Tennis scoring looks strange at first — why does nothing go 1, 2, 3? — but it follows a simple structure: points make games, games make sets, and sets make a match. Once you understand those three layers and the tiebreak, you can follow any match, from your local club to a Grand Slam final on our live scores page.
Points: love, 15, 30, 40, game
Within a game, the score is called like this:
| Points won | Called |
|---|---|
| 0 | Love |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 30 |
| 3 | 40 |
| 4 | Game (if at least two points ahead) |
The server's score is always called first. "30-15" means the server has two points, the receiver one. "15-40" means the receiver is one point from winning the game — two break points, because winning a game on the opponent's serve is called a break of serve.
Deuce and advantage
A game must be won by two clear points. When both players reach 40 (40-40), the score is called deuce. From deuce:
- The player who wins the next point has the advantage ("advantage server" or "advantage receiver", often "ad-in" / "ad-out").
- If the player with the advantage wins the next point, they win the game.
- If they lose it, the score returns to deuce.
In theory a game can go to deuce any number of times, which is why some service games last ten minutes or more.
No-ad scoring (deciding point)
To shorten matches, some formats use no-ad scoring: at deuce, a single deciding point wins the game. The receiver (or the receiving team in doubles) usually chooses which side to receive from. No-ad scoring is standard in ATP and WTA doubles and common in club and junior competitions.
Games and sets
Players alternate serve every game. A set is won by the first player to win six games with a margin of at least two: 6-0, 6-1 … 6-4. At 5-5, the set continues to 7-5. At 6-6, most sets are decided by a tiebreak.
Players change ends after the first game of each set and then every two games (after the 1st, 3rd, 5th games and so on), so that conditions like sun and wind are shared fairly.
The tiebreak (7 points)
In a standard tiebreak, points are counted normally: 1, 2, 3…
- The player whose turn it is to serve serves the first point.
- The opponent then serves the next two points, and players alternate every two points after that.
- Players change ends every six points (for example at 4-2 or 3-3).
- The first player to 7 points with a two-point lead wins the tiebreak and the set, which is recorded as 7-6. Scores like 7-5, 8-6 or 12-10 are possible.
The player who received first in the tiebreak serves the first game of the next set. On a scoreboard, the tiebreak score is often shown in small digits or brackets: 7-6(4) means the loser of the tiebreak scored 4 points.
Reading a live score: "6-4 3-6 7-6(5)" means the first player won the first set 6-4, lost the second 3-6 and won the third in a tiebreak, 7 points to 5. A dot or ball icon usually shows who is serving.
The super tiebreak (10 points)
A super tiebreak — also called a match tiebreak — works like a normal tiebreak, but the first player or team to 10 points with a two-point margin wins.
- In ATP and WTA doubles, it usually replaces a full third set when the sets are tied 1-1.
- Many clubs and junior events use it instead of a deciding set to keep matches short.
- At the Grand Slams, a 10-point tiebreak at 6-6 is used to decide the final set in singles, rather than playing on indefinitely.
A match tiebreak in place of a set is usually recorded as a set won 1-0, or with the tiebreak score, for example [10-7].
Matches: best of three or best of five
Most professional and club matches are best of three sets: the first to win two sets wins. Men's singles at the four Grand Slam tournaments are best of five: the first to three sets. Formats vary by event and occasionally change, so the tournament rules always have the final word.
Serving rules that affect the score
- The server has two attempts to land the serve in the diagonally opposite service box. Missing both is a double fault, and the receiver wins the point.
- A serve that touches the net and lands in is a let and is replayed (some formats play lets on).
- The server starts each game from the right-hand side (the deuce court) and alternates sides each point.
- A serve the receiver cannot touch is an ace.
Doubles scoring
The scoring is the same as singles, with a few differences in format: each team member serves a whole game in turn, the wider doubles court is used, and at professional level no-ad scoring and a match tiebreak instead of a third set are common.
Common scoring terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Break | Winning a game on the opponent's serve |
| Break point | The receiver is one point from breaking |
| Hold | The server wins their service game |
| Set point / match point | One point from winning the set / match |
| Bagel / breadstick | A set won 6-0 / 6-1 |
| Retired (ret.) | A player stopped during the match, usually through injury |
| Walkover (w/o) | A player withdrew before the match started |
Now you can follow every point: check the live scores, the tournament calendar, and learn how wins turn into ranking points in ATP and WTA rankings explained.
Frequently asked questions
Why does tennis scoring go 15, 30, 40?
Nobody knows for certain. A popular theory links it to a clock face with quarters (15, 30, 45), with 45 later shortened to 40. Whatever the origin, the sequence has been used for centuries.
What does 'love' mean in tennis?
Love means zero. A 'love game' is a game won without the opponent scoring a point, and a set won 6-0 is sometimes called a 'bagel'.
How does a tiebreak work?
At 6-6 in a set, players usually play a tiebreak counted 1, 2, 3… The first to 7 points with a two-point lead wins the set 7-6. The first server serves one point, then players alternate every two points, and they change ends every six points.
What is a super tiebreak?
A super tiebreak, or match tiebreak, is played instead of a full deciding set. It works like a normal tiebreak but the first player or team to 10 points with a two-point margin wins. It is common in doubles.