Scoring
In a tennis game, scores increase according to a sequence
of four points: 15, 30, 40, and "game." A
score of zero points is known as "love." A
player wins a game when he or she scores four points,
unless the score is tied at 40. Any time the score
is tied, from 40-40 on, the game is considered at "deuce."
In a tie, or deuce, situation the player who
scores the next point gains the advantage,
or "ad." If the server has the advantage,
it is referred to as "ad in;" if
the receiver has the advantage, it is called "ad
out." To win a game, the player with the
advantage has to score the next point, otherwise
the score returns to deuce and play continues
until one player moves ahead by a margin of
two points.
Competition
To win a set, a player must win six games
and be ahead by a margin of two games.
If the score is tied 6-6, a tiebreaker
game is played, unless it is the final
set of a match (the third set for women;
the fifth set for men). In this case, the
final set continues until one competitor
moves ahead by two games.
During regular play, the serve alternates
between the players after each game. Power
serving has become an important aspect of winning
tennis. Often a player's ability to win a game
depends on his or her ability to "break
service," or win a game that the opponent
is serving.
News, History,
and Fast Facts
More sports
General Sports Links
Olympians will compete in dozens of sports this summer. Even though Gateway
to the Summer Games can't feature them all, you can learn about each and
every one by visiting the sites listed below.
|