Tennis Scorer and Scoring Explained (with Padel Golden Point)
Contents
How tennis scoring works
| Unit | How it’s won |
|---|---|
| Point | 0 (“love”), 15, 30, 40 |
| Game | Win the point after 40. At 40–40 (deuce), win two points in a row (advantage, then game) |
| Set | First to 6 games with a two-game lead. At 6–6, play a tie-break |
| Tie-break | First to 7 points with a two-point lead |
| Match | Best of 3 sets (or best of 5 in some men’s events) |
Padel differences
Padel uses the same structure. Under the FIP rules it can also use:
- Golden point: at 40–40, one deciding point. The receiving pair picks the side.
- Star point: advantage is played until a third deuce, then one deciding point.
Full details in our padel rules guide. Pickleball scores differently. See padel vs pickleball.
For coaches: switch on golden point for group sessions. Games stay short, so pairs rotate faster, and every deuce becomes a pressure-point drill.
Frequently asked questions
Why does tennis scoring go 15, 30, 40?
Nobody knows for certain. The most common explanations involve clock-face scoring in medieval France, but there’s no confirmed origin.
What is a tie-break in tennis?
At 6–6 in a set, players play a tie-break: first to 7 points with a two-point lead wins the set 7–6.
Is padel scoring the same as tennis?
Yes, with additional FIP options at deuce: golden point (one deciding point, receivers choose the side) and star point.