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Tennis 101: Scoring

Tennis 101: Scoring
Posted at 5:18 PM, Mar 08, 2021
and last updated 2021-04-06 13:04:47-04

Game
A game score begins at love-love, or 0-0. The first point is called 15, so if the server wins the point, the score becomes 15-love. If the receiver wins the point, the score becomes love-15. The server's score always is given first. The second point for a player or side is called 30, followed by 40. The next point can win the game, but only if the opposing player has 30 or less, because games must be decided by at least two points. If the players both reach 40, the score is termed "deuce." The next point gives one player the advantage. On the following point, the player with the advantage tries to win the game by getting two points ahead, while the trailing player tries to even the score again at deuce. The first player to reach advantage, then score the next point, wins the game.

After every game the server will change, and after every odd game, the players will switch sides.

Set
To win a set, one must win a total of six games before their opponent does. If the set score reaches 5-5, the competitors will play to seven while still having to win by two. If the set score reaches 6-6 -- and the set is not the deciding one in a best-of-three or best-of-five-set match -- the next game will go to a tie-breaker.

The tie-breaker will start with the next server getting one serve from the deuce court. Following that, the serve will go to the other competitor and they will begin from the AD court. After the initial point, the serve in the tie-breaker will then be rotated every two points, starting from the AD court. Every sixth point, the players will switch sides. The first player to reach seven points and win by two will win the tie-breaker and the set.

If the set score has reached 6-6, and it is the deciding set in a best-of-three or best-of-five-set match, the set will be played out until one competitor has a two-game lead in the final set. No tie-breaker will be used.
 

Match
Matches will be either in a best-of-three or a best-of-five-set format. The first competitor to win two or three sets, respective to the match format, will win the match.

The best-of-three format will be used in all matches, except for the men's singles Gold Medal Final and the men' doubles Gold Medal Final.