The Rules Of Tennis

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The Singles Game

26. Score in a Game
a. If a tennis player wins his first point, the score is called 15 for that tennis player; on winning his second point, the score is called 30 for that tennis player; on winning his third point, the score is called 40 for that tennis player, and the fourth point won by a tennis player is scored game for that tennis player except as below:-
If both tennis players have won three points, the score is called deuce; and the next point won by a tennis player is scored advantage for that tennis player. If the same tennis player wins the next point, he wins the game; if the other tennis player wins the next point the score is again called deuce; and so on, until a tennis player wins the two points immediately following the score at deuce, when the game is scored for that tennis player.

b. Optional Alternative Scoring System
The No-Ad System of Scoring may be adopted as an alternative to the traditional scoring system during the period 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2000 provided the decision is announced in advance of the event.

In this case, the following Rules shall be effective:
If a tennis player wins his first point, the score is called 15 for that tennis player; on winning his second point, the score is called 30 for that tennis player; on winning his third point, the score is called 40 for that tennis player, and the fourth point won by a tennis player is scored game for that tennis player except as below:
If both tennis players have won three points, the score is called deuce; one deciding point shall then be played whereby the receiver shall choose whether he wishes to receive the service from the right-half of the tennis court or the left- half of the tennis court. The tennis player who wins the deciding point is scored the game.

Doubles
In doubles a similar procedure to that for singles shall apply. At deuce the Receiving Team shall choose whether it wishes to receive the Service from the right-half of the tennis court or the left-half of the tennis court. The team who wins the deciding point is scored the game.

Mixed Doubles
In mixed doubles, a slightly different procedure will apply as follows: At deuce, with the male tennis player serving, he shall serve to the male tennis player of the opposing team irrespective of which half of the tennis court he is standing, and when the female tennis player is serving, she shall serve to the female tennis player of the opposing team.

USTA Comment: In a non-officiated match the Server should announce, in a voice audible to his opponent and spectators, the set score at the beginning of each game, and point scores as the game goes on. Misunderstandings will be avoided if this practice is followed.

USTA Comment: USTA Regulation I.U.9. authorizes the referee to switch to No-Ad scoring without prior notice in all tournaments other than national championships when weather or other factors cause the tournament to fall behind its published schedule.