A tennis scoreboard can look almost backward the first time you see it: the points go 15, 30, 40, then—sometimes—back to deuce. A scorecard adds another layer, with a row of set scores and possibly a tiebreak score in parentheses. Once you know what each line represents, you can follow the match without guessing who is ahead.
Start with the match score
A tennis match is made up of sets, and each set is made up of games. Players win points to win a game, games to win a set, and usually two sets (or three in some men’s matches) to win the match.
A scorecard often puts the players’ names in separate rows and lists each set’s score alongside them. For example:
| Player | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player A | 6 | 3 | 7 |
| Player B | 4 | 6 | 6 |
Player A won the match, 6–4, 3–6, 7–6. The first two sets were split, and Player A took the deciding set in a tiebreak. The player with more games in a set wins it, but a set usually needs to be won by two games. That is why a close set can continue beyond 6–5.
How points become games
Within a game, the point scores are called love, 15, 30, 40, then game point. “Love” means zero. A player needs four points and a lead of at least two to win the game.
- 15–0: The first player has won one point; the other has none.
- 30–15: The first player has won two points, the second one.
- 40–30: The first player is one point from winning the game, but the game is not over.
If both players reach 40, the score is deuce. A player must win two points in a row from deuce: the first earns advantage, and the next wins the game. If the player with advantage loses the next point, the score returns to deuce.
In a traditional score call, the server’s points are stated first. So “30–15” means the server has won two points and the receiver one. On a printed or electronic scorecard, though, check the player names or row labels rather than relying on the order of two numbers.
Reading the game-by-game score
When a game ends, its points disappear from the current score and the game total changes. A scoreboard might show 4–3 during a set: one player has won four games, the other three. It does not mean the players have scored four and three points in the current game.
Scorecards may show only the final number of games in each set, or they may list every game in order. In a game-by-game record, a sequence such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 can show which player won each game, depending on the card’s key or layout. Because there is no single universal paper scorecard format, look for a legend, shaded cells, or a server indicator before interpreting symbols.
What tiebreak numbers mean
At 6–6, many sets are decided by a tiebreak. Players count tiebreak points using ordinary numbers—1, 2, 3—not love, 15, 30 and 40. In a standard seven-point tiebreak, the first player to reach seven points with a two-point lead wins it. If the score reaches 6–6, play continues until someone leads by two.
A set score such as 7–6(4) usually means the set winner won the tiebreak 7–4. The number in parentheses commonly gives the loser’s tiebreak points, though scorecard conventions can vary. The set score itself tells you who won the set; the parenthetical figure adds detail about the tiebreak.
Some deciding sets use a match tiebreak instead of a full set. It is often played to 10 points, with a two-point margin. A result might appear as 6–4, 3–6, 10–8 or with the match-tiebreak score in square brackets: 6–4, 3–6, [10–8]. Check the event’s format, since the final-set rules differ among competitions.
Read a full scoreline from left to right
Take 6–4, 3–6, 7–6(5). The first player won the opening set 6–4. The opponent won the second 6–3. The first player then won the third set 7–6, taking the tiebreak 7–5 under the usual parenthetical convention. The first player therefore won the match in three sets.
That scoreline doesn’t tell you how close every game was, who served first, or how many break points either player saved. It gives the set result and, where noted, the tiebreak detail. A more detailed match card may include statistics such as aces, double faults, first-serve percentage, and break points. These are extra match information, not part of the score itself.
Quick checks when a score looks confusing
- Separate points from games. A 40–30 score is the current game; 4–3 is the set’s game total.
- Find the player labels. A displayed score may list players in a fixed order, while the spoken call usually gives the server’s score first.
- Look for the tiebreak notation. Parentheses or brackets often explain the tiebreak or identify a match tiebreak.
- Check the match format. A tournament may use a deciding-set tiebreak, a match tiebreak, or a different format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does tennis use 15, 30 and 40?
The scoring terms come from tennis tradition, and their exact historical origin is uncertain. For following a match, the key is simply that 15 is one point, 30 is two, and 40 is three. A player still needs to win by two points once the game reaches deuce.
Does the first number in a score always belong to the server?
In the traditional spoken score call, yes: the server’s score is usually announced first. On a scorecard or screen, numbers may instead follow the player rows or a fixed display order. Use the names and labels to confirm.
What does 7–6(5) mean?
It indicates a set won 7–6, with a tiebreak. Under the common notation, the winner took the tiebreak 7–5, and the number in parentheses is the loser’s total. Check the scorecard’s conventions if they are provided.
What does “ret.” or “RET” mean on a result?
It means a player retired and could not continue, often because of injury or illness. The listed score shows how far the match had progressed when play stopped; it does not mean the match was completed normally.
Final Thoughts
Read a tennis scorecard in layers: first identify the players and set scores, then check the current game or point score, and finally look for tiebreak details. Remember that points, games and sets are separate counts. With that distinction in mind, even a scoreline full of parentheses becomes much easier to follow.
