Deuce Tennis Rules

Deuce is reached when the score of a regular tennis game reaches 40-40. A player must then win a subsequent point, gaining an "advantage," and then can win a game by winning a point when she has an advantage. If she loses the point when she has an advantage, the score reverts to deuce. In essence, the game is scored such that a player must win a game by two points.

  1. Regular Games

    • A player must win a regular game by two points. When a score of 40-40 ("40-all") is reached, it is called "deuce." The next point awarded is called an "advantage," and can be called "advantage in" if the server wins the point or "advantage out" if the receiving player wins the point.

      If the player with the advantage wins the subsequent point, he wins the game. If the other player wins the point, the score reverts to deuce, and an advantage must be earned before either player can win a game.

      There is no limit on the number of deuces played in a game.

    Tiebreakers

    • A tiebreaker is played when the set score reaches 6-6 (the exceptions are the fifth set for men and third set for women at Wimbledon and the French and Australian opens, where the set is played out). Tiebreakers are played to seven points, with the winner required to win by two points. If the tiebreaker score reaches 6-6, a deuce-like situation is reached. Someone has to win by two points, and there is no limit on the number of points played during a tiebreaker.

      In the tiebreaker, the servers alternate two serves each after the initial serve.

    No-Ad Scoring

    • Players may decide before the match they will play with "no-ad scoring." This means an advantage will not be required to win a game that reaches deuce and a tiebreaker must be won by only a single point.

      In the case of no-ad scoring, the player receiving the serve at deuce (or 6-6 in a tiebreaker) dictates which side of the court the server shall serve from.

      No-ad scoring is not used in official play, unless determined by a recreational league that it will be used throughout league play.