What does a break mean in tennis?
The server starts each game with an edge, so holding serve is the default and a break is the event. Commentators track who is "up a break": ahead by one game against serve.
Breaking back means winning the next return game straight after being broken, which levels the set again.
Questions
What does up a break mean?
One player has won one more of the opponent's service games than they've lost of their own.
What is breaking back?
Winning a return game right after losing your own serve, which cancels the break.
Sources
- ITF Rules of Tennis