In men’s Grand Slam singles, a fifth set does not continue indefinitely. If the score reaches 6–6, the players settle the set with a 10-point tiebreak: the first to reach 10 points with a lead of at least two wins. That rule is the same at the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.
The fifth set still begins like any other set, with players trying to win six games by a margin of two. The tiebreak only comes into play at 6–6. Here’s how the scoring works, what players should expect, and how today’s rule differs from the long deciding sets tennis fans remember.
The current Grand Slam fifth-set rule
At all four Grand Slam tournaments, a men’s singles match uses a 10-point tiebreak if the fifth set reaches 6–6. A player must win by two points, so a tiebreak can finish 10–8, 11–9 or later. A score of 10–9 is not enough: play continues until one player has a two-point cushion.
The set score is recorded as 7–6. The tiebreak points decide who wins the set; they don’t become extra games in the match score.
| Fifth-set situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| A player reaches six games with a two-game lead | The set ends, such as 6–4. |
| The score reaches 6–6 | A 10-point tiebreak is played. |
| A player reaches 10 tiebreak points, but leads by only one | Play continues until a player leads by two. |
| A player wins the tiebreak by two points | The set is recorded as 7–6. |
How the 10-point tiebreak works
The tiebreak uses points rather than the usual “15, 30, 40” scoring. The first player to serve takes the opening point, serving from the deuce court. The other player then serves two points, followed by two points from the first server. They continue alternating two-point turns until the tiebreak ends.
Players change ends after every six points. For example, at 6–6 in the tiebreak, they switch ends. The change can matter late in a match: wind, sun or a noisy crowd may make one side of the court less comfortable than the other.
At 9–9, each point carries extra weight. A player who wins the next point reaches 10–9, but still needs one more point to close it out. The opponent can tie the score at 10–10, and the tiebreak carries on.
Who plays a fifth set at a Grand Slam?
The fifth-set rule applies to men’s singles, which is played as a best-of-five-set match at the Grand Slams. Women’s singles is best of three, so those matches can’t reach a fifth set.
Other events, including doubles, can use different match formats. If you’re watching a doubles match, check that tournament’s format rather than assuming the men’s singles rule applies.
Why the rule changed
For many years, the Grand Slams did not use the same deciding-set rule. Some matches could go on without a final-set tiebreak, while others used one after a particular score. That led to marathon finishes—and plenty of debate about player fatigue, scheduling and the effect on the next round.
The 2010 Wimbledon match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut became the clearest example of an advantage set stretching on. Isner won the fifth set 70–68 after a match that lasted 11 hours and five minutes across three days. The scoreboard became part of tennis history, but the finish also showed how long a match could run without a tiebreak.
Tournaments introduced different solutions over time. Wimbledon added a final-set tiebreak at 12–12 in 2019, while the Australian Open had already adopted a 10-point tiebreak at 6–6. In 2022, the Grand Slam tournaments aligned around a 10-point tiebreak at 6–6 in the deciding set. That gives players and fans one consistent rule at all four events.
What the rule means for players and fans
A 10-point tiebreak is longer than the usual seven-point tiebreak, but it still creates a clear finish. It also changes the tactical feel of the final moments. A player can’t rely on simply holding serve until a single point decides the set; they need to manage a sequence of pressure points.
- Serving matters: A strong first serve can earn a quick point, but a rushed second serve may give the opponent a chance to attack.
- Early points count: A mini-break—winning a point on the opponent’s serve—can build a useful lead before the tiebreak gets tight.
- Composure matters at 9–9: Reaching 10 first does not guarantee the set. The two-point margin keeps both players under pressure.
- End changes offer a reset: Players switch sides after every six points, giving them a moment to regroup and adjust to the conditions.
For fans, the practical takeaway is simple: at 6–6 in a men’s Grand Slam fifth set, don’t expect a 7-point tiebreak or an endless run of advantage games. Watch for the first player to reach 10, then check whether they have a two-point lead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Grand Slam fifth-set tiebreak first to 7 or first to 10?
It is first to 10, with a two-point lead required. A player can win 10–8, but not 10–9.
Do all four Grand Slams use the same fifth-set rule?
Yes. In men’s singles, all four use a 10-point tiebreak at 6–6 in the deciding fifth set.
Can a Grand Slam fifth set finish 6–6?
No. At 6–6, the players start the tiebreak. The winner takes the set 7–6.
Do women’s Grand Slam singles matches have a fifth set?
No. Women’s singles matches are best of three sets, so they can go to a third-set tiebreak but not a fifth set.
Final Thoughts
The Grand Slam fifth-set rule is now straightforward: in men’s singles, 6–6 brings on a 10-point tiebreak, and a player must win by two. It replaces the different deciding-set systems that once varied from tournament to tournament, while keeping the finish tense right down to the final points.
