What Is A Tie Break In Tennis?

There are three different types of tie breaks in tennis: a tie break resulting from a deuce, a tie break game, and a tie break set. Both tie break situations are unique and are resolved in their own way.

Deuce Tie Break

Tennis players enter a unique tiebreaker scenario when they tie past 30 points. In a typical game of tennis, one side must score at least four points to win. If the score gets to 40-30, 40-15, or 40-0, and the player with three points scores again, they win. If the score gets to 40-40, this is called a deuce.

If one side wins a point in a deuce, the score is referred to as Advantage In (the winning side)-Advantage Out. Then, if the Advantage In side scores another point, they win the game. In a deuce, a side needs to gain two consecutive points to win. Each side will continue to be tied (a deuce) or one side has the advantage until the game is won by two points.

Tie Break Set

The tie break in tennis usually refers to when both sides have the same number of sets toward the end of a match. A “tie break set” requires a player to win six games in order to win. If the set is tied at 5-5, a player must win two consecutive games to win the set.

Tie Break Game

If the set is tied at 6-6, then a final game is played which determines the winner of the set. This is called the “tie break game.” In a tie break game, a player must score seven points and have a lead by at least two points at the time of the seventh point scored to win (the “15, 30, 40” system is not used in this situation). Each player switches sides after six points have been played.

FAQ