A tennis set is a unit of scoring that consists of games and ends when one player wins a pre-determined number of games by two, or a tie-breaker after a designated number of games. Sets make up matches, although a single set may count as a match, depending on the league or tournament. A match is the end result of competitive tennis play.
Sets
A traditional tennis set consists of games, during which one player or team serves all the points. After one game, the next player or team serves, alternating serves until the set is finished. When one player or team reaches six games, leading by a margin of two games, that player or team wins the set. If you are tied at six games each, you play a tie-break. Tie-breaks are games that determine the outcome of a tied set. You alternate serve every one or two points during a tie-break, depending on which tie-break you are using.
Matches
A traditional match consists of winning the best of three or best of five sets, depending on the tournament format. Most recreational and professional matches use a best-of-three-sets format, with professional men's tournaments and Davis Cup Matches using a best-of-five-set format.
Set Variations
To speed up matches, some leagues and tournaments vary the way sets are played. Some play a tie-break when each player or team has won five games. Some use no-ad scoring, which requires you to play a game-ending, "sudden death" point if a game is tied after six points. In some professional tournaments, you must win the final set by two games, rather than using a tie-break. At the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, Nicolas Mahut and John Isner played a final set that ended with a score of 70 to 68.
Match Variations
Depending on which league or tournament you're in, your match may consist of a single pro set. Pro sets are similar to regular sets, except that you need to win eight games or 10 games, depending on your competition. Some pro sets play the tie-break at 8 games or 10 games apiece, while others play the tie-break at 7 or 9 apiece.
World TeamTennis matches consist of four, one-set matches: men's and women's singles and two mixed doubles matches. Rather than counting sets or matches to determine the winner, TeamTennis matches use total games won to determine the winning team.
The U.S. Tennis Association allows players in some leagues and tournament to play a super tie-break if players split the first two sets. This is a longer tie-break than the traditional tie-break used to decide sets.
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