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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not really understand the scoring in tennis.

34 replies

SamuelWestsMistress · 03/07/2013 17:17

I try to understand how it works, but I must be too thick! I still enjoy it though.

I can't be the only one?

OP posts:
AgentProvocateur · 03/07/2013 17:19

No, you're not the only one! Hopefully someone will come along and explain it to us.

BegoniaBampot · 03/07/2013 17:19

Ok with tennis, have no clue about that weird forrin sport cricket though.

LadyBryan · 03/07/2013 17:23

Very easy Smile

Matches are divided into sets, sets into games.

scoring goes thus: -

15, 30, 40, game.

Obviously if the other player scores a point you get 15-all, 15-30 etc. First to 40 wins. If both are on 40 it is deuce. Then you get Advantage and Game.

Player must win set by first to 6 games, but must win by two/more clear games.

If it gets to 6-6 you have a tie break. First to 7 points wins (again need two clear points)

men play five sets so first to three sets wins.

TabithaStephens · 03/07/2013 17:24

Games goes 15, 30, 40, 60, and you have to win by 2 clear points.
First to 6 games wins the set, but you have to win by 2 clear games.
Mens games are best of 5 sets. Ladies (and mixed) games best of 3 sets.

MardyBra · 03/07/2013 17:25

Why is this in AIBU?

MrsDoomsPatterson · 03/07/2013 17:25

No tie break in the final set though, that's when you get the massive number of games that can happen sometimes, needs to be two clear games.

TalcAndTurnips · 03/07/2013 17:30

Begonia - I can offer cricket scoring help if you want it.

Which I doubt. Grin

TeamSouthfields · 03/07/2013 17:30

Just trying to explain it to LO age 6.....

AgentProvocateur · 03/07/2013 17:47

Thank you. Hadn't realised the two clear points/games rule. It makes more sense now.

Original poster
SamuelWestsMistress · 03/07/2013 20:01

Aha ok, I think I get it now!

OP posts:
namechangea · 03/07/2013 20:05

I don't, if it's first to 40, how can they ever both be on 40? Help I'm rubbish at this. Despite having tennis courts at school I don't ever remember playing there. I'll blame the education system Grin

Lovelygoldboots · 03/07/2013 20:18

When they are both at 40 its deuce. To win that game the player has to win the next two points, the advantage and then the next the game. If they lose after they have won advantage it goes back to deuce. Hope that makes sense.

ClayDavis · 03/07/2013 20:18

It's not first to 40. If you get to 40, you have to score 1 more point to win the game. If you are both on 40 i.e. deuce, then you have to score 2 more consecutive points to win the game.

suchawimp · 03/07/2013 20:20

Why is is 15 30 40 not 15 30 45?

Still18atheart · 03/07/2013 20:25

yes suchawimp I don't get the points system for the individual games. why is it not 123 or 15 30 45

What makes it more confusing is when they say Murray's up a point. But How can you be up just one point when the minimum to be up by is 15 makeing it points not point.

HooverFairy · 03/07/2013 20:27

YANBU, I've been to Wimbledon and still don't have a clue! I think I sort of understood when my friend explained it but I've forgotten now.

lurcherlover · 03/07/2013 20:38

I think I get the numbers, but can someone explain what an ace is? And what does "breaking" someone mean and why is it such a big deal?

Also, when Murray won just then, how did he win? The crowd seemed to roar as soon as the ball was hit, did they see it was going to go out or something?

Lovelygoldboots · 03/07/2013 20:39

15, 30, 40 are calls which correspond to points won. They bear no relation to actual number of points. Also when it is deuce, then this can be returned to many times before the game is won. Tennis is about building momentum, the whole match can turn on one single game. If a serve is broken, ie the player wins the opponents service game, that means that player is more likely to go on and win the set. Cab you tell I've done no housework this week Grin

Salmotrutta · 03/07/2013 20:44

An "ace" is when someone scores on their serve because their opponent couldnt return it.

Breaking is when you break someone's serve by winning their service game.

Salmotrutta · 03/07/2013 20:45

And if you break someone's serve whilst holding your own you will most likely win the set.

lurcherlover · 03/07/2013 20:46

OK. How often do they swap who's serving then?

Lovelygoldboots · 03/07/2013 20:48

After every game.

lurcherlover · 03/07/2013 20:59

Right. This is really helpful, thanks. I'm reading the BBC report of the match and trying to make sense of it. What's a break point? And an "unplayable net cord"? And a love hold? I should have paid more attention in PE...

Itsjustafleshwound · 03/07/2013 21:03

Break point - opponent has one more point than you have to break your serve.

Love hold - win you win your service game without losing a point

Lovelygoldboots · 03/07/2013 21:06

Break point is the point before you beat your opponents service game. For example 30-40 is break point. If the player who is serving gets the point it is then deuce. And then you have to get the advantage, to get break point again.