Tennis Rules Explained: Scoring and Match Play

Tennis is played by hitting a ball over a net and into the opponent’s court. A player wins a point when the opponent fails to return the ball legally, hits it outside the court, or commits a fault. Matches are divided into points, games, sets and, usually, a best-of-three or best-of-five match format.

How tennis scoring works

The standard scoring sequence within a game is love, 15, 30 and 40. “Love” means zero. The first player to win four points wins the game, but they must lead by two points unless a deciding-point format is being used.

Love: zero points.
15: one point won.
30: two points won.
40: three points won.
Game: the next point after 40, provided the player has a two-point advantage.

At 40-40, the score is called deuce. A player must then win two consecutive points: the first gives them advantage, and the next wins the game. If the player with advantage loses the following point, the score returns to deuce.

A set normally goes to the first player to win six games with a lead of at least two games. At 6-6, most competitions use a tiebreak to decide the set. Match formats vary: many professional matches are best of three sets, while some men’s Grand Slam singles matches use best of five.

The rules for serving

Every point starts with a serve. The server stands behind the baseline and between the center mark and the singles sideline. The serve must travel diagonally into the opponent’s service box. Players alternate between the right and left sides of the court after each point.

A server has two attempts. Missing the correct service box, hitting the net without the ball landing in the service box, or stepping on or beyond the baseline before striking the ball is a fault. Two faults in the same point result in a double fault, which gives the receiver the point.

If a serve touches the net and still lands in the correct service box, it is normally a let. The serve is replayed and does not count as a fault. The receiver must be ready before play begins; a serve made while the receiver is not ready is generally replayed.

Ball-in-play rules

After a legal serve, players must return the ball before it bounces twice on their side. The ball is still in play if it touches a line, because court lines are considered part of the area they define. A shot that lands outside the relevant boundary loses the point.

A player may hit the ball before it bounces, known as a volley, except when returning the serve. The receiver must allow the serve to bounce before returning it. The ball may touch the net during a rally and remain in play if it lands inside the opponent’s court.

A player loses the point if they:

Fail to return the ball before a second bounce.
Hit the ball outside the court or into the net.
Touch the net, net posts or opponent’s court while the ball is in play.
Deliberately carry or catch the ball on the racket.
Hit the ball twice during one stroke, unless the racket makes two contacts in a single continuous swing.
Allow the ball to touch their body or clothing.

Tiebreak rules explained

In a standard seven-point tiebreak, the first player to reach seven points with a lead of two wins the tiebreak and the set. If the score reaches 6-6 in the tiebreak, play continues until one player leads by two points.

The player whose turn it is to serve starts with one serve from the right side. The players then alternate serving two points at a time, beginning from the left side and changing sides after every six points. The set is recorded as 7-6, with the tiebreak score often shown in parentheses.

Some competitions use a match tiebreak instead of a final set. This is commonly played to ten points, again requiring a two-point lead, but the exact format is set by the event regulations.

Singles and doubles court rules

Singles matches use the narrower singles court. Doubles matches use the wider court, including the doubles alleys. The net height is the same, but the serving and receiving order must follow the team’s declared rotation.

In doubles, one player serves for an entire game, then the opposing team serves for the next game. Partners must keep the correct serving order throughout the set. The receiving team also establishes which partner receives from each side, and that arrangement normally remains in place for the set.

In some doubles formats, including no-ad scoring, the game may be decided by a single point after deuce. The receiving team chooses the side from which that deciding point is played. Rules can differ between tournaments, so players should check the event’s regulations.

Changing ends, time limits and conduct

Players change ends after the first game, then after every odd-numbered game during a set. In a tiebreak, they change ends after every six points. A short break is allowed during changeovers, while longer rest periods may be permitted between sets under competition rules.

Players are expected to make a reasonable effort, avoid intentional delays and respect officials and opponents. Verbal abuse, racket abuse, audible obscenities, unsportsmanlike conduct and coaching violations can lead to warnings, point penalties, game penalties or disqualification.

Professional tournaments may also use electronic line calling, video review or a shot-clock system. These procedures affect how decisions are made but do not change the basic rules for scoring, serving and winning points.

Common tennis rules questions

Can the ball touch the line?

Yes. A ball touching a boundary line is considered in. The line belongs to the court area it marks.

Can a player touch the net?

Not while the ball is in play. Touching the net, its supports or the opponent’s court can cost the player the point.

What happens if the score reaches 6-6?

Most sets use a tiebreak at 6-6, but the exact rule depends on the competition. Some formats require a player to win two clear games instead.

How many serves does a player get?

The server gets two attempts for each point. A second failed attempt is a double fault and awards the point to the receiver.