Seven points, with room to spare
A standard seven-point tennis tie-break ends when a player has at least seven points and leads by two. At 7–6, play continues. At 8–6, the leader has the required margin.
The ITF’s 2026 Rules of Tennis specify ordinary numbers for tie-break points: 0, 1, 2 and onwards. The usual love, 15, 30 and 40 sequence takes a break.
A set score and a tie-break score
In a standard tie-break set, 6–6 in games triggers the tie-break. Winning it makes the set score 7–6. That finished set score must not be confused with 7–6 in tie-break points, which is only a one-point lead.
Imagine the points reach 6–6. Alex wins the next point: 7–6, still playing. Alex wins again: 8–6, finished. If Sam had won that second point instead, it would be 7–7.
One serve, then pairs of points
The player whose turn it is serves the first point. The opponent serves the next two, then each player serves two points in turn. If Alex starts, the serving order is Alex for point 1, Sam for points 2 and 3, Alex for 4 and 5, and Sam for 6 and 7.
Under the standard rule, players change ends after every six points. The player who served first in the tie-break receives in the first game of the next set.
Check which format you are watching
The seven-point version is not universal. The ITF also permits ten-point formats, including a match tie-break that can replace a deciding set. The competition’s announced format matters.
For the rest of the scoreboard, revisit love, deuce and advantage. To follow the movement between court ends, explore why players change ends.