Why is tennis scored 15, 30, 40?

Nobody knows for sure. A popular theory links it to a clock face with quarters at 15, 30 and 45, with 45 later shortened to 40. Whatever the origin, the names have stuck for centuries.

What does love mean in tennis?

Love means zero. "30-love" means the server has 30 (two points) and the receiver has none.

How does a tiebreak work?

At 6-6 in a set, players play a tiebreak counted 1, 2, 3 and so on. The first to seven points with a two-point lead wins the set 7-6. One player serves the first point, then players alternate serving two points each.

How Does Tennis Scoring Work?

3 video lessons

Love, 15, 30, 40, deuce and tiebreaks, explained simply.

Quick answer & tips ▾

Points make games, games make sets and sets make a match. In a game, the points are called love (zero), 15, 30 and 40, and the next point after 40 wins the game. If both players reach 40, it is deuce, and a player has to win two points in a row: the first gives them advantage, the second wins the game.

A set is won by the first player to six games with a lead of at least two. At 6-6, most sets are decided by a tiebreak, played to seven points and won by two. Most matches are best of three sets.

Key tips

The server's score is always called first.
Players switch ends after the first game and then every two games.
In a tiebreak, players change ends after every six points.
Some leagues use no-ad scoring or a 10-point tiebreak instead of a third set.

FAQ

Why is tennis scored 15, 30, 40?: Nobody knows for sure. A popular theory links it to a clock face with quarters at 15, 30 and 45, with 45 later shortened to 40. Whatever the origin, the names have stuck for centuries.
What does love mean in tennis?: Love means zero. "30-love" means the server has 30 (two points) and the receiver has none.
How does a tiebreak work?: At 6-6 in a set, players play a tiebreak counted 1, 2, 3 and so on. The first to seven points with a two-point lead wins the set 7-6. One player serves the first point, then players alternate serving two points each.