Tennis scoring confuses newcomers more than any other part of the sport — and its quirks are part of its charm.
Points, games, sets
- Points run 15, 30, 40, game — with deuce and advantage at 40–40.
- A set goes to the first player to six games with a two-game margin.
- At six games all, most tournaments now play a tiebreak to decide the set.
- Matches are best of three sets (five in men's Grand Slam singles).
Why the system endures
The structure creates constant mini-climaxes: every game is a contest, every set a chapter. Momentum can flip within minutes, which is why tennis produces so many famous comebacks.