The match map
Points build games. Games build sets. Sets build the match.
01
Points
Win points to win a game.
02
Games
Usually six games wins a set.
03
Sets
Often the first to two sets wins.
01 / Points
How to win a game
Tennis points do not count 1, 2, 3. The score moves through Love, 15, 30, and 40. At 40, a player wins the game by winning the next point, unless both players reach 40.
- Love
- 0 points
- 15
- 1 point
- 30
- 2 points
- 40
- 3 points
- Game
- Win the next point with a two-point lead
02 / Deuce
At 40-40, you need two in a row.
Both players are at 40.
The next point puts one player one point ahead.
Win the following point while ahead to take the game.
If the player with advantage loses the next point, the score returns to deuce.
03 / Sets
Six games, with a margin.
A player usually wins a set by reaching six games with at least a two-game lead: 6-0, 6-2, or 6-4 all win a set.
At 6-5, the leader must win the next game for a 7-5 set. At 6-6, most formats use a tie-break to decide the set.
04 / Tie-breaks
First to seven, still win by two.
Tie-break points use ordinary numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on. A player needs at least seven points and a two-point margin. So 7-5 wins, but 7-6 does not; play continues until someone leads by two.
05 / Super tie-break
A common third-set decider.
Many league and club formats replace a deciding third set with a super tie-break. The rules are the same as a regular tie-break, but the target is ten points: first to 10, with a two-point lead.
Keep the score close
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