Tennis Scoring, Games, Sets and Tie-Breaks
Tennis scoring has three layers: points within games, games within sets and sets within the match.
Separate a tennis point from a game and a set. In a standard game, the score progresses from zero to 15, 30 and 40; the next point may win the game. The server's score is called first, so 30-15 describes that player's lead within the current game, not the whole match.
What happens at 40-40?
This is deuce. Under advantage scoring, a player needs two consecutive points from deuce: one for advantage and another to win. Losing the next point while holding advantage returns the game to deuce. The USTA scoring guide explains the sequence.
For example, someone trailing 30-40 can save the game point and eventually win that game. Winning a difficult point is not the same as winning the game unless the scoring conditions are satisfied.
Sets and tie-breaks
A conventional set requires six games with a two-game margin, or a tie-break at the score specified by the format. A standard tie-break uses 1, 2 and 3 rather than 15 and 30, and normally requires seven points with a two-point margin.
The 2026 Rules of Tennis also permit alternatives, including no-ad scoring and a match tie-break replacing a deciding set. Do not assume every competition uses the same set format or number of sets.
A service break is different
A service break means the receiver wins the opponent's service game. A tie-break is a special scoring game used to decide a set or match under the regulations. On the screen, identify the server, then the current game score, then the games and sets already won.
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