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How tennis scoring works: 15, 30, 40 and deuce
The strangest scoring system in sport, explained once and for all: games, sets, tie-breaks and why they say 'love'.
Tennis scoring confuses everyone who comes to it new. Once you see the structure, it is simple: points make games, games make sets, sets make the match.
Points within a game
| Points won | Called |
|---|---|
| 0 | Love |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 30 |
| 3 | 40 |
| 4 | Game |
To win a game you need four points with a two-point margin. If both reach 40 that is deuce, and from there you must win two points in a row: the first is called advantage.
Why 15, 30, 40
The most accepted explanation is that points were marked on a clock face: a quarter, a half, three quarters. The 45 was likely shortened to 40 through use. And 'love' is thought to come from the French l'oeuf, the egg, for the shape of a zero.
Games within a set
A set goes to whoever reaches six games with a two-game margin. At 6-6 a tie-break is normally played.
The tie-break
Counted with normal numbers: 1, 2, 3. First to seven points with a two-point margin wins. Serve changes after the first point and then every two points.
The match
Most competitions are best of three sets. In men's Grand Slams, best of five.
Details that trip people up
- Serve changes player after every game.
- Players change ends after the first game and then every two games.
- The server calls their score first: 30-15 means 30 to the server.