Tennis is a popular racket sport played between two players (singles) or two teams of two players each (doubles). While the basic premise is to hit the ball back and forth over the net and into the opponent’s court, the scoring system in tennis can seem complex to those new to the game. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of how sets and games work in tennis, from love to match point.
The Basics of Tennis Scoring
A tennis match is divided into sets. Most professional matches are the best of 3 or 5 sets, meaning a player/team must win 2 or 3 sets to win the match. Each set consists of games. The first player/team to win 6 games wins the set, provided they are ahead by at least 2 games. If the score reaches 6-5, the set continues until one player or team goes ahead by 2 games.
The winner of each game is the first to win 4 points.
The points are called “love” (0), 15, 30, 40, game. This odd numbering comes from the old French scoring system. If both sides are tied at 40-40, it is called “deuce.” To win the game after deuce, a player must go ahead by 2 points.
Number of Sets in Professional Tennis
For professional tennis tournaments and major championships like Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, men play best of 5 sets and women play best of 3 sets. The best of 5 format for men has been standard at top ATP tournaments and Grand Slams for decades. Women used to play best of 5 sets in major finals but switched exclusively to best of 3 in 2006.
Best of 3 set matches require winning 2 sets to clinch the match. For best of 5 matches, the magic winning number is 3 sets. The extra sets in men’s tennis makes it a supreme test of endurance and precision over a sustained period. Five-set marathons are part of tennis lore, from the famous 2008 Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to the 2012
Australian Open final lasting nearly 6 hours between Novak Djokovic and Nadal.
The reason for the different set numbers in men’s and women’s tennis has been debated, with some arguing it is an outdated gender bias. However, many stakeholders believe physical durability favours the best of 5 format for men. For instance, a comparison of longest matches shows men’s Grand Slam records exceeding women’s in duration, with the men’s record being over 11 hours compared to women at just over 6 hours.
| Tournament | Men’s Longest Match | Women’s Longest Match |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | 5 hr 53 min (2012) | 3 hr 24 min (2020) |
| French Open | 6 hr 33 min (2004) | 3 hr 2 min (2014) |
| Wimbledon | 11 hr 5 min (2010) | 3 hr 45 min (2019) |
| U.S. Open | 4 hr 54 min (1992) | 3 hr 14 min (2020) |
Sets in College and High School Tennis
For college tennis governed by the NCAA, all dual matches are best 2 out of 3 sets for men and women. In the NCAA tournament and championships, all matches revert to best of 3 sets for both genders. High school rules vary by state, but the USTA recommends best of 3 sets for boys and girls matches. Many states adopt this format, but some use specialty scoring systems like 8 game pro sets instead of 6 game sets.
The shorter match time works well for student athletes balancing tennis with academics. But players hoping to compete collegiately often get experience with best of 5 setters in national tournaments to prepare for potential college careers.
Sets in World TeamTennis
World TeamTennis (WTT) is a fun team competition featuring new rules and scoring. WTT introduced the no-ad scoring system, meaning games are decided at deuce by a single point rather than requiring a 2-point margin. Matches consist of 5 sets each featuring a different format: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Each set is won by the first team to reach 5 games. This innovative style condenses matches into a fast-paced, television-friendly format.
In summary, whether you are watching professionals slug it out in 5 sets at Wimbledon or recreational players competing in 3 short sets, understanding tennis scoring helps appreciate matches. Sets structure the ebb and flow of momentum. Players must exert strategy and mental fortitude to survive lulls and capitalise on hot streaks over variable set lengths. Mastering the peculiar language of love, deuce and match point is part of learning tennis’s lore.