How does a tiebreak work in tennis?
The player due to serve serves the first point. After that, players alternate every two points, and they change ends after every six points. Points are counted plainly, 1, 2, 3, not 15, 30, 40.
A match tiebreak, often played instead of a deciding set in doubles, is the same but to ten points. Since 2022 the Grand Slams also use a ten-point tiebreak at 6–6 in the final set.
In a match
6–6 in the first set. The tiebreak goes to 7–5: the set is recorded as 7–6(5), with the loser's points in brackets.
Questions
Who serves first in a tiebreak?
The player whose turn it is to serve. After the first point, serve alternates every two points.
What does 7–6(4) mean?
The set was won in a tiebreak, and the loser of the tiebreak scored 4 points.
Sources
- ITF Rules of Tennis