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Tennis is a great sport where the main focus is on one to one competition. It is a game which has been around for thousands of years, thought to have been started by monks as a way to amuse themselves during religious rituals. Tennis matches consist of sets, and each set consists of games.

The first point won in a tennis game is 15, the second 30 and the third is 40. Usually the next point after 40 is game point. If one player gets to 40 without the other player reaching 40, then the player with 40 only needs one more point to win. However, if both players reach 40 before either one reaches the game point, that 40-40 score is called deuce. Once deuce is reached, then one of the players has to get the next two points to win the game. If the player who is serving gets the next point, it is called ad in (for advantage), but if the opposing player gets the next point after deuce, it is called ad out. Once one of the players has won two straight points then that's the game. However If a player goes from deuce to ad, and then loses the next point, the score goes back to deuce again. Because of deuce and ad points, it's quite possible that one game can last quite a long time, with players trading deuce and ad points many times. Once players start winning games, they start moving towards winning sets.

In order to win a set, a player must win at least 6 games. This can be 6-0, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 or 6-4. If the opponent gets to 5-5, then someone must win by two games at 7-5. If someone is leading 6-5, then they have to win the next game to win 7-5. However, if they get to 6-6, then they have to play a tie-breaker. In the tie-breaker, the first player to win 7 games, and who wins by two games in the tie-breaker wins the tie-breaker, and the set 7-6. The tie-breaker is then recorded next to the final set score. For example, if a player wins the tie-breaker 7-3, the final set score is recorded as 7-6(7-3).

During a tennis game, using the scoring above, the server usually says the score as the points go along, saying the servers score first. For example: If the server wins the first point, then he/she gives the score as 15-0. If he/she wins the second point, the score is 30-0. Then on the third point, if the opponent wins the point, the server would say 30-15. The server continues to give the score this way the entire time they are serving. As the players take turns serving, they also switch sides on the court. This is particularly important when playing outside so that one player does not have the advantage when it comes to windy conditions, or looking into the sun when serving. Players switch ends at the end of the odd numbered games (after 1 game, 3 games, etc.). They also switch after they have played six games if they are playing a tie-breaker.

In high school, college and some professional tournaments, in order to win a match a player must win 2 out of 3 sets. Some professional tournaments, particularly in men's There are occasions when only an 8 game pro set is played. This sometimes is seen in professional doubles matches and in high school and college matches. In these cases, someone has to win 8 games, and win by 2 to win the set. If by some chance, they make it to 8-8; they keep going until someone wins by 2 games. I hope that you find this article helpful to your understanding of tennis scoring.

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