How does tennis scoring work? A beginners guide. – On Philippines

If you’re looking for a definitive answer on why tennis uses the scoring system it does, unfortunately, there’s no clear origin. Don’t be intimidated by the way tennis score is kept – it’s definitely unorthodox, but it’s quite simple when you break it down piece by piece and point by point. Tennis has long had the most unique way of keeping score, and the origins of the sport’s scoring system are actually fairly ambiguous.

• From understanding why 15 doesn’t follow 10, to recognizing when to switch servers in doubles, you now have a full view of how tennis scoring works.
• So in effect, when it goes to Deuce, a player must win the next two straight points in order to win the game.
• You might think that the next player to win a point would win the game, but you’d be wrong (except in some doubles events).

As of 2022, all four Grand Slams — the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open — use a consistent 10-point tiebreaker in the final set. Women’s singles and men’s and women’s doubles matches at the US Open are all played in a best-of-three-sets format; men’s singles is played in a best-of-five-sets format. If the score ties at 6-6, you typically play a tiebreaker. If the ball doesn’t land in the service box, you can take a second serve — but if that second serve also misses, then you lose the point. Before serving, the player should announce the score, starting with their own. You serve from behind the baseline, starting on the right-hand side of the court, anywhere between the singles sideline and the center mark on the court.
The good news is that you won’t have trouble memorizing the score system once you understand it. Her work has been featured by Refinery29, Real Simple, Apartment Therapy, Southern Living, Coveteur, NPR, and more. Based in NYC, she writes about LGBTQ identity, sex and relationships, pop culture hot takes, mental health, and home improvement. At the Indian Wells Open (more formally known as the BNP Paribas Open) all open matches are played in a best-of-three sets format and there are no mixed doubles.
Common snacks and drinks on the sideline include bananas, gels, water and electrolyte drinks. Players often refuel with drinks and occasionally snacks during this time, https://professional-tennis-coaching-programs.com/ while evaluating their game plan. Aces are typically the result of well-placed, powerful serves — though some aces are the product of finesse, spinning away from the receiver.
The tiebreak and the set are won by the first player to reach seven points with a lead of at least two. When both players score 40-40, it’s referred to as “deuce.” To win the game from deuce, a player needs to win two straight points. Most professional matches are best of three sets (first to two sets wins). I am going to make this as simple as possible so that it can be crystal clear even to someone who does not know how to play tennis. Tennis scorekeeping follows a simple pattern, but the terminology may appear unfamiliar at first.
You have to win two sets, so you’re at least playing 12 games to win. Hang in there with us because there is one more nuance to remember for tiebreakers. For the second and third points, player B will serve, starting on the left (ad) side. Player A will serve the tiebreaker’s first point, starting on the right (deuce) side. We recommend practicing a few tiebreakers to get the hang of the scoring. As we mentioned, if your set score reaches 6-6, you will need to play a tiebreaker.

To determine who serves first, you flip a coin or (more likely) spin a racket. From love, the first point is 15, then 30, then 40, then game point, which wins the game. The games are scored starting at “love” (or zero) and go up to 40 (which is actually just four points). But don’t feel overwhelmed — scoring in tennis can seem complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll feel like a seasoned fan. The rules can also change depending on the event (so if you’re planning on watching Wimbledon, now’s a great time to read up). But you could play as many as 36 games, plus three tiebreakers in one match!
At Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open), men play best-of-five sets, while women play best-of-three. Because serving alternates in this manner, a player must win at least one point on return to win a tiebreak — ensuring the player who returns first is not at a disadvantage. The player who wins the “deuce” point earns the “advantage” and then has an opportunity to win the next point and close out the game — or lose it and face another deuce.
However, if the other player brings the set score to 6-6, a tiebreaker is played. To win a game, a player must win four points (with some exceptions that we’ll explain in a bit). Typically, a match is won by winning two sets. To win a set, a player must be the first to win six games (and win by two games). Whether you play for fun or you’re in a competitive league, USTA provides you with articles discussing everything about how tennis scoring works. If you’re on the hunt for a selfie or an autograph from a player, there are two prime times to make your move.

Business Systems Development Analyst Ernesto Tomeo, hailing from Port McNicoll enjoys watching movies like The Golden Cage and Geocaching. Took a trip to Old Towns of Djenné and drives a Ferrari 340 MM Competition Spyder.