Tennis is one of the most popular outdoor activities, as it offers a fun way to get your body and mind in shape. However, the scoring system can be confusing for newcomers if they haven’t learned it prior to picking up a racquet. This guide will familiarize you with how it works so that you can join a tennis league with confidence.

How to Win Points

The goal in this game is to hit the ball over the net in a way that your opponent is unable to return it. Both players start at zero, which is called “love.” If the ball bounces twice on the opposing player’s side, or they are unable to return it over the net within the court’s perimeter lines, you win the point. That makes the score 15 to love. As the game continues, the scoring goes from 15 to 30 to 40.

When a player reaches a score of 40, they are at “game point.” They’ll win the match with the next earned point as long as the other player has a score of 30 or below. Tied scores are designated as “all”, except when both players have three points. When the score is 40-40, it’s called “deuce.” When a match is at deuce, a player must win two consecutive points, or win by two, to claim victory.

How to Win a Match

The point system is used to decide a victor for a single game, but to win the entire match, you must win a certain number of sets. To win a set, the player has to win at least six games. 

However, much like a player must win by two to win the game, they also need to have a two-game advantage to win a set. In men’s professional tennis, a player would need to win three out of five sets to win a match. In women’s tennis, it’s generally two out of three. 

To learn more and hone your tennis skills, contact Beavercreek Clay Courts Tennis Club in Beavercreek, OH. The premier tennis clinic provides all of the lessons you need to master the game. You can also play in a fun or competitive league with fellow enthusiasts. Call (937) 956-8864 to speak to a representative, or visit our website online.