How To Score In Tennis

The scoring in tennis can be confusing for new players who haven't learned the scoring system's structure. This article will be looking at traditional scoring and tie-break scoring.

Points In Tennis (Traditional Match)

- Each point you will receive the following score. 15, 30, 40 and game.

- This is believed to be medieval French. It is possible that a clock-face was used on the court, with a quarter move on the hand to indicate a score 15, 30, 45. This was then reduced to 40 rather than 45.

- When you start a game both players will start on 'Love' this is equal to zero.

How To Win A Game

- To win a game you must win 4 points (15, 30, 40, game) however this can be extended if both players get to 40 - 40.

- If both players are tied at 40 - 40 this is called 'Deuce.'

- The player who wins the next point will move to 'Advantage.'

- If the same player wins the next point, they will win the game. If they lose the next point, the score will return to 'Deuce.'

- This will keep going until a player wins the deuce and the advantage (2 in a row).

- Depending on how much time you have, this can be turned into a 'sudden death' which means when the score is deuce the next player to win a point wins the game.

How To Win A Set

- To win a set in tennis you must win six games. However, this must be by two clear games. If the score 5 - 5, you will need to win the next two games to win the set.

- If the score gets to 6 - 6 a tie-break can be played to reduce the match's length. (Check out below for tie-break scoring)

A typical match result can look like this (6 - 3, 6 - 2)

How To Score A Tie-Break

In tennis we have two types of tie-breaks, they are as follows:

Championship Tie-break

A championship tie-break is usually played when the score is one set all. This can vary depending on what tournament you are playing in.

- A championship tie-break is first to 10 points.

- The score is counted 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. each time a point is won.

- You must win by two clear, if you get to 9 - 9 then the player who wins two points in a row will win the match.

Standard Tie-break

This tie-break is usually played at the end of a set if both players get to 6 games.

- A standard tie-break is first to 7 points.

- The score is counted 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. each time a point is won.

- You must win by two clear, if you get to 6 - 6 then the player who wins two points in a row will win the match.

- You can also add 'sudden death' when both players are on 6 points. This will mean the person who wins the next point wins the set.