Understanding the mechanics of scoring tennis is a bit complicated for a beginner tennis player. With the continuous play of the game, a new player will gradually grasp and easily understand how it works. In this post, I’ll be addressing the basic scoring system normally used in most professional tournaments and by recreational players.
There are four basic terminologies you need to know in order to better understand how tennis games are scored; they are; match, sets, games, and points. Also love, deuce, advantage, tie-breaker, and game; the terms actually used on games. These scoring terms are applicable to both singles and doubles.
Know these terms to better understand scoring tennis
- Match – Whenever singles or doubles players start a game of tennis, they actually are playing a tennis match which is determined through the best of 3 or 5 sets. Recreational players normally play 3 sets and may agree to play 5 sets depending on their stamina and or availability of time. The pro circuit, including the Olympic Games, Davis Cup, and all four Grand Slams, the women play 3 set matches, while the men play 5 set matches. The first player/s to win two sets for women and three sets for men wins the match.
- Set – A set consists of a sequence of games played with service alternating between the opposing players. Typically, a player wins a set by winning at least six games and at least two games more than the opponent.
- Games – A game consists of a sequence of points played with the same player serving. A game is won by the first player to have won at least four points in total and at least two points more than the opponent. There are 4 points to a game. Instead of calling it 0,1,2,3, and 4 it is called love, 15, 30, 40, and then game.
- Points – Points in tennis scoring is peculiar to the game; it’s unique that scores start from zero to four points. They are not called 0,1,2,3, and 4 however, instead it’s called love, 15, 30, 40, and then game.
Unique terms used in scoring tennis games
- Love – This is the beginning scores of both players; “0” point and called by the first player serving as “love” – “love”.
- Deuce – When the scores of both players equal at forty apiece, the score is called out “deuce” not “forty-forty”.
- Advantage – If at least three points have been scored by each side and a player has one more point than his opponent, the score of the game is “advantage” for the player in the lead. “Advantage” can also be called “Ad In” when the serving player is ahead, or “Ad Out” when the receiving player is ahead.
- Tie Breaker – You would play a tiebreaker when a set score is tied at 6-6. The first player to 7 points by a margin of 2 wins the set. Examples of scores would be 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4 and 7-5. If there is not a 2 point margin the points can go on past 7. As an example, one must win 8-6, 9-7, 10-8, 11-9, etc. to win the set.
- Game – This is the winning point within games and is called out by the server upon completion.
For an outsider or even a beginner tennis player, understanding how scoring tennis is a bit complicated. However with continuous observance and playing the game they will gradually be grasped and easily understand how it works. The basic terminologies such as match, sets, games, and points must be known with the unusual terms used in scoring itself. With this understanding, players are able to appreciate and enjoy the game of tennis to the fullest.