Tennis scoring looks baffling until someone explains it plainly. Here is that explanation. Once it clicks, it never un-clicks.
The building block: points
Within a game, points are counted with tennis's odd historical names:
- 0 points = "love"
- 1 point = 15
- 2 points = 30
- 3 points = 40
- Win the next point (when ahead) = you win the game
Deuce and advantage
If both players reach 40 (i.e., 40–40), that is "deuce." From deuce, you must win two points in a row to take the game. Win one point from deuce and you have the "advantage"; win the next and the game is yours. Lose it and it goes back to deuce. This is why some games seem to go forever.
Games make sets
- Win 6 games (and by at least 2) and you win the set.
- If a set reaches 6–6, it is usually decided by a tiebreak — first to 7 points (win by 2). In a tiebreak you will see scores like "7–6(11–9)," which means the tiebreak itself ended 11–9. (That is exactly how Eala won the first set against Świątek at Wimbledon.)
Sets make the match
- Women's matches are best of 3 sets — first to win 2 sets wins.
- Men's Grand Slam matches are best of 5 sets.
Reading a scoreline
So when you see "Eala def. Świątek 7-6(11-9), 6-2," you now know: Eala won the first set in a tight tiebreak (11–9), then won the second set comfortably 6 games to 2, and because she won two sets, she won the match.
That is 95% of what you need. The rest — lets, faults, challenges — you will pick up naturally. Now go watch a match and follow every point.
