Rules For Playing 10 Point Match Tiebreaker In Tennis

A 10-point tiebreaker, sometimes referred to as a super tiebreaker, is sometimes played in a tennis match in lieu of a final set when each player—or team, in doubles—has won the same number of sets. The 10-point tiebreaker has been used in play to shorten the match time since it takes much less time than playing a full set. This scoring system is often used in junior tennis and has become the standard—with the exception of Grand Slam events—for ATP men’s and WTA women’s professional tennis.

Acknowledgement of Use

According to the United States Tennis Association, or USTA, if a 10-point match tiebreaker will be used in a tournament instead of a deciding set, that must be stated in the tournament’s entry information. It must also only be used in accordance of the regulations of the USTA or other governing body of the event, like the International Tennis Federation, or ITF, for example.

Serving & Receive

When playing a 10-point tiebreaker instead of a final set, the player or doubles team that would serve if it was a full set still serves. In the case of doubles, you may decide person on your team will serve first. You may also choose to change the receiving order within your doubles team.

Changing Sides

In a regular set, you switch sides at odd games. You will only change sides at the beginning of a 10-point tiebreaker if it would have been an odd game. This would be the case if the previous set finished at 7-5. Once the tiebreaker has begun, you will only switch sides every six points.

Winning

In order to win a 10-point tiebreaker, you must be the first player to win 10 points. You do not have to win 10 consecutive points, but you do have to win by a margin of at least two. In other words, if players reach a score of 9-9, play will continue until one of the players wins two points in a row.

Final Score

The final score is recorded at 1-0 for the winner with the tiebreaker score in parenthesis. For example, if you won the first set by a score of 6-4, your opponent won the second by the same score and then you took the 10-point match tiebreaker at 10-7, the final score would be 6-4,4-6,1-0(7).