ll be ready to make an unforgettable racket.