What Does Game, Set, and Match Mean in Tennis?

Last updated on July 19th, 2022 at 01:50 pm

In tennis, the players play for points, games, sets, and matches. When a player has won the match’s final point in either the second or third set, the umpire will announce the game, set, and match to indicate that the final set has been won and is over. Tennis players must win with a 2-point advantage against their opponent.

So, what is the difference between a set and a match in tennis? How many games are in a tennis match? How do ties work during a game? What does game point mean?

Here is the complete guide to the game, set, and match in tennis.

Table of Contents

What is the Difference Between Set and Match?

A set is a part of the scoring system in tennis; it is a game within a game. A player must win a minimum of six individual games within a set with four points scored to win one game. The tennis scoring system for points within a game is different from what most may expect, with the first point being 15, then 30, then 40.

Once a player wins the next point after 40, they have won the game. This pattern repeats until either side has a minimum of six games while also maintaining a two-game advantage over their opponent. Once this occurs, they have won the overall set.

On the other hand, a match encompasses everything from the points to the games to the sets. For a player to win a match, they must be the first to win at least two sets in the game, sometimes having to win upwards of three.

How Many Games are in a Tennis Match?

In a tennis match, each set occurs until a player reaches six games won and has a two-game advantage. An overall match can be played for a best of three or best of five. The best of three matches is the average in tennis, while the best of five occurs at a Grand Slam or Davis Cup competition.

What Does Game Point Match Mean?

The tennis scoring system within a game operates on a 15, 30, and 40 number scale. Unless both sides reach 40 points, one side will need to win by two scores.

If both players have 40 points, a “deuce” is played for a game instead of a set. Once a deuce happens, either side of the court must win by two consecutive points to win the game.

Otherwise, once a player reaches 40 points with a two-point advantage, the next point is a game point match in which if they score the next point, they win the game. The umpire also announces game point matches to the audience, so they are always aware of what is taking place.

Do You Have to Win by 2 Games in Tennis?

For a set to end, either tennis player will need to win the set by two games. However, if the set is at a tie at five, then one player will need to win two consecutive games, and if they both reach six games, then there is such a thing as a tiebreak game. The tiebreaker game determines the winner of the set.

Whoever wins the tiebreaker game will win the set six to seven, but the point system changes in the tiebreaker game. The points are now scored by regular numbering (1, 2, 3,…) instead of the 15, 30, and 40 numbering from earlier games. The first player to score seven points and maintain a two-point advantage over their opponent takes the set. If both players reach six points, the tiebreaker will continue until either side achieves a two-point advantage.

This idea is now common in tennis, but it was not immediately adopted. The US Open didn’t adopt the idea until 1975, while the Australian Open did not adopt the idea until 2001. However, for some time, certain locations did, and in some cases, currently do not allow for a tiebreak during the final set. The US Open was the only one to allow it before 2019, while the French Open only allowed it in 2022, becoming the last grand slam tournament to enable it.

Can Tennis Games End in a Tie?

Due to the scoring system and structure of the game, a tennis match can’t end in a tie. In tennis, contests are a best of three or best of five-set matches. Two numbers make it impossible for a game to end in a tie.

Some matches can have games or sets that make it feel like a tie, but that is why the tiebreaker exists. Instead of having players endlessly play within a set until they reach a two-point advantage in a set, the tiebreaker helps end the set quicker and thus get to the finish line faster.

Conclusion: What Does Game Set and Match Mean in Tennis?

In summary, a set is a part of the scoring system in tennis. Points go like 15, 30, and 40, and then if both players are in a tie, they go to a deuce. Meanwhile, a match encompasses the individual games tennis players need to play to win a competition. Tennis games can’t end in a tie, which is different than what you will see during an association soccer game.

Next time you are watching a tennis game on TV, or watching from the stands, pay attention to the score. Towards the end of the game, you will hear the announcer say that this is for the game, set, and match, which means someone is about to win.