Pro Counter+ guide

Tennis scoring explained

Understand tennis points, deuce, games, sets and tie-breaks, with a clear example of how the score moves.

Points inside a game

A standard game moves through love, 15, 30 and 40. Love means zero. The server's score is called first, so 30–15 means the server has won two points and the receiver one. A player or pair normally needs four points and a two-point margin to win the game. At 40–40, called deuce, a player must win two consecutive points: the first creates advantage, and the next wins the game. If the opponent wins the advantage point, the score returns to deuce.

From games to sets

Games are counted in ordinary numbers within a set. In a standard advantage set, a player or pair generally needs six games and a lead of two to take the set. At six games all, the rules or event format commonly call for a tie-break. Some competitions use a tie-break at a different score, a short set, or a match tie-break instead of a full final set. Check the event regulations because the ITF Rules allow approved alternative formats and the tournament chooses which one applies.

How a tie-break works

Tie-break points are counted as 0, 1, 2, 3 and onward, rather than using love, 15, 30 and 40. In a conventional tie-break, the first to seven points wins only with a two-point lead; if the score reaches 6–6, play continues until someone leads by two. Some formats use a tie-break to ten for a deciding set. Service order and change of ends also differ from a regular game, so follow the event's published procedure instead of relying on memory from another tournament.

Read a score in context

A score such as 30–40 is the point score in the current game. A score such as 4–3 is the number of games in the current set. A match score such as one set all describes completed sets. Keep those levels separate when reporting a score. For example, “15–30, four games to three, one set all” tells the listener the point, set and match positions in order. Saying only “four–three” can be ambiguous if someone thinks you mean the point score.

A short example

The server leads 40–30 and wins the rally: the game ends. If the receiver instead wins, the game goes to deuce. The receiver wins the next point and has advantage; if the receiver wins the next one too, the receiver takes the game. If the server wins that next rally, return to deuce. A tie-break later in the set uses numbered points, so do not carry the 15–30 style into it. At the end of each game, confirm the games count before the next serve.

Check the format before play

A score display may offer a standard tie-break, a match tie-break or no tie-break option. Choose the one in the event rules, not the one you remember from another tournament. In doubles, keep the serving order written down or confirm it at each change of service. At the end of a set, call the set score and the match score separately. If the players dispute a point, stop before the next serve and agree on the last score both remember. This avoids a small uncertainty becoming a disagreement about a whole game. Coaches and clubs may use shorter formats for practice, but state the scoring clearly before the warm-up ends. During a lesson, a coach may call the score while players focus on footwork or a drill. In a match, the players can take over once the exercise ends. The standard scoring vocabulary stays the same even when a practice format shortens the set.

Common questions

Why is zero called love? “Love” is the traditional tennis term for a score of zero.

What does AD mean? It means advantage after deuce; the player must win the next point to take the game.

Does every set use a tie-break at six-all? The match format decides. Check the competition rules.

Use Pro Counter+ to keep the score or household list close at hand. See Pro Counter+.