How Many Games In A Tennis Set?
How many games in a tennis set? This is a question that often comes up during a tennis match. The answer is not as simple as it might seem.
Introduction
In tennis, a set is won when a player or team wins more than half of the possible games. A set consists of a sequence of games played with service alternating between games, and sets are normally played until won by one side having won at least six games with a margin of two or more games over the loser.
The old scoring system
Under the old scoring system, a tennis match was Facebook Live between either two or four players. The match was divided into sets, with each set comprising a predetermined number of games. A player won a set by winning a sufficient number of games and losing fewer than a specified number.
In order to win a set, a player had to win at least six games and at least two more games than the opponent. If the score reached six games each, then the set was decided by a tie-break, which was usually played to seven points. However, if the final set in men’s singles action at Wimbledon (or any other Grand Slam tournament) was tied at six games each, then it was played to nine points.
The new scoring system
The new system comprises a best of first to seven games, tie-break at six games all and a 12-point tie-break at six games all in the final set. So, if the score in the final set reaches six games all, then the next game will be decided by a 12-point tie-breaker (first to seven points with a two point advantage needed). If the score reaches five games all in any other set then a standard tie break (first to seven points with a two point advantage needed) is played. The first player to win four games wins the set. If the score in any set reaches 4-4 we have what is called ‘a set point’. This is when either player can win the set by winning just two more games. If the score gets to 6-6 in any set then we have what is called a ‘tie break’. This is when both players keep serving until one of them wins seven points, providing they have a two point lead (so it could be 7-5, 8-6 etc).
The tiebreaker
In tennis, a tiebreaker (sometimes called a breaker) is a method of breaking up a tie in the score. In a single-game tiebreaker, usually the first player to win five points wins the game. If necessary, they can continue playing until one player is ahead by two points. In most tournaments played using this format, including the French Open and Wimbledon, the first player to reach seven points (with a margin of two) wins the set. If necessary, they can continue playing until one player is ahead by two points.
Conclusion
In a tennis match, the winner is the first player to win two out of three sets. In the case of a tie, a fourth set, or tiebreaker, is played. If the score in the fourth set reaches 6-6, then a tiebreaker is played to determine the winner.
