Tennis Rules
Players hit a ball over a net, trying to land it in the opponent's court in a way they can't return.
Singles (1v1) or doubles (2v2); matches are best-of-3 or best-of-5 sets.
- •Points within a game: 15, 30, 40, game; win by 2 from 40-40 ("deuce")
- •A set is first to 6 games, win by 2; at 6-6, a tiebreak (first to 7 points) decides it
- •Match won by whoever wins the majority of sets
- •Serve alternates every game
- •The ball must land in play before your opponent returns it, or the point is lost
- •Double faults on serve (two failed serves in a row) lose the point
Scoring formats that fit a court booking
Full best-of-three with advantage scoring can run well past two hours, which does not fit the one-hour court most club leagues book. Short sets to four games, no-ad scoring where deuce is settled by a single point, and a ten-point match tiebreak in place of a third set all shorten a match reliably.
Whichever you choose, put it in the league rules rather than agreeing it at the net. Players prepare differently for a format where every deuce is sudden death, and finding out about it as you walk on court is not a fair start.
Managing ability gaps
Tennis exposes a skill gap faster than almost any other sport: a mismatch is over in twenty minutes and neither player has enjoyed it. Dividing a league into boxes of four to six players of similar standard, with promotion and relegation between rounds, is the established answer.
Boxes also keep the season legible. Everyone is playing people they can beat, movement between divisions gives each round a purpose, and a new player can be slotted into the right level without disrupting anyone else's fixtures.
Common questions
What is a tiebreak and when is it played?
At six games all, a tiebreak decides the set: first to seven points with a two-point margin, with players changing ends every six points. Many casual leagues also replace a deciding third set with a ten-point version to keep matches inside a court booking.
Who calls the lines without an umpire?
Each player calls their own side of the net, and any ball that cannot be confidently called out is in. Stating that convention in the league rules prevents the alternative, which is replaying every close call and adding an hour to the evening.
How many players fit in one tennis league?
Work backwards from courts. One court running an hour per match handles a handful of fixtures a week, so leagues usually split into boxes of four to six and let players arrange their own matches within a two to four week round.
Track a tennis league online
Live standings, scores & head-to-head records
How to Start a Tennis League With Friends
2 min read
Tennis League Tips: Running a Fair, Fun Season
2 min read
Ready to start your tennis league?
Create leagues, log scores, and track a live leaderboard. Free for 30 days, no credit card required.
Create Your Free League