Tie Breaker Rules of Tennis

The set of rules and regulations used in the tennis tie breaker are in many ways unique from the way many other facets of the game are regulated and, for this reason, can often be a confusing. A quick review the rules of the tie break, however, can be useful not only in understanding how the tie break is played, but also the kind of strategies that are used in playing a tie break well.

  1. When Tie Breaks are Used

    • The tie break is used in tennis when a set reaches a draw at 6-6, although some tournaments do not use the tie break, instead continuing to play until one player is ahead by at least two points (eg, the finals and semifinals of the Australian open). Most frequently, however, the tie break is used to make a match quicker and briefer.

    Scoring and Service Games

    • Unlike the regular set in tennis, the tie break is scored by single points. The player who would have been serving the next game of the set begins service first in the tie break, and serves for one point. Next, the opposing player serves two points, switching between ad and deuce courts, as would normally be done in the regular service game. Thus, the tie break would be scored 0-1, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2, etc. The first person to reach seven points or more while being ahead by two points wins the tie break. As you can imagine, the tie break can go on for some time after seven points until one player is ahead by two.

    Side Changes

    • As with the regular set, the tie break has regulated side changes so that weather and sunlight do not favor either player. After six points of the tie break are played, the players will switch sides. Keep in mind that, because the tie break service began with only one service point by the first player who served, the tie break's side change will split one player's two service points.

    Tie Breaks in Doubles

    • Although the tie break here is referred to in terms of the singles game, the tie break is additionally used in the doubles match and is almost entirely the same. The only difference about the doubles tie break is that because there are two players on each side, each pair of service points alternates between the two doubles partners, so that each of the two players on a doubles team has the opportunity to serve in the tie break.