Tennis Scoring Rules Explained: A Complete Guide for Beginners
With the rising popularity of stars like Sumit Nagal and the legacy of legends like Leander Paes and Sania Mirza, more Indians are picking up tennis rackets than ever before. However, for a beginner, the tennis scores system can seem a bit cryptic. Why is the first point “15” and not “1”? What exactly is a “Deuce”?
In this guide, we break down the fundamental tennis scoring rules to help you follow the game on TV or compete on the local courts of Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore with confidence.
The Hierarchy of Tennis Scoring
Tennis scoring is divided into four main levels: Points, Games, Sets, and the Match. Think of it like a ladder where you must climb each rung to win.
1. Scoring Points in a Game
Instead of the traditional 1, 2, 3, 4, tennis uses a unique numerical system. The points progress as follows:
- 0 Points: “Love”
- 1st Point: 15
- 2nd Point: 30
- 3rd Point: 40
- 4th Point: Game (Over)
When announcing the score, the server’s score is always mentioned first. For example, if the server has 30 and the receiver has 15, the score is “30-15”.
2. Deuce and Advantage
If both players reach 40-40, it is called a Deuce. To win a game from a deuce, a player must win two consecutive points:
- Advantage In (Ad-In): The server wins the next point after deuce.
- Advantage Out (Ad-Out): The receiver wins the next point after deuce.
- If the player with the advantage loses the next point, the score returns to Deuce.
Winning a Set
To win a set, a player must win at least six games. However, there is a catch: you must win by a margin of at least two games (e.g., 6-4). If the score reaches 5-5, the set continues. If it reaches 6-6, a Tie-break is played.
The Tie-break
In a tie-break, the scoring switches to 1, 2, 3, etc. The first player to reach 7 points with a 2-point lead wins the game and the set (recorded as 7-6).
Winning the Match
In most professional tournaments and local Indian club matches, tennis is played in one of two formats:
- Best of Three Sets: The first player to win two sets wins the match. This is the standard for women’s professional matches and most ATP tour events.
- Best of Five Sets: The first player to win three sets wins. This format is primarily seen in Men’s Singles at Grand Slam events (like Wimbledon or the Australian Open).
Conclusion
While the tennis scoring rules may seem unusual at first glance, they provide the sport with its unique rhythm and high-stakes drama. Whether you are playing a friendly match at your local gymkhana or watching a Grand Slam final, understanding how tennis scores work enhances your appreciation for the tactical depth of the game. Now that you know the basics of Love, 15, 30, and 40, you are ready to hit the court!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is zero called “Love” in tennis?
The most popular theory is that it comes from the French word “l’oeuf,” meaning “the egg,” because an egg looks like a zero. Over time, English speakers mispronounced it as “Love.”
2. What is “No-Ad” scoring?
In some amateur or doubles matches (common in India to save time), “No-Ad” scoring is used. At deuce, a single “sudden death” point is played to decide the game winner.
3. What does “Set Point” and “Match Point” mean?
A set point is a situation where the player leading needs only one more point to win the current set. A match point means they need only one more point to win the entire match.
4. How many sets are played in the Olympics?
In the Olympics, both men and women typically play a best-of-three-sets format to determine the winner.
How to keep score in tennis, explained by high school tennis players, Joellen and Rebecca. By JuniorTennisUSA.com – 100% free tennis, by junior players, for junior players. @JrTennisUSA.
You will learn Love – 15 -30 – 40 – Game; ad in and ad out; moving from side to side and when to change sides.
Please see our other instructional videos:
-How to Hit a Backhand
-How to Hit a Forehand
-How to Keep Score in Tennis
-How to Score a Tennis Tiebreaker
-Interviews with top pro players by junior players
