To not really understand the scoring in tennis.

[SamuelWestsMistress]

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?

Technically, an ace is a serve that wasn't even touched at all by the opponent (if touched but not returned i.e. it doesn't land back in the server's half of the court then it is called a service winner I think).

Other rules: the server has 2 goes at the serve. A serve has to land in the box on the receiver's side of the net, otherwise it is a fault and after the first fault they get another go. After the second fault on a point, they lose that point (that's a double fault). A let is where the ball touches the net on the serve. In this case the player serves again but doesn't lose one of his goes (i.e. they have an extra go for every let they serve).

unplayable net cord is where the ball clipped the net and changed direction to such an extent that the player couldn't get his racquet to it. Love hold is where a player doesn't lose any points on a service game (i.e. he holds his serve to love).

OK. So if it's your serve and you're winning 40-30, that's not called break point? Just if the non-server is winning?

Just the non-server who is 'breaking' the server.

Also - coin flip and winner chooses whether to serve or receive to decide order of play.

Yes, you are right. It's only break point if the person receiving the serve is on 40 (or advantage if the game has gone to deuce). This is because the term is describing a game where the server is in danger of losing his serve. The server has an advantage in tennis. The serve is a powerful shot and games usually go with serve. So a player has to break his opponent's serve in order to win. Hence the commentators and reporters placing an emphasis on break points and breaks of serve.

And to think Britain used to rule the world...

One of the theories as to why scoring is the way it is is that it is based on the clock positions and a game originating in France.

If tou go to Hampton Court (??) you can see how game of tennis came to the royal court/England

Nope. Lost it again.

At least scoring in football is pretty straightforward!