How To Keep Score In Tennis | Simply Explained

Why do people always look at the tennis court on the scoring board with a confused face, but in reality, when you come to know how to keep score in tennis, you always enjoy the game? It is super easy to understand how to keep score in tennis for beginners.

When two players or two teams start playing, both start with the ‘love’ score; love means zero. When a player scores first, it means he has achieved 15 scores; when you get 2 points, it means he scored 30; at the next turn, his score is 40; and at the last turn, he won the game.  

How To Keep Score In Tennis

In this way, the player strives hard in a rectangular-shaped court. There are multiple options for the players; they can play a single match by playing solo. Also, they can fight alongside their partner against two players in the double match. Moreover, you can create a team of six people to play against the next six. It makes the game more twisting and interesting for the audience. 

So, let’s get a scoop on the gameplay; it will help you imagine a picture of what is happening on the tennis court.

Gameplay of Tennis-How To Play Tennis

Let’s understand how tennis is played. Each game, either indoor or outdoor, has its gameplay and rules. It gives you the right knowledge and a better understanding of the essence of a game. 

In a tennis game, you and your opponent have to use a stringed racquet to hit the ball; also, you have been separated by a long horizontal strap of the net

As we mentioned earlier, a player aims for points to win a game, then has to win six games consecutively to achieve a set, and further, you need to make 2 to 3 sets to win the match. 

To keep a score in tennis, each player or team can only bounce the ball once after their opponent hits it. They must return the ball over the net and keep it within the court boundaries. In case the opponent loses a ball hit, you will win a score. 

Starting a Tennis Game

Initializing the tennis game by flipping a coin or spinning a racket to win the toss, and one who wins the toss will decide on a few things.

Starting a Tennis Game
  1. Who will serve first, and who will receive first?
  2. From which side the toss winner will start playing?
  3. The one who will start serving first will continue this rule until the end of the game, and the next game will be served first by an opponent.
  4. You can stand on the right side of the court, the central mark of the court, and between the singles sideline in your area and then will start serving from the baseline.

Keeping Score in Tennis-How To Keep Score in Tennis

Follow these few rules while keeping score in tennis:

  • Here is a unique rule: when you start serving, you have to announce your score. Let’s suppose you are starting with zero, and your opponent has scored 40, then you will say “love-40.”
  • Life gives you only one chance to achieve a gold opportunity, but tennis gives you twice; when you start serving, you have two chances, which means if your ball does cross the net and reaches the opponent by bouncing once, then you will get a second chance to show your skill. But if you lose a second chance, then you will lose a score. 
  • When the ball crosses the net and drops in the service box, your serve will not be counted in tennis language it is called a “let.”
  • If you and your opponent serve the ball back and forth, and one hits the ball towards the net, and the ball goes out of the boundaries, or the receiver misses a hit, then the opponent will win a point or vice versa. 
  • There is a situation if you and your opponent both are on 40 scores; we all know it’s a deuce. To break this draw, you need to win two times in a row if you win, then you will say  “my ad,” which means you are saying “my advantage.” 

The Tennis Points-Tennis Scoring System 

Tennis Points Scoring System

(complete structure)

Tennis has a unique point system in the world of sports.

Here’s a simplified breakdown of tennis scoring:

  • Love means 0 points.
  • Getting 1 point is like having 15.
  • 2 points is like having 30.
  • 3 points means you’re at 40.
  • When the score is tied, it’s called “All”.
  • If it’s 40-40, that’s called “Deuce.”
  • If the server wins a Deuce point, it’s “Ad-In.”
  • If the receiver wins a Deuce point, it’s “Ad-Out.”

What Is A Deuce In Tennis?

In simple words, for a better understanding of tennis newbie, at that unique moment when you and your opponent both score 40-40 in tennis terms, we say it is a deuce. But in other ways, we call it drawing!! Anyways, when you both reach the deuce, you or your team needs to make two points consecutively to turn the table and win the glory.

Also, in another case, if one player or team is a server and wins, then it’s called Ad-In, and if he or his team loses the deuce point, then it is called Ad-Out.

What is deuce in Tennis?

Scoring a Set

As we mentioned earlier, to start a new game, the serve has to speak up about the status of the set in the language. For instance, if you are serving, you will mention your score and your opponent just like this: ‘(zero-15)’. You already know that a set is complete by winning six games. But if both of the players make a deuce by winning six games, then the game initializes the tiebreaker to pick a winner. 

Scoring the Tennis Match

The final step to achieving the glory is to win the match. You have to win two sets out of three sets so that you can win a tennis match. This rule is similar to other sports, such as if you win two first sets definitely, you are a winner, but if it your bad that you win one set and lose the second one, then you have to play the final set to achieve the winner’s title. 

Shaking Hands

After concluding the match, it is important to follow tennis etiquette by shaking hands with your tennis opponent. To create a healthy sportsmanship between the two. 

Tips To Keep A Score In Tennis

In this section, we will discuss a few helpful tips regarding scoring in Tennis

  • First of all, when you start playing the game before serving or receiving, always discuss the scoring rules with your opponent. Sometimes, your tennis partner does not agree to play with stand scoring, and there are some tennis players who don’t prefer call-out scores before each point and much more.
  • When you are playing casually just for fun or body warm-up, then you don’t want to keep score or play match. 
  • Last but not least, If you can’t remember the score during a game, check the serving side. If the score ends with “all,” it’s on the right side.

Wrap up!

To conclude, whether you are a newbie who doesn’t know a single rule of tennis, a casual tennis player who wants to clear his concept, or an audience, knowing how to keep score in tennis always helps you enjoy the game. 

All these scoring techniques are from experts and real tennis games, but still, if you are facing any difficulty in playing tennis by following the rules and tennis scoring system, just keep learning and practicing. Just remember, your skill level matters more than knowing how to keep the score; as you get mature in the game, these things are learned by default. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can we count points in tennis?

There is a unique way to count points that we have to follow To win a game. For instance, we don’t count points like 1,2,3, but in tennis, we will count zero as love and 1st point will be 15, then the second will be 30, and the fourth will be 40. And if the game ties, it will be deuce.

How can we win a set in tennis?

To win a set in tennis, you have to play and win six games.

Why is 0 called love in tennis?

Here is a brief history behind why we say love instead of 0 score in tennis. Because zero resembles an egg, and in the French language, we say ‘l’oeuf’ to an egg. Instead of Saying such difficult pronunciation, this word was replaced by ‘love’ in English.

What comes after Deuce?

After deuce in simple words, tie or draw, we play to use ‘Advantage’ or ‘Ad.’ if the serve makes a deuce point, then it’s called “Ad In,” or if it loses, we say ‘Ad Out.’

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