Section 6: Scoring
Points within a Game (ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 6)
The score within a game is called using specific terminology. Starting from zero, the points are:
- 0 points: "Love"
- 1st point won: "15"
- 2nd point won: "30"
- 3rd point won: "40"
- 4th point won: Game won (if opponent has not reached 40)
If both players reach 40 points each ("40–all"), the score is called Deuce. From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to win the game. The point won after deuce is called the Advantage for the player who won it. If the player with the advantage wins the next point, they win the game. If they lose it, the score returns to deuce. This continues until one player wins two consecutive points from deuce.
No-Ad scoring: As an approved alternative (Rule 6, Note 1), a single deciding point may be played at deuce; in this case, the receiver chooses from which side of the court the service is delivered.
Games within a Set (Rule 7)
The first player to win six games wins a set, provided there is a margin of two games over the opponent (e.g., 6–4 or 6–0). If the score reaches 6 games all, the set is decided by a tiebreak game (Rule 9), unless the competition format specifies a different procedure (e.g., advantage set, used at some Grand Slams in the final set — see below).
The Tiebreak Game (Rule 9)
In a tiebreak game, points are scored as 1, 2, 3, etc. The first player to reach 7 points wins the tiebreak game and the set (e.g., 7–6), provided there is a margin of two points. If the score reaches 6 points all, the tiebreak continues until one player leads by two points. The player whose turn it was to serve first in the tiebreak game serves the first point from the right service box. The opponent then serves the next two points (starting from the left). Thereafter, each player alternately serves for two consecutive points until the tiebreak is won.
Players change ends after every six points in the tiebreak, and at the end of the tiebreak. The player who served first in the tiebreak shall receive service in the first game of the following set.
Match Tiebreak (Super Tiebreak): As an approved alternative (Rule 9, Note 2), a match tiebreak played to 10 points (with a margin of 2) may be used in lieu of a final set. This format is used in the final set at the Australian Open (since 2019), and in doubles at all four Grand Slams. The US Open uses a standard tiebreak in all sets including the final set. Roland Garros and Wimbledon introduced the match tiebreak at 6–6 in the final set starting in 2022 and 2019 respectively.
Sets within a Match (Rule 8)
- Best of three sets: The first player to win two sets wins the match. Used in most women's professional matches and many men's tour matches below Grand Slam level.
- Best of five sets: The first player to win three sets wins the match. Used in men's Grand Slam singles and Davis Cup singles/doubles rubbers.
Announcing the Score
Per ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix V (Role of Officials), the chair umpire is responsible for announcing the score at the end of every point, game, set, and match. The server's score is always called first. A set score is announced after each game. At the change of ends, the chair umpire announces the overall match score.