Doubles tennis games use the same basic scoring as singles, but four players share the court and the sidelines change during play. The main differences are the wider rally court, a set order for serving and receiving, and the teamwork needed to cover space without leaving an easy opening.
If you know how a singles game works, you already have most of the scoring down. The details that tend to cause confusion are who serves next, where receivers stand, and whether a shot landing in the doubles alley is in or out. Here’s how doubles tennis games work, point by point.
Doubles tennis court and basic rules
A doubles team has two players, and the opposing team has two. The doubles court is wider than a singles court because it includes the two side alleys. Those alleys count during rallies, so a ball that lands in an alley is in. The net and court length are the same as in singles.
Serving is different: a serve must land in the diagonally opposite service box, which does not include the side alley. If the serve lands outside that box, it is a fault. The server gets a second serve after a first-serve fault; two faults in a row cost the serving team the point.
After the serve is returned, players can hit the ball anywhere inside the full doubles court, including the alleys. Each team can let the ball bounce once before returning it, or hit it out of the air with a volley. As in singles, a team loses the point if the ball bounces twice, goes out, or is hit into the net without crossing.
How scoring works in a doubles game
Standard doubles uses the familiar tennis scoring sequence: love, 15, 30, 40, then game. The score is called with the serving team’s score first. For example, “30–15” means the serving team has 30 and the receiving team has 15.
At 40–40, called deuce, a team normally needs to win two points in a row. The first point gives that team advantage; winning the next point wins the game. If the team with advantage loses the next point, the score returns to deuce.
Some doubles matches use no-ad scoring to keep play moving. At 40–40, the next point decides the game. In doubles, the receiving team chooses which player will receive that deciding-point serve. Check the event or league rules before playing, since formats vary.
Serving order and receiving positions
Each player on a team takes a turn serving. The order is chosen at the start of a set and stays the same for that set. Once all four players have served one game, the rotation repeats.
For example, if the order is Player A, Player C, Player B, then Player D, those players serve in that sequence. When the set ends, a team can choose a different order for the next set. Keeping track of the order avoids the common mid-match mix-up of the wrong player serving.
At the start of each set, the receiving team chooses which partner will receive from the deuce court (the right side) and which will receive from the ad court (the left side). They keep those sides for the set. On each point, the receiver on the correct side takes the serve: the deuce-court receiver handles points from the deuce side, and the ad-court receiver takes points from the ad side.
The server alternates sides after every point, just as in singles. Partners can generally choose where to stand during a rally, but they must follow the correct serving and receiving order. Agreeing on positions before the match helps avoid confusion, especially when the score is close.
Sets, tiebreaks, and match formats
A set is usually won by the first team to reach six games with a lead of at least two. If the score reaches 6–6, many competitions use a tiebreak. A standard tiebreak is usually played to at least seven points, with a two-point lead required. Some formats use a match tiebreak to ten points instead of a deciding set.
Serving still rotates through the players in the established order during a tiebreak. Players also switch ends after every six points. The match may be best of three sets, but formats can differ by tournament, league, or club, so confirm whether a match tiebreak or no-ad scoring is in use before you start.
Doubles tactics that make the rules matter
Because the court is wider, doubles teams need to cover the alleys while protecting the middle. A common formation has one player serving from the baseline and the partner near the net, ready to intercept a short return. The net player can “poach” by moving across to volley a ball meant for their partner’s side. It works best when the team communicates and the move is not too predictable.
The middle can be a useful target. Two players may both hesitate over a ball between them, so calling “mine” or “yours” early can prevent a collision and give the team a clear plan. Before serving, partners can also agree on a signal or a simple plan: stay in place, poach, or cover the middle.
For instance, if the serving team’s net player plans to poach, the server can aim toward the receiver’s body or use a serve that pulls the return into the middle. The point is not to rush across every time. A well-timed move is more effective than leaving a wide-open alley on every serve.
Common doubles rules mistakes
- Playing the alley on a serve: The alley is out for the serve, even though it is in during the rally.
- Changing the receiving order mid-set: Keep the deuce- and ad-court receivers consistent until the set ends.
- Serving out of turn: Follow the agreed rotation. If a mistake is noticed, stop and apply the event’s rules rather than guessing.
- Assuming every match uses the same scoring: No-ad games and match tiebreaks are common variations, not universal rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a ball in the doubles alley in or out?
It is out if it lands in the alley on a serve. Once the serve has been returned, the alley is part of the court and a ball landing there is in.
Do doubles players have to stay on their own sides?
No. During rallies, partners can move around the court and cross sides. The key restrictions are following the correct serving and receiving order and serving from the correct position.
Can the receiving team change who receives during a set?
In standard scoring, each player stays assigned to the same receiving side for the set. The team can choose its arrangement again at the start of the next set. No-ad deciding-point rules may allow the receiving team to choose which partner takes that particular point.
How many points are needed to win a doubles game?
There is no fixed number because a game can continue at deuce. Under standard scoring, a team must win four points and lead by two; under no-ad scoring, the next point wins the game once the score reaches 40–40.
Final Thoughts
Doubles tennis games follow the familiar tennis scoring system, with a wider court in rallies and a required rotation for serving and receiving. Learn the team’s order, remember that the alley is out only on the serve, and agree on basic court coverage before play. Those small habits make the rules easier to follow—and give partners more room to focus on winning the next point.
