How to Score in Tennis: Points, Games, and Sets Explained
Tennis is one of the most popular sports in India, with legends like Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza inspiring millions. However, for a beginner, the tennis scoring system can seem a bit bizarre. Why is the first point called 15? What does ‘Love’ mean? And how do you actually win a match?
If you are heading to the court or watching a Grand Slam, this guide will break down the scoring system into simple steps.
1. Understanding the Points System (The Smallest Unit)
Unlike cricket or football where you count 1, 2, 3, tennis follows a unique numerical sequence for points within a game:
- 0 Points: “Love”
- 1st Point: 15
- 2nd Point: 30
- 3rd Point: 40
- 4th Point: Game (End of that specific game)
Deuce and Advantage
If both players reach 40-40, it is called a Deuce. To win from a deuce, a player must win two consecutive points:
- Advantage: The player who wins the first point after deuce gets the “Advantage.”
- Game: If that same player wins the next point, they win the game. If they lose it, the score returns to Deuce.
2. Winning a Set
To win a Set, a player must usually win at least six games. However, there are two important rules:
- The Two-Game Lead: You must win the set by a margin of at least two games (e.g., 6-0, 6-1, 6-4).
- The Tie-Break: If the score reaches 6-6 in games, a tie-break is played. In a tie-break, points are counted as 1, 2, 3… and the first player to reach 7 points (with a 2-point lead) wins the set 7-6.
3. Winning the Match
In international tennis and local Indian tournaments (like AITA events), matches are typically played in one of two formats:
- Best of Three Sets: The first player to win two sets wins the match. Most women’s matches and ATP tour events follow this.
- Best of Five Sets: The first player to win three sets wins. This format is primarily used in Men’s Grand Slam tournaments (like Wimbledon or the Australian Open).
Summary of Tennis Scores Structure
Think of tennis scoring like a pyramid:
Points → Games → Sets → Match
Conclusion
While the terminology like “Love” and “Deuce” might feel confusing at first, the rhythm of tennis scores becomes second nature once you start playing. Whether you’re practicing at your local club in Delhi or Chennai, or cheering for Indian players on the global stage, understanding the score keeps you engaged in the strategy of the game. Now that you know the rules, grab your racket and hit the court!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is zero called “Love” in tennis?
The most common theory is that it comes from the French word l’oeuf, which means “egg,” representing the shape of a zero. Over time, English speakers adapted it to “Love.”
2. What happens if a match is tied at one set each?
In a best-of-three-sets match, if the score is 1-1 in sets, a third “deciding” set is played to determine the winner.
3. Is the scoring different for Doubles?
The fundamental scoring is the same, but many professional doubles matches use a “Deciding Point” (No-Ad scoring) at deuce and a “Match Tie-break” (first to 10 points) instead of a full third set to speed up play.
4. Who serves first in a tie-break?
The player whose turn it was to serve normally starts the tie-break by serving one point. Then, the serve rotates every two points between players.
