rules - Points are given in tennis 15-30-40. Why 40? - Sports Stack Exchange Points are given in tennis 15-30-40. Why 40? up vote 71 down vote favorite 10 Tennis scoring goes 15-30-40-game. Why 40? Why not 45? What is the meaning of the points being given in tennis as 15-30-40-game? What is the history of this scoring calculation? up vote 59 down vote accepted The answer to this is a little convoluted and the answer is just what is "believed" to have been the reason behind the scoring numbers, but since tennis is a game that dates back to the 19th century, it's tough to know for sure. Anyway, here goes... Think of a clock face that is divided up into quadrants - which would give you the 15, 30, 45, and 60 intervals.

The problem with using that to score tennis games though, is that to win a game, you have to win by 2 points if the score reaches deuce (40-40 or "40 all"). So it is believed that the first 3 points would advance the hand to 15, 30 and 40 - and then the next 2 points would advance the hand by 10 minutes - first to 50, then to 60 - still keeping the game finished at the 60 mark. If the (serving) player failed to win 2 points in a row after deuce, the hand would move back to 40 and the score would be at deuce again. See here for some additional theories behind the scoring nomenclature. up vote 28 down vote The best explanation I could find of this is from Wikipedia : The origins of the 15, 30, and 40 scores are believed to be medieval French. It is possible that a clock face was used on court, with a quarter move of the hand to indicate a score of 15, 30, and 45.

When the hand moved to 60, the game was over. However, in order to ensure that the game could not be won by a one-point difference in players' scores, the idea of "deuce" was introduced. To make the score stay within the "60" ticks on the clock face, the 45 was changed to 40. Therefore, if both players have 40, the first player to score receives ten and that moves the clock to 50. If the player scores a second time before the opponent is able to score, they are awarded another ten and the clock moves to 60. The 60 signifies the end of the game. However, if a player fails to score twice in a row, then the clock would move back to 40 to establish another "deuce". It makes very well sense that this is the case. up vote 10 down vote As for the history of tennis scoring, there are two background stories: That it has its origin in medieval numerology. The number 60 was considered to be a "good" or "complete" number back then, in about the same way you'd consider 100 to be a nice round figure today.

The medieval version of tennis, therefore, was based on 60--the four points when 15, 30, 45 (which we abbreviate to 40) and 60, or game. The system may be based on the presence of a clock face at the end of the tennis court. A quarter move of the appropriate hand was made after each rest, with the score being called as 15, 30, or 45. As the hand was moved to 60, this was the game. This didn't explain a score of 40, however. up vote 7 down vote The theories of the clock are as I understand it correct in that the score was kept on a clock using the 15, 30 and 45 minute marks ... so why 40? To understand this it is good to realise that this all was established in France and when the scores were called out they would have called quinze (15), trente (30) and quarante-cinq (45) ..

however quarante-cinq is a bit of a mouthful (3 syllables instead of one) compared to the other two so it was abbreviated to simply "quarante" or 40. When the rules became standardised in the late 19th century in both the US and Britain ..it became simply ..15, 30 , 40 How to Score the Game of Tennis How to Score the Game of Tennis Often tennis professionals are asked how to keep score in the game of tennis. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer. The explanation provided below may prove useful. In the game of tennis ï¿½ points make up a game, games make up a set, and sets make up a match. POINTS A point is scored when someone makes an error, hits past the opponent, or forces the opponent to make the error. The points are scored in this manner: 0 = Love 3rd point = 40 4th point = Game In scoring, the serverï¿½s points are always given first. For example: If the server wins the first point the score would be 15-Love. If the receiver should win the first point, the score would be Love-15.

GAMES The most difficult part of scoring in tennis is the game. Points make up a game. The first person to win 4 points (by a margin of two or more) is the winner of the game. The unusual thing about the game is what happens if the score becomes 3 points all (tied at 40-40). At that time the score would be ï¿½deuceï¿½. The next point won after deuce would be one of the players ï¿½advantageï¿½ or ï¿½addï¿½. It might be stated ï¿½your addï¿½, or more formally stated ï¿½advantage, Mr. Smithï¿½. Some players might say ï¿½add-inï¿½ if it is the serverï¿½s advantage, or ï¿½add-outï¿½ if it is the receiverï¿½s advantage. All of these methods are acceptable means of calling the score in an advantage situation. The next point won after someoneï¿½s ï¿½addï¿½ would either be ï¿½gameï¿½ or ï¿½deuceï¿½ again.

Deuce, add-in, deuce, add-out can go on indefinitely until someone wins by a margin of two or more points. Letï¿½s run through a hypothetical game: Smith ï¿½ server; Ryan ï¿½ Receiving Ryan wins the first point: love ï¿½ 15 Smith wins the second point: 15 ï¿½ all Smith wins the third point: 30 ï¿½ 15 Smith wins the forth point: 40 ï¿½ 15 *Ryan wins the fifth point: 40 ï¿½ 30 Ryan wins the sixth point: deuce Ryan wins the seventh point: Ryanï¿½s add, or add-out, or advantage Ryan Smith wins the eight point: deuce Smith wins the ninth point: Smithï¿½s add, or add-in Smith wins tenth point: Smith wins the game (finally!) *Had Smith won either this point or the next one, he would have won the game. SETS A set is completed when one of the players wins six games by a margin of two or more games.

Therefore, the score could be 6 ï¿½ 2, or 6 ï¿½ 3, or 6 ï¿½ 4, but not 6 ï¿½ 5, It could be 7 ï¿½ 5 (because a player won by a margin of two games). Should the score go to 6 games ï¿½ all, a tiebreaker would be played to determine the winner of the set. A match can consist of: The best 2 out of 3 sets (the most common). The best 3 out of 5 sets (same is used in major tournaments such as U.S. Open and Wimbledon). The first to win 10 games (a pro set). THE TIEBREAKER The tiebreaker is played if the players reach 6 games ï¿½ all. The next player to serve (player A) will serve the first point from the right hand (forehand) court. The next two points will be served by player B beginning from the left hand (backhand) court, then the right (forehand) court. The forth and fifth points will be served by player A, beginning with the left court, then the right court.

The sixth and seventh points will be served by player B, beginning with the left (backhand) court, again. This goes on indefinitely until either player wins 7 points, by a margin of 2 or more. It is possible for the score to be as high as 21-19, because a player must win by two points or more to win the tiebreaker! One final note: After each six points of the tiebreaker, the players should switch ends of the court.ï¿½ The best way to learn the way to score a match is to sit down in front of the television while a major tournament is on. Try to give the score along with the announcers. The Tennis Scoring System, Rules and Guidelines. The Tennis Scoring System 'Game-Set-Match' The tennis scoring system is a well thought out set of rules and guidelines specifically designed to guarantee a winner at the end of a tennis game, set, or match. Contrary to a number of sports, the outcome in tennis competition never results in a 'tie'. The competition must play out until a tennis competitor or a tennis team is crowned with the championship for that tournament.

Spectators unfamiliar with the game of tennis are typically fascinated and pleasantly entertained by the competitive nature of the sport. Without a doubt, tennis is a high-spirited inspiring sport to watch, but many these spectators eventually find themselves disconnected at various stages of the competition due to the lack of tennis scoring knowledge. Problem Solved… The solution is to gradually learn the tennis scoring system and eventually master the official rules and guidelines acknowledged by tennis communities and tennis organizations around the globe. The terminology in tennis scoring is easy to learn and understand. "Game-Set-Match" is the habitual announcement voiced by tennis players and tennis officials to end a competition when the final point is played. This notification officially finalizes the tennis scoring for that match and if this is the 'finals' competition this announcement ends the tournament. Breaking down the details of the Game-Set-Match concept simplifies the ability to grasp and interpret tennis scoring. Now let's get down to the 'nuts and bolts' of the tennis scoring system. Here we go... Competitive tennis athletes are always striving to advance to the next round of competition in a tournament. The ultimate goal is to play for the championship in the 'finals'. To achieve this goal, a competitive tennis athlete must...

earn a minimum of 4 points to win a game. play at least 6 games to win a set. win no less than 2 sets (at times 3 sets) to close out a match. Prior to playing a match, competitors must decide who or which team will serve first and which sides of the court each competitor or team will initiate game play. A coin toss or racquet spin is the typical action performed to determine the privilege of picking first. The winner(s) of the coin toss or racquet spin determines either the serving options or which end of the court to initiate game play. The competitor(s) who lost the toss or spin determines the second option. Tennis Scoring: Game A tennis serve initiates game play and the player serving serves the entire game. In order to win the game, a tennis competitor must win a number of points. Each game consists of a series of points and remember a competitor must accumulate at least four points to win the game. The servers score is always announced first the entire game with tennis terminology voiced in a manner unique to tennis.

Points Earned 0 = 0 Games Points or 'Love' Points Earned 1 = 15 Game Points Points Earned 2 = 30 Game Points Points Earned 3 = 40 Game Points Points Earned 4 = Game Over (2 Point Advantage Required) The winner of a tennis game must win with a two point advantage. In other words, if the score is 40-0 and the server wins the next point, the server wins the game. Consequently, if the server loses the next point the score is 40-15 and the server must continue to serve and play out that game. Deuce is the terminology expressed when the score in the game is 40-40. Remember, in order to win the game, a tennis competitor must gain a two point advantage over his or her opponent. To win the game when the score is deuce, a competitor must score two consecutive points (one immediately after the other) --- otherwise the score reverts back to deuce. The first competitor to score after the score is deuce is ahead by one point and now has what is termed in tennis as having the Advantage or 'Ad' for short.

Remember the server’s score is announced first. If the server was the first player to score after the game score is deuce, then the score is announced "Advantage In or Ad In" by the server prior to serving the next point. If the receiver was the first player to score after the game score is deuce, then the score is announced "Advantage Out or Ad Out" by the server prior to serving the next point. The tennis term 'game point' is announced when a competitor (server or receiver) is ahead by one to three points and only needs one point to win the game. For instance, if a tennis competitor’s score is ... 30-40 and the competitor only has one point to win the game, this tennis competitor has a 'game point'. This means this tennis competitor has one chance to close out and win the game. 40-15 and the competitor only has one point to win the game, this tennis competitor has a 'double game point'. This means this tennis competitor has two consecutive chances to close out and win the game. 0-40 or love-40 and the competitor only has one point to win the game, this tennis competitor has a 'triple game point'.

This means this tennis competitor has three consecutive chances to close out and win the game. This systematic process can also be announced in sets and matches utilizing the terms 'set point' and 'match point' respectively. The tennis term 'break point' is announced when the receiving competitor is ahead by one to three points and only needs one point to win the game and 'break' the server's serve. For instance, if a receiving competitor's score is… 30-40, the receiver only has to score one point to win the game. The receiver has a 'break point'. This indicates that the receiver has one chance to break the server's serve to close out and win the game. 15-40, the receiver only has to score one point to win the game. The receiver has a 'double break point'. This indicates that the receiver has two consecutive chances to break the server's serve to close out and win the game. 0-40, the receiver only has to score one point to win the game. The receiver has a 'triple break point'. This indicates that the receiver has three consecutive chances to break the server's serve to close out and win the game.

Tennis Scoring: Set A tennis set is determined when a competitor has won a minimum of six games with at least a two game advantage over his or her opponent. The potential score outcome for a set could be 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, or 6-0. Did you notice I did not mention 6-5? Think about that for a second. Did you figure out why? Chances are, you did. Just in case though, let's clarify this justification. Keep in mind that a tennis competitor can only close out a set when leading by two or more games. As a result, 6-5 continues game play until a final score such as 7-5 or 8-6 is achieved by one of the tennis competitors. A competitive tennis set can last as long as an hour or even more unless tie-breaker scoring or no-ad scoring was predetermine as part of the rules for that match. Tournament rules could dictate a 'Pro Set' in an effort to speed up matches if time is of the essence in a competition.

When playing a 'Pro Set' also known as an '8 Game Pro Set' the winner of the match must win at least 8 games leading with a minimum advantage of two or more games. Rotation of sides on the tennis court is continuous during a match when the total number of games in a set is an odd number. For instance, let's say the total game score in a set is 5-4. Just add 5 + 4 = 9. 9 is an odd number, so the competitors rotate sides before starting the next game. On the other hand, let's say the total game score in the set is 2-0. Just add 2 + 0 = 2. 2 is an even number, so the competitors do not rotate sides. Tennis Scoring: Match The structure of a tennis match is deliberately designed with an odd number of sets to ensure a winner emerges at the end of the match. Typically, tennis competitors play the best 2 out of 3 sets to determine a winner of a match. The potential outcome could end up in a final score of 2-0 or 2-1 for the winner of a match.

Men's professional tennis competitors play the best 3 out of 5 sets in Grand Slam tournaments such as the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon or the U.S. Open. The potential outcome could end up in a final score of 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 for the winner in this type of match. In a 'nutshell'... The tennis competitor who wins the majority of sets within a match is the WINNER of that match competition. The exhilarating sport of tennis is viewed on numerous household television screens as well as countless tennis arenas around the nation and throughout the world. Watching top-notch athlete's battle for each point, game, set, and match is impressive to say the least. Watching is one thing, understanding the battles and results is another. Knowing the tennis scoring system rules and guidelines detailed here is the key to maximizing your tennis experiences when watching a tennis match or a tennis tournament.

Simple Introduction to Tennis Scoring for Beginners Simple Introduction to Tennis Scoring for Beginners Playing a Game To put the tennis scoring system as simply as possible, one must win: four points to win a game six games to win a set two (or, more rarely, three) sets to win a match We'll call the players A and B. By winning a coin toss or a spin of the racquet, A gets to choose one of the following: choose an end of the court have B choose Let's say A chooses to serve. B then gets to choose an end of the court. A may serve from anywhere behind her baseline between the right singles sideline and the center mark. The serve must be struck before the ball bounces, and it must land in the service box diagonally opposite her. She gets two chances to get a serve in. If she misses both, she loses the point. If a serve that is otherwise good nicks the net on its way in, it is redone. If A gets her serve in, B must return the ball, after exactly one bounce, into any part of A's singles court.

A and B must then return the ball, after no more than one bounce, into one another's singles court until one of them misses. continue reading below our video How to Throw a Perfect Spiral in Football A will serve from the left side of her baseline for the second point of the game, and she will continue to alternate right and left for the start of each point of the game. Let's say A wins the first point. At the start of the next point, she must announce the score, her point total first: "15 - love." (Love = 0.) B wins the next point: "15 all." B wins the next point: "15 - 30." A wins the next point: "30 all." A wins the next point: "40 - 30." If A wins the next point, she wins the game. If B wins the next point, the score is "40 all," which is called "deuce." At deuce, one player must win the next two points to win the game. If, at deuce, A wins the next point, she has the advantage, and the score is called "ad in," which means server's advantage.

If B had won that point, the score would have been "ad out." If the player having the advantage wins the following point, he or she wins that game. If the player with the advantage loses the point, the score returns to deuce. With traditional scoring, games can go back and forth from deuce to ad over and over. The "No Ad" variation on the scoring within games allows for a game to be won by a margin of one point. Instead of "15," "30," and "40" used to note points, players may use "1," "2," and "3." At "3 all," the receiver may choose whether to receive in the left or right service box. The winner of that point wins the game. At the end of the first and every odd-numbered game, the players switch ends of the court, and the player who served the previous game now receives serve. The server always begins a game by serving from the right.

At the start of each game, she announces the number of games each has won, starting with her own score, for example, "3 - 2." Once a player has won six games by a margin of two or more, he or she has won the set. If the score within a set reaches 6 - 6, the players may either continue to try to reach a margin of two (such as 8 - 6 or 9 - 7), or they may play a tie-break to decide the set. In tournament play, this choice will have been determined in advance, but recreational players often choose whichever option appeals to them at the moment. In a standard "12-point tie break" (best of 12), one player must win seven points by a margin or two or more. The player who received in the game preceding the tie-break serves the first point of the tie-break, starting from the right. The other player then serves the next two points, the first from the left, then the second from the right. Each player continues serving two points per turn. Points are scored with counting numbers ("1, 2, 3 . . .").

When the point total reaches six and each multiple of six, the players switch ends of the court. Starting a New Set If the previous set ended with an odd-numbered total of games, the players switch ends to begin the new set. (A tie-break counts as one game.) They will switch ends after every odd game through each set. At the start of a new set, the player who received in the last game of the previous set (or received first in the tie-break) now serves. Completing a Match In most tournaments , the first player to win two sets (best of three) wins the match. In a few events, such as men's Grand Slam tournaments, one must win three sets (best of five). Where time or fitness impose limits on the length of matches, a tie-break is sometimes used in place of a third set. Recreational players often keep going until they're exhausted, even if one of them has won four sets in a row. Where Did Tennis Get Its Scoring System? | Mental Floss Where Did Tennis Get Its Scoring System? Getty Images Like us on Facebook Love? 15-30...40? What's the deal with tennis scoring? There’s no shortage of theories.

Here are a few of them, along with input from sportscaster and former tennis pro Mary Carillo (pictured above with Rafael Nadal after his win in last night's U.S. Open men's final). Love You know how sometimes when a team in any sport comes up empty-handed on points, it’s said that there was a big ol’ goose egg on the scoreboard? Some people believe that a similar French expression is the reason zero points is called “love” in tennis. L’oeuf is French for “egg,” you see, so the thought is that over the years, we’ve slowly butchered the pronunciation into “love.” Carillo agrees: “It’s the goose egg, exactly. Most tennis historians believe the French translation of ‘egg’ is probably the most likely theory.” There's a less popular theory that we’ve managed to twist the Dutch or Flemish word “lof,” meaning “honor.” The idea is that the player with zero points is simply playing for honor—because he or she certainly isn’t playing for a win. But that’s not all the Dutch have up their sleeves: one more possibility stems from the lof in the phrase “iets voor lof doen,” which means to do something for praise.

The Oxford English Dictionary suggests that love really does mean “love.” The only thing keeping a scoreless player on the court is the love of the game. A final “love” theory that doesn’t involve any kind of mistranslation or mispronunciation at all: When both players start at zero points and no one is winning or losing, they still have love for each other. The 15-30-40 scoring Now that “love” is as clear as mud, let’s figure out why tennis is scored in what appears to be a completely random jumble of numbers. Before there was tennis, there was a French game called jeu de paume (“palm game”) that was very similar to tennis, but players used their hands instead of a racquet. The scoring system we use for tennis today was based on jeu de paume’s system, but the reason for that 15-30-40-Game scoring is still a little shaky. There are three possibilities. First is the theory that, back in the pre-Revolution days, the 1000-plus jeu de paume courts in French were 90 feet total, 45 per side.

Upon scoring, the server got to move up 15 feet. Another score meant another 15-foot scoot forward. Since a third score would put the server right at the net, 10 feet was the last bump forward. If you’ve ever noticed the scoring system’s similarity to a clock face, you’re not alone. “That’s the theory I think is most common—that you’re just playing your way around the clock,” Carillo said. It makes even more sense when you know that in medieval numerology, the number 60 was considered a nice, round number, the way 100 is a satisfying set of digits today. Finally, the Europeans were preoccupied with astronomy and sextant (one-sixth of a circle), which is 60 degrees, so they may have scored the game around the completion of a perfect circle. From the United States Tennis Association Official Encyclopedia of Tennis: "In early records of the game in France, sets were played to four games. Since sixty degrees make a full circle when multiplied by six, it is thought that matches were six sets of four games each. Therefore, each point was worth fifteen degrees, or points, contributing to the whole.

The game concluded when one player completed a full circle of 360 degrees." Whichever one of these is the correct answer, it’s generally agreed that scoring used to be exactly what any logical person thinks it should be: 15, 30, 45, 60 (game). Over time, we’ve adapted 45 to 40 because it’s more clearly understood when yelled out on a court; “forty” can’t be confused with any other number. Seinfeld's Theory One of Carillo’s favorite scoring theories is not one you’ll find in history books. “I actually love the Seinfeld scoring system,” she told us. In typical Jerry Seinfeld fashion, he speculates that the points are awarded simply because playing tennis is just so damn hot: Whatever the real reasons for the scoring system are, one thing's for certain: Tennis wouldn’t be tennis without the unique point tally. “I happen to love the scoring system,” Carillo said. “Because of it, you have games like the one that was won in 21 minutes [on Saturday], when Novak Djokovic won the semifinal against Stanislas Wawrinka. It was thrilling, it was absolutely thrilling.

There was a standing ovation. As weird as the scoring system is, it just creates great tension and tactics in every game.” More from mental_floss... How to Keep Score for Tennis: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Understanding the Score 1 Consider the difference between a game, set, and a match. The match is the term that refers to the entire playing time of tennis. A match is comprised of either the best of three sets, or the best of five sets (depending on your league). Each set is played best out of six games. 2 Know how each game is scored. One player serves per game. A game is generally won when a player (or team if you are playing doubles) wins four points. A point is started when one player serves, and the opponent hits it back and the point continues in a back and forth manner until one player hits it out or in the net. Keep in mind that a game might take seven points, or more, to end if, for instance, one player wins three points and another wins four.

Each point is given its own value for each player [1] : 1st point won is "15 points" 2nd point won is "30 points" 3rd point won is "40 points" 4th point won makes GAME (signifying the end of the game) 3 Know how to call the score when you are serving. During each game, it is the server’s job to call out the score so that the opponent can hear it (unless you are actually playing in a professional setting in which they have a score keeper). You are always supposed to say your score, followed by your opponent’s score. For example: If you have won two points and your opponent has won one, you would call out “30-15”. If your opponent has won three points and you have won one, you would call out “15-40”. 4 Understand how each set is scored. Each set is played until one player or team (if you are playing doubles) has won six games. At the beginning of your serve, you must always call out the number of games each player or team has won, starting with your score.

For example: If you have won four games, and your opponent has won two, you would call out “4-2” before beginning your “service game” (the game you serve the ball in, rather than receive). 5 Know that you must always win by two if there is a tie. This refers to both games and sets. Here are some examples [2] : If you both have a score of 40 to 40, then you have to win two points in a row in order to win the game. (See Step 3 below for more details). If you both have won 5 games, and the score is 5 to 5, then you will need to win two more games in a row to make it 7-5 in order to win the set. If it is 5 to 5 and you win the next game, the score becomes 6-5. If you lose the next game and the score is 6-6, you will need to win 8 to 6 in order to win the set. Some sets have had scores of 12 to 10 or even higher. 6 Know when the match has been won (or lost).

Depending on the league you are playing in, you will either need to win three out of five sets, or two out of three sets. However, like with games and sets, you must win by two. That means that matches can sometimes be five out of seven sets, or even seven out of nine sets if you and your opponent keep tying. 7 Know how to write down the score after the match. On a scorecard, you should write the score of each set down. You should always write your score first. For example, if you won the match, your scorecard might look like this: 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. That means that you won the first set 6 games to 3; you lost the second set 4 games to 6; and you won the third set 6 games to 2. Part 2 Understanding the Terminology 1 Understand what ‘all’ means in tennis. ‘All’ essentially means ‘both’ in tennis lingo. If you and your opponent have both won one point, thus making it 15-15, you would actually call out “15-all”. The same goes for sets.

If you both have won three games, you would call out “3-all” before starting your serve. [3] 2 Know what ‘love’ means. And no, we are not talking about the romantic, or even the platonic, kind of love. In tennis, the word ‘love’ refers to a score of zero. For example: If you are serving and have not won any points, but your opponent has won two, you would call out “love-30”. Same goes for games. If you have won three games, but your opponent has won none, you would call out “3-love”. If you are just beginning a game and neither of you have won any points, you would call out “love-all”. (Which is a pretty nice sentiment to begin a game with). 3 Understand the words ‘deuce’ and ‘advantage’. In tennis, when two players have a tied score of 40 to 40 during a game, it is called a ‘deuce’. There are two ways to play out a deuce--either the person to get the next point wins, or you play ‘advantage’ (‘ad’ for short).

This means that a player must win the deuce point, and the following point. [4] 4 Understand ‘ad-in’ and ‘ad-out’. When the player serving wins the deuce point, the score is ‘ad-in’ (advantage-in, meaning the server has the advantage). When the receiver wins the deuce point, the score is ‘ad-out’. If one player wins the deuce point, but doesn’t win the ad, then the score goes back to deuce. For example, if you were serving and you both won four points (making it 40-40 a.k.a. deuce) then you would serve again. Let’s say you won the deuce point making it ‘ad-in’. If you win the next point, you win the game. If you lose the next point, the score goes back to deuce and your opponent has the chance to beat you and get ‘ad-out’. If your opponent loses the ‘ad-out’, it goes back to deuce...etc. Community Q&A What does love actually mean? wikiHow Contributor It means zero. In French, the term "oeuf" means egg, and an egg is oval-shaped like a zero.

Oeuf sounded to English speakers like "love," and the term stuck! Who gets a point if I serve and the opponent misses? wikiHow Contributor If your serve is in and the opponent does not return the ball, it is your point. What is the proper wordage for four points in tennis? wikiHow Contributor There is no specific term denoting a fourth point in a regular tennis game. The usual scoring system in tennis starts with "love" or zero. The first point is called "15." The second point is called "30." The third point is called "40." The next (or fourth) point does not have a name! If one player scores a fourth point before the opponent scores three points, the game is over, and there is actually no score attached to the victory. If the players end up tied 40-40, it's called a deuce and they continue playing, but there is still no name attached to the score of four points itself. Do we need to play six games for a set? wikiHow Contributor A set consists of at least six games. In order to win a set, a player must win at least six games and must win at least two games more than the opponent.

Thus, a winning score might be 6-0, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, or 6-4. If the score is 6-5, the opponents must continue to play until one player has won two games more than the opponent. A set could last for 20 or more games. (More recently they've instituted the "tie-breaker" to avoid really long sets.) In a set, is it best out of six games or first to six games? wikiHow Contributor The set is taken by the one who gets first wins six games and there is at least a difference of two games between players. If this question (or a similar one) is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know. Video Tips It is wise to discuss the scoring rules when playing with a tennis partner for the first time. Some players ask that the score be called out prior to each point. Others do not want to play with standard scoring. For example, when someone plays "no ad" scoring, they eliminate the need for two points to be won consecutively when reaching the "40 all" score.

You don't have to keep score if you don't want to--often, just "rallying" (hitting the ball back and forth between players) can be just as fun as playing a match. If you have forgotten the score during a game notice which side you are serving on. Any score that ends with "all" is on the right side. Updated: Views: 172,856 "Helped me understand the scoring while watching the Andy Murray/Lu match at Wimbledon. I'm not a tennis fan, but tuned in today as a break from the political discussions. :)"..." more - Tommy Roddy "The score in English language was most helpful, I didn't know why you say "love" when the score is equal or the same for both players. Thanks."..." more - Nora Josefina Marquez "Nice explanations, direct and to the point, with graphic pictures showing the results. I sincerely appreciate your efforts!"..." more - Ted A. I haven't played tennis in years, and my grandson (15) wants me to teach him. This was a good review. - Charlie Hobbs Points scoring helped. - Paul Walker Scoring | USTA Scoring Q.

There was a fine player watching our doubles match at the Southern Senior Closed. He and his partner were scheduled to play the winner of our match in the next round. Anyway, there was an honest disagreement about the score in a particular game. All four participants knew and respected the observer and would have accepted his opinion of the score. The rule is that we could not ask him what the score was. I do not understand what the objection to asking him would be. I was told that we were not allowed to ask and he would not be allowed to offer an opinion. A. I get abuse for answering these “rule questions” with an opinion, as opposed to sticking strictly with the regulations, but here I go again… Given the situation that you described, where all four players innocently forgot the game score, and to a man you respect the integrity of the observer, then I do not see ANY problem with asking for his input. Now, mind you, this is not a 12 & under junior match where over-involved parents are in the mix; instead, this is a Senior doubles match between gentlemen who understand our sport’s honor code.

It is simply common sense to rely on this well-respected observer to clarify the score… so that you can immediately return to the objective at hand: Playing! Q. What exactly is a "Pro Set" and how is it played? A. An eight-game pro set is a regular set that is played to eight games (first to eight games by two, with a tiebreaker at eight games all). A ten-game pro set is to ten games. These were established during the old Pro Tour barnstorming days, thus the name “pro set.” It allowed spectators to see more matches per session that way. Incidentally, eight-game pro sets are used during doubles for all Division I college dual matches. Q. How do we keep score during a nine-point tiebreaker? When do we switch sides? A. A nine-point tiebreaker (which used to be called a “sudden death” tiebreaker, by the way) has become increasingly rare. The first person or team to reach five points wins. In doubles, team A serves two points (always to the deuce and then ad courts), then team B serves the next two points. Switch ends of the court.

Then the other member of team A serves the fifth and (if necessary) the sixth point. Lastly, the other member of team B serves the final three points (as necessary). If the score reaches four points all, then the next point wins the set. The receiving player/team decides which side (and which player) receives serve for this “sudden death” point. Q. My wife and I have a question. Was there a time in the distant past when a score of 4 - 0 won a set rather than requiring the sets to go to six? A. Within the last few years, some tournaments have tinkered with the scoring format. The only scenario I can recall that is closest to the one you describe is when sets are played to four, and matches are best-of-five sets. This was done briefly in some men’s Futures events. Q. Could you give some suggestions for teams to practice to overcome tiebreaker slump--that is to play 10-point match tiebreakers in such a way that they are more likely to win. I am on two USTA league teams and we need to practice something. A. I would suggest that you might expect a team to win 50% of their tiebreakers. Why?

Because if they split sets and then play a Match TB, it is apparent that they are pretty even. To succeed in tiebreakers (the regular 12-pointers- first to seven by two- or the Match TB’s), you need to execute the tactics that give you an advantage. By that I mean that you ought to play your favorite shots, as often as possible, and make your opponent(s) play their least favorite shots. Make sure to take a little extra time between points to gather your thoughts and maintain your composure. Be positive. Negative thoughts can cause you to play a few bad points, and that is recipe for failure over such a short sample of points. Q. Why is it that during "player challenges" that sometimes the winner of the challenge is awarded the point and at other times the shot is replayed? Replaying the point seems unfair as the challenger has already won the point. A. If the chair umpire decides that the ball would have been a “winner,” then the point counts. If the umpire believes that the player would have had a reasonable play on the ball, then they play a let. It is solely at the discretion of the umpire, and usually it is not difficult to make this determination.

Q. I need you to settle an argument. It is my understanding that a final set (fifth for men and third for women) in Grand Slams is not decided by a standard tiebreaker resulting in a 7-6 score. Instead, the players play until someone wins by two games. Am I wrong? If I am right, is there a limit to the number of games, or can a final set be 17-15, for example?? A. The final sets in three of the four majors (Australian, French and Wimbledon, but not the US Open) are decided by “deuce sets,” which means that a player must win by at least two games. This also occurs in Davis and Fed Cup matches. I like this tradition. I also like the fact that in the US Open, tiebreakers can decide the final sets because it makes America’s Grand Slam unique. This practice does not occur in regular (ATP or WTA) Tour events. During these events, tiebreakers decide all sets that reach six games all. Q. When should you flip the game score card at mid court? Is there proper etiquette for this? And, if the score cards are black and red, then who is who? A.

Whichever player gets to the sideline first (on changeovers after odd games) ought to flip the score cards. This does not always occur, as usually the player who is losing is less inclined to switch the cards, because it announces the bad news to all spectators. Therefore, it seems like the player who is winning does all this “work.” It should be a cooperative effort though. As for who should be red and who should be black, it is merely a matter of choice. If you are playing for a team (high school, college, USTA League, etc.) make sure that the teams use the same color on every court though. Q. I hate the new scoring but my biggest beef is with the broadcasters for not showing more doubles on TV. Most recreational tennis players’ play doubles and we would LOVE to watch more at the Pro level. What better way to learn than to watch the pros do it! I'm convinced they'd have more viewers if they showed more doubles. A. That is a ‘chicken or the egg’ conundrum. If the networks chose to broadcast doubles more frequently, would it ever out-draw singles events?

In fact, ratings for ATP Tour singles tournaments are not exactly Super Bowl-like to begin with, so I can understand the reluctance from network executives to televise doubles matches with relatively unknown or obscure professional players. On your other point, I agree that players can always learn by watching matches. However, the brand of doubles that the Bryan Brothers play (tactics, strategy, and the quality of shotmaking) is vastly different than, say, 3.5-level mixed doubles. Given this, I am not sure that watching is more valuable, from a learning perspective, than taking a doubles clinic from a qualified local teaching professional. Q. I think the scoring in doubles should remain the same as the singles. In fact, I'll make the chicken-and-egg argument. By diminishing the doubles game the interest will continue to drop. The problem, as I see it, is fame. People are famous for their singles play, so people on the periphery of tennis relate to these singles players. This is a self-feeding loop. Seldom are there doubles teams that stay together. When there are, even with the poor promotion of doubles by tennis governing bodies, these teams gain some degree of fame and people want to see them.

So the questions are: what do the players want? (a good livelihood), what do the tennis governing bodies want? (more interest in the game), what do amateurs want? (lots of exciting matches, (singles and doubles), what do the fans want? (to see their heroes battling). Bottom line, the tennis governing bodies need to figure out how to promote doubles. Thanks for letting me vent. A. Thanks for venting, Tom. I will just address your first question/comment. The players DO earn a good livelihood, although I suppose that is a relative term. The concern that Tournament Directors have is that doubles players create far less value than do the singles players. There needs to be a legitimate return on investment for these tournaments to be profitable and stay in business. Q. I am dead set against the new scoring used in doubles. Doubles tennis is a great game to watch and (especially for us advancing year players) a great game to play. The change in scoring seems like an attempt to turn doubles into a poor second cousin of the singles game. Professional Tennis is missing a golden opportunity here.

Let’s face it, the singles game in tennis, while exciting at times, can be difficult to watch when you have two baseliners slugging it out for an entire match. Doubles isn't singles tennis with four people on the court at once. It is also most definitely not the refuge of players who cannot make it in the singles game. It needs to be sold as a different form of tennis, a different product. If the doubles game is marketed to the public in the right way it will not matter that the top single players aren't playing doubles. The doubles game will create its own stars. A. You offer some interesting points. I will take the role of devil’s advocate in responding to your thoughts. If doubles is not the refuge of players who cannot make it in the singles game, then why do so few of the top doubles players have comparatively excellent results in singles? Consider the teams who won the four majors this year: Kevin Ullyet & Wayne Black (Australian), Jonas Bjorkman & Max Mirnyi (Roland Garros), Stephen Huss & Wesley Moodie (Wimbledon), and Bob & Mike Bryan (US Open). Only one of these men is ranked among the top-50 singles players in the world.

How many of those teams could fill an arena WITHOUT an accompanying singles match? You bring up an interesting point about marketing the doubles game separately from singles. Would this work? Would a doubles-only event be financially viable? Evidence suggests that this would not be a successful venture, but I can assure you that there would be plenty of doubles-only players who would play in a tournament if the prize money were right. Q. This is not a question but a response to your request for people to write about their feelings concerning the changes in the doubles format. I am totally disappointed in the way doubles has been handled by all aspects of the game. The NCAA has reduced the role of doubles in college tennis. The Tennis Channel has largely ignored their opportunity to fill the doubles viewing void. Changes in professional tournament doubles also reflect an interest in focusing on singles. As more players play doubles than singles I have started to hope that doubles will split off into its own organization, league, sport, coverage and sponsors the way arena football split off from the NFL. My feeling is that if doubles was packaged where team personalities were highlighted then there would be more interest. Strategy discussions between players and between teams and coaches during the match could be broadcast. A. I will offer some counterpoints: 1.

I believe that the ITA (the governing body for NCAA tennis) has highlighted doubles, not reduced its role, by starting every dual match with doubles. 2. Strategy discussions take too long between points in doubles, and that- to me- is the biggest weakness that doubles has a viable entertainment option. Teammates on the pro tours convene between every single point. Unfortunately a great majority of their points are decided with an unreturnable serve, an unplayable return of serve, or a volley winner on the first “play from scrimmage.” Of course there are many brilliant and athletic points in doubles, but I would argue that more time is spent discussing strategy between points than actual play time. That is a problem for viewers. 3. A doubles-only circuit? Hmmmm… Q. While it seems a good idea to try and attract more attention to the doubles game, I don't think making an already short game a little shorter is the answer. The change in scoring makes the matches, and the level of respect afforded the players, seem diminished to me. A. How about keeping the scoring format the same but limiting draw sizes and scheduling doubles in a round-robin format each week on the ATP Tour?

That way the best teams would positively be around for at least three matches. Perhaps there could be eight teams each week divided into two groups of four, the way the Masters is scheduled at the end of the season. Six teams could be direct entries based on rankings, one team could be a wildcard (perhaps two singles stars), and one team would earn their way in by qualifying. A tournament promoter might prefer this format because they would know that, for example, the Bryan Brothers would be available for at least three matches each week. This gives fans and viewers the chance to become more accustomed to seeing these top teams perform more frequently. This format would eliminate the expenses that Tournament Directors resent having to incur on behalf of the “journeymen” doubles specialists and would allow them to maintain the programming benefits of doubles. Q. I’ve often wondered why the zero to 15, then 15 to 30 AND the biggie, the switch from the 15's to 40? I see the jump in 15-pt increments, but why the last jump from 30 to 40? I've asked this over and over and nobody seems to give me a straight answer. Is there a reason?

Why doesn't it go to 45, not 40? A tennis lover. A. Originally, the scoring was based on the hands of the clock. Thus, the 15-30-45-Game scoring that would seem logical. Over time, 40 became “slang” (or shortened) from 45. By the way, “love” is zero- which looks like an egg. French for “the egg” is “l’ouef,” and when this is Anglicized it became “love.” Q. My husband and I are arguing over a scoring question. I believe that the US Open is the only Grand Slam that uses a tiebreaker in the final set and he disagrees. He says it's the only Slam without the fifth set tiebreak. Please prove me right. A. You are right. The tiebreaker feels uniquely American to me because the US Open is the only of the four majors to allow for it in a decisive, final set. Is there anything in our sport that is more compelling than a fifth set tiebreaker? Certainly the recent Agassi-Blake match was as riveting as it gets.

I prefer that it ended in a dramatic tiebreaker at 1:00 AM with 23,000 screaming fans in attendance than an indefinite deuce set (14-12, anyone?). I hope that the US Open will always maintain this tradition of a tiebreaker at the end of every set. Frankly, I think that the matches are long enough, and the decisiveness of a tiebreaker is so dramatic that it adds considerable viewing value. Q. Do you think numeric scoring (1,2,3...) will ever be a replacement for the present system? Can you explain how and when the present scoring system was adopted? A. If Hall-of-Famer Billie Jean King had her way, the traditional method of scoring WOULD BE replaced. It is hard for me to imagine this, but it must have been difficult for many to fathom tie-breakers when they came on the scene in the early 1970’s. Change is good if it improves our sport. To my knowledge, the current scoring was based on the model of the clock (15, 30, 40- shortened from 45- and then game).

“Love” came from the French word for egg (l’oeuf), which looks like a zero. The Anglicized pronunciation became “love.” Q. A situation recently arose in league play at our club. Our player announced the game score "6-5" prior to serving the first point of the 12th game in an 8 game pro-set match. His opponent claimed the score was 5-6. They debated the issue for a couple of minutes and then our guy gave in and said "You can have it, let's just play." If both players are sure they are correct about the score, how do you proceed? A. In this situation, you need to revert back to the last score that is agreed upon and begin again from there. This is one reason why juniors are strongly encouraged to call out the score before each game. Q. How did the "No-Ad" scoring method get started? And who thought of it? A. Jimmy Van Alen, who Bud Collins refers to as the “Newport Bolshevik,” created the no-ad scoring method in an effort to shorten the length of long, boring matches.

I am sorry to say that he created this about thirty-five years ago, yet some people are still complaining about long, boring matches. Oh, well. The revolution continues. By the way, no-ad scoring is when you play to four points during a game. Typically, regular numbers (1, 2, 3, and 4) are used instead of our traditional (15, 30, 40, game) scoring. Thus, 40-15 is 3-1 in no-ad scoring. If/when the score reaches 3-3 in a particular game, then the next point decides who will win this game sudden-death style. In these instances, the receiver(s) decide(s) toward which side the server must serve. This no-ad scoring was used when I played college tennis, but is no longer typically used at the Division I level. In some tournaments, it is used to, for example, shorten the length of consolation matches. World Team Tennis still utilizes the no-ad scoring system during the professional season and it has the potential for creating a lot of “big point” moments during sets. Q. I am a teacher and I was teaching a group of my students how to play tennis last week.

We were wondering if you could tell us why zero is called “love” in tennis. A. A zero looks like an egg. To the French, the egg is “l’oeuf.” L’oeuf, when anglicized, sounds a little like “love.” Thus, “love” from “l’oeuf” which means “the egg” which looks like zero. I am NOT making this up! Now, try explaining to your students why you need to win a 12-point tiebreaker by two or more points when you’ve reached six games all in a set. Just kidding. Q. Does love mean zero? A. Yes, unfortunately love does mean zero. Don’t get me started… Whit's Tennis Tips doesn't work without your questions, so please send those tennis related questions you've always been trying to get answered to AskWhit . Knowledge Areas:

Question: What number of points come after 15 in a game of tennis?
Answer: 30