Love in Tennis: Meaning, Origin & Scoring Explained 2025

Tennis has a unique and sometimes confusing scoring system, and one of the most intriguing terms used is “love.” If you’ve ever heard a commentator say “15-love” or “40-love” and wondered what it means, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll explore the origin of “love” in tennis, its meaning, and how it fits into the overall scoring system.

Origin of “Love” in Tennis

The term “love in tennis” has long been a subject of debate. One popular theory suggests that it comes from the French word l’œuf, meaning “egg,” which represents the shape of a zero. Over time, this word evolved into “love” in English.

Another interpretation is that “love” signifies a player’s dedication to the game, even when they have no points. Essentially, a player who continues to compete despite having a score of zero does so for the “love of the game.”

The Meaning of Love in Tennis

In tennis, “love” refers to a score of zero. When a player has not yet won a point in a game, their score is called “love.”

For Example:

If Player A wins the first point while serving and Player B has not scored yet, the score is announced as “15-love.”

Here’s a quick breakdown of the scoring system in a single game:

• Love (0): No points
• 15: One point
• 30: Two points
• 40: Three points
• Deuce: When both players reach 40 points
• Ad In: When the server wins a point at deuce
• Ad Out: When the receiver wins a point at deuce

If a game starts at 0-0, it is sometimes referred to as “love-all.”

Source: The New York Daily News

Love in Tied Scores

When both players have the same score during a game, a different terminology is used. For most tied scores, the term “all” is applied. For example:

• 15-15 is called “15-all.”
• 30-30 is called “30-all.”

However, when both players reach 40 points, instead of calling it “40-all,” the term “deuce” is used. At deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to win the game.

From deuce, if one player wins the next point, they gain an advantage. If they win the following point, they win the game. However, if they lose the next point, the score returns to deuce, and the cycle continues until one player secures a two-point lead.

This system ensures that a game cannot be won by a single point when both players are tied at 40, making the end of close games particularly exciting and competitive.

Related Tennis Scoring Terms

Tennis scoring has other unique terms that are important to understand:

• Deuce: When both players reach 40 points, they must win two consecutive points to secure the game.
• Advantage In (Ad In): If the server wins a point at deuce, they have the advantage and need one more point to win the game.
• Advantage Out (Ad Out): If the receiver wins a point at deuce, they have the advantage.
• Game: A player wins a game by securing at least four points and leading by two points.

Conclusion

The term love in tennis simply represents a score of zero, and its origins are rooted in either French linguistics or the idea of playing for the love of the game. Understanding tennis scoring, including terms like deuce, ad in, and ad out, can help both new and experienced players navigate the game with confidence.

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