How Does Tennis Scoring Work?

Points: 15, 30, 40 and game

A game starts at love–all, which means zero points to each player. The first point won is called 15, the second 30 and the third 40. Winning a fourth point wins the game, provided the opponent has fewer than three points.

The server's score is always called first. A server leading 40–15 has won three points to the receiver's one.

• 0 points = love
• 1 point = 15
• 2 points = 30
• 3 points = 40
• 4 points = game (with a two-point lead)

Deuce and advantage

If both players reach 40, the score is deuce. From deuce a player must win two points in a row to win the game. The first of those points is called advantage; winning the next point wins the game, while losing it returns the score to deuce.

Some competitions use a no-advantage format, where a single deciding point is played at deuce and the receiver chooses the side of service.

Games and sets

A set is won by the first player to reach six games with a lead of at least two games. At 6–5 the leader can serve or return for the set; if the score reaches 6–6 a tie-break is usually played.

Players alternate service each game, and change ends after the first game and then after every two games.

Tie-breaks

In a standard tie-break the first player to seven points with a two-point lead wins the set, which is recorded as 7–6. Points are counted normally: 1, 2, 3 and so on.

One player serves the first point, then service alternates every two points, and players change ends after every six points. Many junior and doubles events use a ten-point match tie-break instead of a deciding set.

Match formats

Most matches are best of three sets, so the first player to win two sets wins the match. Some professional men's events use best of five sets.

Shorter formats — such as short sets to four games, timed matches or match tie-breaks — are common in junior development, team tennis and box leagues so that more players get court time.

Common scoring situations

A let is replayed and does not change the score. A double fault gives the point to the receiver. If a player is hit by the ball in play outside the court, that player loses the point.