How is a tennis tiebreak scored?
Basic Tiebreak Scoring
In a standard tiebreak, the first player to reach 7 points wins, but only if they lead by at least 2 points. If the score reaches 6-6, play continues until one player has a 2-point advantage. Points are counted as 'zero', 'one', 'two', etc., not as 15, 30, 40.
The tiebreak is played in a set when the game score reaches 6-6. The winner of the tiebreak wins the set 7-6. In most professional matches, a tiebreak is also used in the deciding set, but some tournaments (like Wimbledon) use a different format at 6-6 in the final set.
Service Rotation and Court Changes
The player whose turn it is to serve starts the tiebreak by serving one point from the deuce court. Then the opponent serves two consecutive points, starting from the ad court, and the serve alternates every two points after that. Players change ends after every six points.
In mixed doubles, the service order may be adjusted, but the same principle of alternating serves applies. The tiebreak continues until one player or team wins by two points.
- First to 7 points wins, but must lead by 2.
- If 6-6, play continues until a 2-point lead.
- Server serves 1 point, then opponent serves 2, then alternate every 2 points.
- Players change ends after every 6 points.
- The tiebreak winner wins the set 7-6.
Common mistakes
- Thinking the tiebreak is won by reaching 7 points regardless of margin; you must win by 2.
- Confusing the tiebreak with a 'super tiebreak' (played to 10 points) used in some doubles or exhibition formats.
- Believing the tiebreak is always played at 6-6 in every set; in some tournaments, the final set may use advantage scoring or a different tiebreak format.
