Tennis Scoring Rules

Each rally you win earns a point. Points have specific names in tennis rather than sequential numbers:

The server's score is always announced first. A score of "30–15" means the server has 30 and the receiver has 15.

When both players reach 40–40, the score is called Deuce. From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to win the game.

Sequence from Deuce

• Ad-In — the server holds the advantage
• Ad-Out — the returner holds the advantage

There is no limit to how many times a game can return to deuce.

Many USTA league formats — including most Adult and Mixed Doubles leagues — use No-Ad scoring as a time-saving alternative to traditional deuce.

• At 40–40, one deciding point is played (no advantage)
• In doubles, the receiving team chooses which player receives the deciding point
• First player to win that point wins the game — no deuce cycles

Games are grouped into sets. A player wins a set by winning 6 games with a lead of at least 2.

When a set reaches 6–6, a tiebreak game is played. The tiebreak winner takes the set 7–6. Points in a tiebreak are counted numerically (1, 2, 3…), not as 15/30/40.

How to Win a Tiebreak

• First player/team to reach 7 points, with a lead of at least 2 points
• If the score reaches 6–6 in the tiebreak, play continues until one side leads by 2

Service Order in a Tiebreak

• The player whose turn it is to serve starts the tiebreak and serves 1 point
• Service then alternates in blocks of 2 points for the rest of the tiebreak
• Players change ends every 6 points (and at the end if a final set tiebreak reaches 6–6)
• In doubles, service rotation follows the same order established for the set

After the Tiebreak

The player/team that served first in the tiebreak receives serve at the start of the next set.

Many USTA league formats replace the third set with a match tiebreak (also called a super tiebreak or 10-point tiebreak). This is played the same way as a regular tiebreak, but first to 10 points (with a 2-point lead) wins the match.

• Used in place of a full third set in most USTA Adult and Mixed Doubles formats
• Service rotation follows the same rules as a regular tiebreak
• Score the match as: 6–4, 3–6, [10–7] (bracket indicates the match tiebreak)

The server is responsible for calling the score before each point, loud enough for both players (and the opposing team in doubles) to hear. The set score should be called first, then the game score.

Example: "3–2, 30–15" (server leads the set 3–2; server leads the game 30–15)

Doubles

In doubles, either partner may call the score, but the server traditionally does so. If a player disagrees with the score, stop play and resolve it immediately — do not wait until the game is over.

• A ball is in if any part of it touches the line
• Line calls are the responsibility of the player on whose side the ball lands
• When in doubt — the ball is in. Give your opponent the benefit of the doubt
• Out calls must be made promptly — a delayed call may be considered in
• A player may not call a ball out on their opponent's side of the net

Lets

• A let on serve means the serve must be replayed — no point is awarded
• A let is called when the served ball clips the net cord and lands in the correct service box
• There is no limit to the number of lets on a single serve

• The server has two attempts per point (first serve and second serve)
• A fault occurs when the serve lands outside the service box, hits the net without clearing it, or the server foot-faults
• Two consecutive faults = a double fault, and the point goes to the receiver
• Service alternates games between players (or pairs in doubles)
• At the start of each new set, the player/team that did not serve first in the previous set serves first

Foot Fault

A foot fault occurs when the server touches the baseline or the court inside the baseline before striking the ball, or steps on or across the center mark. It counts as a fault.

• The doubles sidelines (alleys) are in play — the court is wider than for singles
• Teams agree on a service order at the start of each set; the order must remain consistent throughout the set
• Partners alternate receiving service in each game — the receiver stays on the same side for the entire set
• Either partner may hit any ball during a rally — there is no rule requiring each player to hit alternating shots
• Only one partner needs to call a ball out — but both must agree; if one calls it in and one out, the ball is in

USTA rules provide for a 5-minute warm-up on court before the match begins.

• The warm-up is not part of the match — it is for hitting practice, not practicing serves competitively
• Each player should be allowed equal warm-up time
• If a player arrives late, they forfeit warm-up time — the match starts on schedule