Tennis scoring and tiebreak rules explained
Tennis scoring has three layers: points make games, games make sets, and sets make the match. The numbers look odd (15, 30, 40), but the rules are simple once you see them in order.
This guide covers deuce and advantage, no-ad scoring, sets, and how the tiebreak works at 6-6.
Points and games
A game starts at love, which means zero. Points go 15, 30, 40, and the next point wins the game. If both players reach 40, the score is deuce.
Deuce, advantage and no-ad
What happens at deuce depends on the format:
- Advantage
- The standard rule. Win the point at deuce and you have advantage; win the next one as well to take the game. Lose it and the score returns to deuce.
- No-ad
- The first point at deuce wins the game. It is common in doubles and in short formats.
Traicker also offers Star Point (two advantages, then a sudden-death point) and Hybrid (one advantage, then a sudden-death point) for tennis.
Sets
A set is won by the first player to six games with a two-game lead: 6-3, 6-4 or 7-5. At 6-6 a tiebreak decides it, and the set ends 7-6. Most matches are the best of three sets; men's singles at the Grand Slams are the best of five.
Traicker also scores shorter sets of one to five games. The tiebreak then comes at games-all, for example at 4-4.
How the tiebreak works
In a tiebreak, points are counted 1, 2, 3 instead of 15, 30, 40. The first player to 7 points with a two-point lead wins the tiebreak and the set. 7-5 ends it, but from 6-6 play continues until someone leads by two, for example 9-7.
Players change ends every six points. The player who served first in the tiebreak receives first in the next set.
Changing ends
Players change ends after the first, third and every following odd game of a set. There is no rest after the first game of a set; the other changeovers allow up to 90 seconds, and the break at the end of a set up to 120 seconds. At the end of a set, players change ends only if the set had an odd number of games.
Worked example: a tiebreak at 6-6
The set is level at 6-6, so a tiebreak starts at 0-0 in points.
| Score | What happens |
|---|---|
| 0-0 | The tiebreak begins. Points now count 1, 2, 3. |
| 4-2 | Six points have been played, so the players change ends. |
| 6-5 | Your Team is one point away from the set. |
| 6-6 | Opponents save the set point. Twelve points played: the players change ends again, and play goes on until someone leads by two. |
| 7-6 | Your Team leads by one point, which is not enough yet. |
| 8-6 | Your Team wins the next point too and takes the tiebreak 8-6. |
The set goes into the record as 7-6 to Your Team. In the next set, the player who served first in the tiebreak receives first.
Frequently asked questions
How does a tennis tiebreak work?
At 6-6, points are counted 1, 2, 3. The first player to 7 points with a two-point lead wins the tiebreak and the set 7-6. Players change ends every six points.
What do deuce and advantage mean in tennis?
Deuce is 40-40. The next point gives a player advantage; if they win the following point too they win the game, and if they lose it the score goes back to deuce.
What is no-ad scoring in tennis?
With no-ad scoring, the first point at deuce wins the game. There is no advantage, so a game can reach deuce only once.
How many games are in a tennis set?
A set goes to six games with a two-game lead. At 6-6 a tiebreak decides it, so a set ends 6-0 to 6-4, 7-5 or 7-6.
When do tennis players change ends?
After every odd game of a set (the first, third, fifth and so on) and every six points in a tiebreak. There is no rest after the first game of a set.
Score it on your Apple Watch
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