Bagel in Tennis: Easy Meaning & Notable Records 2025
If you’ve ever heard the term “bagel” in tennis, you might be wondering what breakfast has to do with the sport. A bagel in tennis refers to a 6-0 set score, symbolizing the round shape of a zero—just like an actual bagel. It’s a dominant performance where one player doesn’t allow their opponent to win a single game in a set.
How the Bagel Got Its Name?
The term “bagel” comes from the number zero resembling the shape of a bagel. When a player wins a set 6-0, they’ve “bagelled” their opponent.
Double Bagel: If they win two consecutive 6-0 sets, it’s called a double bagel (6-0, 6-0), a rare but humiliating loss.
Triple Bagel: A triple bagel happens when a player wins all three sets in a best-of-five match (6-0, 6-0, 6-0), an extreme show of dominance.
What is a Golden Set and Golden Match?
A golden set is an even rarer feat. This happens when a player wins a set without conceding a single point—meaning they score all 24 points needed to win a set 6-0. Taking it a step further, a golden match means winning an entire match without dropping a single point.
Golden Set
Bill Scanlon famously achieved a golden set in 1983, while Yaroslava Shvedova pulled off the same miracle at Wimbledon in 2012. Such moments remind us why tennis is as thrilling as it is unpredictable.
Bagel Records in Grand Slam History
| Player | Bagels Served in Grand Slams |
|---|---|
| Andre Agassi | 50 |
| Rafael Nadal | 44 |
| Novak Djokovic | 43 |
| Iga Swiatek | 29 (as of January 2025) |
Agassi holds the record for most bagels in Grand Slam history, while Swiatek has been particularly dominant in recent years, making her one of the most feared players on tour.
Surface Disparity: Where Bagels Happen Most
Some surfaces see more bagels than others. Here’s a breakdown of bagels recorded in Grand Slam tournaments from 2000 to 2016:
| Surface | Grand Slam Tournament | Total Bagels |
| Grass | Wimbledon | 127 |
| Clay | French Open | 267 |
| Hard | US Open | 275 |
| Hard | Australian Open | 238 |
Clay courts, like those at the French Open, tend to see the most bagels because long rallies and grinding playstyles wear down opponents.
Related Terms
- Breadsticks – A term used when a set ends with a 6-1 score, as the number one resembles a breadstick.
Conclusion
A bagel in tennis is more than just a scoreline—it’s a statement. It shows complete dominance by one player and is a nightmare for the one on the receiving end. Whether it’s Agassi’s historic record or Swiatek’s rising dominance, bagels remain an iconic part of the Tennis sport’s history.
FAQs
What does bagel mean in tennis?
A bagel in tennis refers to a 6-0 set score, where one player wins every game in that set.
Who has the most bagels in Grand Slam history?
Andre Agassi holds the record with 50 bagels, followed by Rafael Nadal (44) and Novak Djokovic (43).
What is a golden set in tennis?
A golden set is when a player wins a set without conceding a single point, meaning they win all 24 points required for a 6-0 score.
Which surface has the most bagels?
Hard courts at the US Open (275) and clay courts at the French Open (267) have seen the most bagels in Grand Slam history.
What is Double Bagel?
When a player wins two consecutive 6-0 sets (6-0, 6-0).
What is Triple Bagel?
When a player wins all three sets in a best-of-five match (6-0, 6-0, 6-0).
