Knowing when to change ends during a tennis match is a fundamental part of the game. The International Tennis Federation determines the official rules for switching sides, and the U.S. Tennis Association abides by its decisions. Following the standard regulations will prevent on-court mix-ups and delay of match penalties.
Games
In typical play, the first player who wins six games wins a set, given that she has at least a two-game advantage over her opponent. The ITF states that when using this scoring method, players should change ends after the first, third and subsequent odd games of the set.
Sets
In typical play, opponents switch sides at the end of the set if the total number of games in the set is odd. If the total number of games is even, players should switch sides after the first game of the subsequent set.
Rest
The official rules allow up to 90 seconds of rest time when changing sides at the end of a game except after the first game of a set. During these times, play is continuous, and you should change ends without resting. The 90 seconds begin upon the completion of the last point and end when the first point after the changeover begins.
Tiebreakers
According to the official ITF rules, you should switch sides after every six games of a tiebreaker.
Alternately, players can switch ends after the first point of the tiebreaker and then again after every four points. Opponents should discuss which method they will use before the match begins.
The rules for rest periods in tiebreakers varies slightly from the rules for regular sets. Tiebreaker play is continuous. This means you change sides without resting until someone wins the tiebreaker and set.
After the tiebreaker, when you change sides you do so from the side you were on when the tiebreaker ended rather than from the side you were on at the beginning of the tiebreaker.
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