How Does Tennis Scoring Work? A Simple Explanation for Beginners

How does tennis scoring work?

Despite being one of the most popular sports, people often ask this question, as the scoring in tennis is famously confusing for beginners. Instead of counting points as 1, 2, 3, and so on, tennis uses words like “love, 15, 30, 40, deuce, and advantage. This is a unique system, and that is why many people search for answers on the internet. They ask questions like how does tennis scoring work, how to score tennis, or how is tennis scored after deuce.

Today, in this guide, we will help you with a clear and simple explanation of tennis scoring. We will cover individual points, games, sets, tie-breaks, and full matches. We will also explain common tennis score terms. 

Basic Tennis Scoring Explained

How does tennis scoring work? To understand scoring in tennis, you must break the game into smaller levels. Have a look. 

Points → Games → Sets → Match 

This is how tennis scorekeeping works: each level builds on the previous one. Tennis employs a unique scoring system that counts points. Let’s look at this point system. 

Tennis Points System

In Tennis, points within a game are counted as:

• 0 points = Love
• 1 point = 15
• 2 points = 30
• 3 points = 40
• 4 points = Game (if ahead by two points)

If the player wins the first point, the score would be 15-0. Similarly, if they win the next point, it will be 30-0, and then 40-0. Tennis uses this system due to historical scoring methods. Today, this is just part of the tradition. 

To score a game in Tennis, a player must reach at least 4 points. They must also be ahead at least 2 points. For example, 40-0, 40-15, and 40-30 can result in a game win if the player scores one more point. However, 40-40 is not a straightforward win; it is called deuce. We will explain it in the next section. 

How Do You Win a Game in Tennis? (Deuce Explained)

Deuce is one of the most confusing parts of the Tennis scoring. Deuce happens when both players reach 40 points in a game. 

At Deuce: 

• The game does not end at the next point. 
• One player must win two consecutive points to win the game. 

How does Tennis Scoring Work? Advantage Rules

After a deuce, players need to follow the advantage rules. 

• If Player A wins the next point – Advantage Player A
• If Player B then wins the next point – Back to Deuce
• If Player A wins two points in a row – Game Player A

This will continue until one player wins two back-to-back points to win the game. Due to this system, the games don’t end too quickly. It also makes the game more competitive. 

How Tennis Sets Are Scored

Games are grouped into sets. Here we will explain games and sets. 

A player must win 6 games to win a set. However, there is a rule that they must be 2 games ahead to win a set. The common set scores are 6-0, 6-2, 6-4, 7-5, and so on. 

If both players win 6 games each, the set enters a tiebreak. The tie-break is there to prevent extremely long sets and keep the matches within reasonable time limits. 

How Tennis Matches Are Scored

How does tennis scoring work? Here, we will look at scoring in tennis in terms of matches. 

A tennis match is made up of sets. To win the entire game, a player must win a certain number of sets. In most tournaments, they play for the best of three sets. The first player to win two sets will win the entire match. 

However, there are many tournaments like men’s Grand Slams, where the best of five sets is used to determine the winner. In that case, the player who wins three sets wins the match. 

How Does a Tennis Tie-Break Work?

Tie-breaks in tennis are often confusing for many. However, the rules of tie breaks are pretty simple. 

In case of a 6-6 set, players are going to play another set where points are counted normally. The first player to reach 7 points wins the set. However, the player must have a 2-point lead to win it. Serving is also different in tie-breaks as players need to keep alternating every two points. 

Related Read: What is the Hardest Sport in the World?

Tennis Scoring Terminology You Should Know

Just like its scoring rules, tennis uses a different language. Understanding tennis scoring terminology will make it easier for you to understand the game better. Let’s take a look at common tennis score terms. 

• Love – The score of zero in tennis is called love. 
• Deuce – A tied score of 40-40 is called deuce. 
• Advantage (Ad) – It is a one-point lead after the deuce. 
• Break Point – Its a situation where the receiver is one point away from the win. 
• Set Point – It is a chance to win a set. 
• Match Point – It is the chance to win the match. 
• Double Fault – When a player fails to get their serve in on both first and second attempts. 

Why Tennis Scoring is So Different

The main reason is that the scoring in tennis developed centuries ago and has remained unchanged. For beginners or new fans, it might seem strange at first, but the system is there for many reasons. 

The system of scoring in tennis creates suspense, rewards consistency, makes comebacks possible, and adds strategy during deuce and tie-breaks. Once you understand the tennis scorekeeping, it becomes logical for you to enjoy and follow the game. 

Conclusion: How Does Tennis Scoring Work?

So, how does tennis scoring work? It is a layered system where points build games, games build sets, and sets decide matches. 

The points in tennis are counted as love, 15, 30, and 40. The games require two-points lead, and sets usually go to 6 points. For tied sets, they use tie-break rules. 

All these terms and point systems in tennis scoring may seem confusing at first, but the structure is consistent at all levels of play. So, it would be okay for you to learn at the start. With this, you should feel confident about tennis scoring. 

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