A doubles match follows the same basic scoring system as singles, but four players share the court and the sidelines are wider. The extra space changes where players stand, how teams cover the net and baseline, and how partners plan their serves and returns.
Most matches are played as best of three sets, though the exact format depends on the event. Recreational leagues and professional tournaments may use no-ad scoring or a 10-point match tiebreak instead of a full deciding set, so it is worth checking the rules before play.
How a Doubles Match Is Scored
Doubles uses the familiar tennis scoring sequence: love, 15, 30, 40, and game. A team normally needs to win at least six games by a margin of two to take a set. At 6–6, a tiebreak is usually played. Most standard tiebreaks go to seven points, with a two-point lead required.
Matches are commonly best of three sets: the first team to win two sets wins the match. In many doubles formats, if the teams split the first two sets, they play a 10-point match tiebreak instead of a full third set. The team that reaches 10 points first with a two-point lead wins. Tournament rules vary, so a match tiebreak is not automatic in every event.
| Part of the match | Common format |
|---|---|
| Games in a set | First to six games, by two |
| Set tiebreak | Usually first to seven points, by two, at 6–6 |
| Match length | Often best of three sets |
| Deciding set alternative | A 10-point match tiebreak is common in doubles |
Standard Scoring and No-Ad Scoring
With traditional scoring, a team must win a game by two points. At 40–40, called deuce, one team has to win two points in a row: the first gives it advantage, and the second wins the game. If the other team wins the next point, the score returns to deuce.
No-ad scoring shortens the game. At deuce, the next point decides it, with no advantage point first. In doubles, the receiving team’s event rules determine who receives that deciding point and from which side. No-ad is popular in leagues and shorter match formats because it keeps matches moving, but it is not used everywhere.
The Doubles Court and Serving Rules
The doubles court is wider than the singles court. The extra space is the doubles alley on each side. During a serve, however, the ball must land in the correct diagonal service box, just as in singles; the alleys do not count as part of the service box. Once the serve is returned, the full doubles court—including both alleys—is in play.
The server stands behind the baseline and serves diagonally into the opposite service box. Each team gets two serve attempts. If both are faults, the serving team loses the point. A let serve that clips the net and lands in the correct box is replayed.
Both partners can stand anywhere on their side of the net during a rally. One player often begins near the net while the other serves or returns from the baseline, but teams can change their positions to suit their tactics. A partner at the net can put away a weak return, while the baseline player covers deep shots and lobs.
Serving and Receiving Order
At the start of each set, each team chooses which partner serves first. The two partners then take turns serving their team’s games throughout that set. For example, if Jordan serves the first game for one team, their partner Casey serves that team’s next service game.
The receiving team also sets an order. One partner receives serves from the deuce court—the receiver’s right side—and the other receives from the ad court, or left side. They keep those receiving sides for the set, then may choose a new arrangement at the start of the next set. This makes partner communication important: each player needs to know which ball is theirs, especially on a fast serve down the middle.
In a set tiebreak, the regular service order still matters. The player due to serve next starts the tiebreak with one point; the other team then serves two points, and the players continue in the prescribed order. The server changes ends after every six points in a standard tiebreak. A match tiebreak generally uses the same service rotation, but check the event’s instructions if anything is unclear.
How Doubles Tactics Affect the Format
Because there are two players on each side, doubles points often develop differently from singles rallies. Teams may use “one up, one back,” with one partner at the net and one at the baseline, or both players may move forward together after a strong serve or return. Two players at the net can put pressure on opponents, but they also leave space behind them for a lob.
Serving teams often use the serve to create an easier next shot for the partner at the net. A serve aimed at the body, for example, can jam the returner and make a clean return harder. On the return, a low shot at the net player’s feet can be more useful than trying for a winner. Doubles rewards clear calls such as “mine,” “yours,” or “switch”—especially when both partners can reach a ball in the middle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is doubles scoring different from singles scoring?
The basic points, games, and sets are the same. The main difference is that doubles matches may use no-ad games or a 10-point match tiebreak, depending on the competition.
Do the doubles alleys count during a serve?
No. A serve must land in the diagonally opposite service box, which does not include the alley. After the serve is returned, the alleys are part of the court.
How many sets do you need to win a doubles match?
Many matches are best of three sets, so a team needs two sets to win. If the teams split the first two sets, some formats use a 10-point match tiebreak instead of a full third set.
Can doubles partners change who serves or receives during a set?
Serving and receiving positions follow the order chosen at the start of the set. Partners can usually choose new positions at the start of the next set, but should follow the competition’s rules for any special scoring situation.
Final Thoughts
The tennis doubles match format is easy to follow once you know the scoring, serving order, and wider-court rules. Before you play, confirm whether the match uses advantage or no-ad scoring and whether a deciding set is replaced by a 10-point tiebreak. Then agree with your partner on serving order, receiving sides, and who covers the middle.
