How Tennis Scoring Works: Points, Games, Sets Explained

By Sarah Miller · June 7, 2031

Tennis scoring works through a unique system that progresses from points (15, 30, 40) to games, sets, and ultimately matches. A player must win four points to win a game, six games with a margin of two to win a set, and typically best-of-three or best-of-five sets to win the match.

Understanding the Basics of Tennis Scoring

Tennis uses one of the most distinctive scoring systems in sports. Unlike most games measured by time or runs, tennis is structured around points, games, sets, and matches. The progression is hierarchical: winning points leads to games; winning games leads to sets; and winning sets leads to match victory.

How Points Are Scored in a Game

A single game begins at 'love' (zero), and points progress as 15, 30, 40. The first player to win four points wins the game, but must lead by at least two points. If both players reach 40, it's called 'deuce,' and a player must win two consecutive points to win the game—one to gain 'advantage' and another to win the game.

Love = 0 points
15 = First point won
30 = Second point won
40 = Third point won
Deuce = Both players have 40
Advantage = Player wins point after deuce
Game = Win by two clear points after deuce

Winning a Set: Rules and Formats

A set is won by the first player to win six games, but only if they lead by at least two games. If the score reaches 6-5, play continues until one player gains a two-game lead (e.g., 7-5). If the score reaches 6-6, a tiebreak is usually played to decide the set.

Types of Tiebreaks

The most common is the 7-point tiebreak, where the first player to reach 7 points with a margin of two wins the set 7-6. In Grand Slam men’s singles finals (except Wimbledon), a 10-point match-tiebreak is used at 6-6 in the final set.

Match Structure Across Tournaments

Matches are typically played as best-of-three or best-of-five sets, depending on the tournament and gender:

WTA Tour & most ATP Challenger events: Best-of-three sets
ATP Tour men’s singles: Best-of-five in Grand Slams; best-of-three in other tournaments
Grand Slam women’s singles: Best-of-three sets

Scoring Differences in Grand Slams

Each major has slight variations in final set rules:

Tournament	Final Set Format	Tiebreak Trigger	Last Updated
Australian Open	10-point tiebreak	At 6-6	2023
French Open (Roland Garros)	No tiebreak (previously); now 10-point at 6-6 (as of 2022)	At 6-6	2022
Wimbledon	10-point tiebreak	At 6-6	2023
US Open	7-point tiebreak	At 6-6	2023

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows recent standardization across Grand Slams, with all now using a tiebreak at 6-6 in the final set. The Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon use a 10-point tiebreak, while the US Open retains the traditional 7-point version. This change was introduced to prevent excessively long matches, such as the famous Isner–Mahut 70–68 encounter at Wimbledon 2010.

Common Scenarios in Tennis Scoring

Understanding real-time scoring can be confusing for new fans. Here are typical in-match situations:

Player A leads 40-30: One point away from winning the game.
Score at deuce: Must win two consecutive points.
Set score 6-4: Player won set by two games, no tiebreak needed.
Set score 7-6(5): Won via tiebreak, opponent scored 5 points.
Match ends 6-3, 4-6, 6-2: Best-of-three match decided in three sets.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennis Scoring

Why does tennis use 15, 30, and 40 instead of 15, 30, 45?

The origin is believed to come from medieval French clock faces, where each point advanced the hand by 15 minutes (15, 30, 45). However, 45 was later changed to 40, possibly to avoid 60 (a full circle), requiring deuce and advantage to extend the game.

What happens if a set reaches 6-6?

In most professional matches, a tiebreak game is played when the set reaches 6-6. The winner of the tiebreak wins the set 7-6. The format varies—7-point or 10-point—depending on the tournament and set number.

Can a tennis match end in a draw?

No, tennis matches cannot end in a draw. Players continue until one wins the required number of sets. Even in final sets, modern rules enforce a tiebreak to ensure a decisive outcome.

How long does an average tennis match last?

An average best-of-three match lasts 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Best-of-five matches, especially in Grand Slams, average 3 to 5 hours. The longest match in history—Isner vs. Mahut at Wimbledon 2010—lasted over 11 hours across three days.

Do all tournaments use the same scoring rules?

While the core scoring system is consistent, final set rules differ. Most ATP and WTA events use a standard 7-point tiebreak at 6-6. Grand Slams now use either 7-point or 10-point final-set tiebreaks, with the US Open being the only one still using the 7-point version in the deciding set.