Tennis scoring often feels like it was designed to confuse newcomers, and in some ways, that’s not far from the truth. According to a Statista report, over 87 million people worldwide play tennis, yet many still don’t fully understand how the scoring system works, especially when unusual terms like “love,” “deuce,” and “advantage” start getting tossed around.

If you’ve ever watched a match and wondered how players go from 15 to 30 to 40 – or what exactly happens at deuce – you’re not alone. Tennis has a rich history, and with it comes a unique scoring system that doesn’t resemble most other sports. But the good news? It’s not as complicated as it seems.

This guide breaks it all down, clearly and simply. From the basic point structure to complete match formats, you’ll learn exactly how tennis scoring works in both singles and doubles matches. Whether you’re picking up a racquet for the first time or trying to follow your favorite Grand Slam, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how the numbers and terms come together.

The Basics of How Tennis Scoring Works

At first glance, tennis scoring seems to follow its own language – and it does. But once the pattern becomes clear, it’s surprisingly simple to follow. Every game starts at zero, which in tennis is called “love.” From there, players win points in a unique sequence: 15, 30, 40, and game.

Each rally determines who earns a point. Win one rally, you move to 15. Win the next, you’re at 30. A third point puts you at 40. Win again, and the game is yours – unless the opponent has also reached 40. That’s when the real tension starts.

While the exact origin of this scoring system is still debated, most historians agree that it likely comes from medieval French court tennis. The theory? Players advanced their position by increments of 15 on a clock face, 15, 30, 45, but 45 was later shortened to 40 for better pace and rhythm during play. Whether that’s folklore or fact, the structure has stood the test of time and defines the rhythm of every match played today.

Understanding how individual points stack up is key, but what really throws people off are the terms you’ll hear when the score gets tight. Let’s look at those next.

Games, Sets, and Matches Explained

Now that the basics of point scoring are clear, the next step is understanding how points evolve into games, games into sets, and sets into a full match. This structure is what shapes the flow and strategy of competitive tennis.

How Many Games in a Set?

Each set is made up of games. To win a set, a player must win six games, but with one important condition – they must lead by at least two games. So a score of 6–4 is a winning set, but 6–5 is not. If the score reaches 6–6, most formats move into a tiebreaker to determine the winner of the set (more on that in the next section).

Here’s how a set score might typically progress:

• 6–2: Set ends, winner leads by 4 games
• 6–4: Still a two-game margin, so set ends
• 6–6: No two-game lead, triggers a tiebreak

This rule keeps sets competitive but structured, preventing endless back-and-forth with no conclusion.

Winning a Match: Best-of-3 or Best-of-5

A match consists of multiple sets. Most formats follow one of two common rules:

• Best of 3 sets: The first player to win 2 sets wins the match.
• Best of 5 sets: The first to win 3 sets takes the match.

Best-of-3 is the standard format for most levels of play—including recreational matches and all WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) tournaments. It keeps match lengths manageable while still offering competitive depth.

Best-of-5 is reserved for select men’s professional events, especially Grand Slam tournaments like Wimbledon or the US Open. Matches in this format can stretch beyond four hours, depending on how tightly contested each set is. That’s part of what makes men’s Grand Slam tennis such a test of physical and mental stamina.

With the structure of games and sets now clear, it’s time to break down what happens when players reach that 6–6 tie in a set.

What is a Tiebreaker in Tennis?

A tiebreaker decides a set when both players are locked at 6–6. Without it, sets could continue indefinitely, especially when players hold serve consistently. The tiebreak keeps matches fair but also practical in length, particularly in tournaments with tight schedules.

When and Why Tie Breakers Are Used

Tiebreakers come into play when a set reaches 6–6 in games. At that point, rather than continuing until one player wins by two games, a short-format contest – called the tiebreak – determines the winner of the set. Most professional and amateur formats include this rule, though a few exceptions exist (such as the deciding set in some Grand Slams, which follow different formats).

The key reason for using tiebreaks? To ensure matches don’t drag on for hours without resolution. Even at the pro level, players and fans need predictability and structure in match timing.

How Tiebreaks Work: Scoring Explained

Tiebreaks follow a different structure from regular games. Instead of 15, 30, and 40, the score goes up by single points—1, 2, 3, and so on.

• The first player to reach 7 points wins the tiebreaker, but they must also lead by at least 2 points.
• If the score hits 6–6 in the tiebreak, play continues until someone pulls ahead by two clear points.

For example, a tiebreak score might end:

• • 7–5 (winner has two-point lead)

• 8–6

• 10–8

Here’s a quick sample scenario:

• Player A and Player B reach 6–6 in games. In the tiebreak, Player A jumps ahead to 6–3, but Player B claws back to 6–6. Player A then wins two consecutive points to seal the tiebreak 8–6, and with it, the set 7–6.

Understanding how the tiebreak works helps players prepare mentally for the most intense part of a set—where pressure peaks and every point matters. Now that the scoring rules are all laid out, let’s look at how they play out in real matches.

Examples of Tennis Scoring in Action

Everything so far has covered the structure and logic of tennis scoring. Now let’s bring it to life with real examples. These simple walkthroughs help translate the theory into a format you’d actually see during a match.

Example 1: A Game With Deuce

Let’s say Player A is serving. Here’s how the game could unfold:

• 15–0: Player A wins the first rally
• 30–0: Another point to Player A
• 30–15: Player B returns fire and wins the rally
• 40–15: Player A regains control with a strong serve
• 40–30: Player B claws back
• Deuce (40–40): Player B wins the next point to even the score

• Advantage Player A: Player A wins the next rally

• Game Player A: Player A wins the following point and takes the game

From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to secure the game—first gaining advantage, then converting it into a win. If the player with advantage loses the next rally, the score returns to deuce.

Example 2: A Full Set With Tiebreak

Now let’s walk through an entire set that ends in a tiebreaker. Below is a simplified game-by-game breakdown:

At 6–6, the tiebreak begins. Let’s say the tiebreak goes like this:

• Player A jumps to 3–0
• Player B narrows the gap to 4–3
• The score shifts back and forth to 6–5

• Player A wins the next point: 7–5

So the final set score becomes 7–6 in favor of Player A, with a 7–5 tiebreaker.

These examples make the scoring flow much easier to follow—and they reflect exactly what you’d see on a match scoreboard. Now let’s explore how the same scoring principles apply (with slight tweaks) in doubles matches.

Tennis Scoring in Doubles Matches

Doubles matches follow the same core scoring system as singles—points progress from 15 to 30 to 40 to game, and sets follow the same rules. But a few important differences change how the match plays out, especially when it comes to serve rotation and casual play formats.

Serve Rotation in Doubles

In doubles, each team has two players, and service rotates within the team. Rather than one player serving every fourth game (like in singles), the team alternates who serves every time their turn comes up.

Here’s how it works:

• Player A1 serves for Team A in Game 1
• Player B1 serves for Team B in Game 2
• Player A2 serves for Team A in Game 3
• Player B2 serves for Team B in Game 4

Then the cycle repeats, with each player serving every fourth game. This rotation keeps serving balanced across teammates and adds another layer of strategy, especially when teams decide who serves first in a set.

Special Formats in Casual Doubles

Recreational or club-level doubles matches often include modified formats to keep things quicker and more social. Two of the most common tweaks:

• 10-point match tiebreak instead of a third set: Rather than playing a full third set, some formats use a super tiebreak (first to 10 points, win by 2). It shortens match time while still giving both teams a chance to close strong.
• “No-ad” scoring: When a game reaches deuce, the next point decides the game—no advantage or two-point lead needed. This rule is often used in doubles to speed up play without disrupting the flow.

Doubles tennis keeps the spirit of traditional scoring but introduces just enough variation to suit team strategy and recreational formats. Up next, we’ll look at even more variations players may encounter on local courts or within tennis apps.

Common Variations in Recreational Tennis

While official tournaments follow standard scoring formats, casual or recreational tennis often uses modified rules to shorten matches and simplify gameplay. These variations are especially popular in local leagues, club matches, and platforms like TennisPAL that support flexible scoring formats.

No-Ad Scoring (Sudden Death at Deuce)

In traditional tennis, when a game reaches deuce, players must win two consecutive points to secure the game. No-ad scoring skips that extra step.

• When the score hits 40–40, the next point decides the game.
• Whoever wins that single point takes the game, no advantage required.

This rule is especially helpful in recreational settings where players want faster games without sacrificing competitiveness. It also keeps matches moving on tight court schedules.

Fast Four Sets

Fast Four tennis is a format designed for speed and simplicity. Instead of playing to six games in a set, players race to four:

• First to 4 games wins the set (must lead by 2 games, or play a tiebreak at 3–3).
• Tiebreaks are played at 3–3 using the standard 7-point system.
• Often includes no-ad scoring and shorter warmups.

Fast Four formats are ideal for tournaments with limited time or for casual players who want a match without the extended commitment.

10-Point Super Tiebreak Instead of a Third Set

Instead of playing a full third set, many recreational matches conclude with a 10-point super tiebreak:

• First player or team to reach 10 points wins, must lead by 2.
• Played just like a standard tiebreak but extended to 10 points.

This option balances fairness with speed and is frequently used in both singles and doubles, especially in local competitions or weekend match play.

By adopting these streamlined formats, recreational players can enjoy competitive matches without the time demands of full-length scoring. In the next section, we’ll go over some quick ways to remember all these formats and feel more confident tracking scores during play.

Tips for Remembering Tennis Scoring

Tennis scoring isn’t just unique, it’s layered. Between odd point names, tiebreak rules, and scoring variations, remembering it all can feel overwhelming at first. But once the structure clicks, it becomes second nature. A few practical tools and memory tricks can make the learning curve much smoother.

Use Simple Mnemonics

A quick mental shortcut can help lock the point sequence into memory. Try this one to recall the order:
“Love means zero, then 15, 30, 40, and game to go.”

For deuce and advantage, remember:
“D.A.G.” – Deuce → Advantage → Game
You need two consecutive points from deuce to close out the game.

Try Visual Aids or Printables

Some beginners find it helpful to carry a small cheat sheet or diagram during early matches. Even a basic chart showing:

• Point sequence (0, 15, 30, 40, Game)
• Deuce rules
• Game → Set → Match breakdown

…can be enough to boost confidence until the structure becomes instinctive.

Track Matches with Apps Like TennisPAL

Using an app like TennisPAL takes pressure off memory while helping you learn through repetition. You can:

• Log match scores in real time
• Select scoring formats (e.g., Fast Four, No-Ad)
• Review previous sets to reinforce the structure

Learning through play is the fastest way to master tennis scoring, and digital tools make that easier than ever.

Final Thoughts

Tennis scoring can feel strange at first, between the jumpy point values, quirky terms, and layered formats, it’s easy to get lost. But once you’ve seen a few games and walked through a couple sets, the structure quickly becomes familiar. Like anything, it just takes repetition.

From understanding why 15 doesn’t follow 10, to recognizing when to switch servers in doubles, you now have a full view of how tennis scoring works. And once you get the rhythm, it’s not just understandable, it’s fun to follow.

If you’re new to the game or want to keep practicing what you’ve learned, use the TennisPAL app to track your matches, choose scoring formats, and stay on top of your game. It’s a smart way to reinforce your knowledge while actually playing.

Scoring is just a framework, what makes tennis exciting is everything that happens in between. So go play, keep score, and enjoy every rally.