In tennis, a tie break is a crucial part of the game that helps decide the winner of a set when both players are tied at 6 games each. The tie break is played separately from the rest of the set, and it has a unique scoring system that can sometimes confuse new players. In this article, we will explain how many points are in a tie break and how the scoring works, so you can understand this important aspect of the game.
What is a Tie Break?
A tie break is a game within a set that is played when both players are tied at 6 games each. The winner of the tie break is the first player to reach 7 points, with a margin of at least 2 points over their opponent. For example, if the score is 6-6, the winner of the tie break will be the first player to reach 7 points, but they must win by a margin of 2 points. If the tie break reaches a score of 6-6, then the players will continue to play until one player wins by a margin of 2 points.
How is a Tie Break Scored?
The scoring system in a tie break is different from the rest of the set. The first player to serve in the tie break is decided by a coin toss, and then the players will take turns serving every 2 points until the tie break is over. The player who served first in the tie break will serve again at the start of the second set.
Each player starts the tie break with 0 points, and points are scored as follows:
- 1 point for winning a rally on your serve
- 1 point for winning a rally on your opponent's serve
- 2 points for winning two consecutive rallies on your serve
- 2 points for winning two consecutive rallies on your opponent's serve
The score is called out as "1-0" or "0-1" for the first point, "2-0" or "0-2" for the second point, and so on. The first player to reach 7 points with a margin of at least 2 points over their opponent wins the tie break and the set.
When is a Tie Break Played?
A tie break is played in all sets except the final set of a match in most professional tournaments. In the final set, the players will continue to play until one player wins by a margin of 2 games. However, in some tournaments like the US Open, a tie break is also played in the final set to prevent matches from lasting too long. In amateur tournaments and club matches, it is up to the organizers to decide whether or not to play a tie break in the final set.
Conclusion
Now that you know how many points are in a tie break and how the scoring works, you can follow the game more easily and enjoy it even more. Remember, the tie break is a crucial part of the game that can help decide the winner of a set, so it's important to understand how it works. Keep practicing and have fun playing tennis!
