Tennis tiebreak rules: how to score a 7 and 10 point tiebreak
How a tennis tiebreak works at 6-6: who serves, when to change ends, how to write the score, and how the 10-point match tiebreak is played.
Updated 2026-10-22
A tiebreak decides a set that reaches six games all. It is one game scored 1, 2, 3, and it is where most scoring arguments in club tennis begin, usually about who serves next. Here are the rules as the ITF writes them, in plain words.
The 7-point tiebreak
- At 6-6, the player whose turn it is to serve serves the first point, from the right side of the court.
- The opponent serves the next two points: the first from the left, the second from the right.
- From then on, each player serves two points in turn, always starting from the left.
- Points are counted 0, 1, 2, 3. The first player to seven points with a lead of two wins. At 6-6 it goes on: 8-6, 9-7 and so on.
- Players change ends after every six points: at 3-3, 4-2, 5-1 or 6-0, then after the next six.
The tiebreak counts as one game, so the set is recorded 7-6. The loser's tiebreak points are often added in brackets: 7-6(4) means the tiebreak ended 7-4. In the next set, the player who served first in the tiebreak receives first.
In doubles
The serving order of the set carries on. The player due to serve takes the first point; the next two go to the player of the other team who is due to serve next, and the rotation continues two points at a time.
The 10-point match tiebreak
Many leagues and doubles events replace a deciding set with a match tiebreak, also called a super tiebreak.
- It is played at one set all (or two sets all in a best-of-five match), instead of the final set.
- The first to 10 points with a two-point lead wins the match. Serving and changes of ends follow the same pattern as a normal tiebreak.
- The order of service carries on from the previous set.
- It is often written like a third set in square brackets: 6-4 3-6 [10-7].
The four Grand Slam tournaments use a 10-point tiebreak in a different place: since 2022, all four have played one when the final set reaches 6-6.
| Situation | What is played | Won by |
|---|---|---|
| 6-6 in a set | Tiebreak | First to 7, two clear |
| One set all, match tiebreak agreed | Match tiebreak instead of the third set | First to 10, two clear |
| 6-6 in the final set at a Grand Slam | Final-set tiebreak | First to 10, two clear |
Score it on your phone
If you have ever lost count at 5-5 in a tiebreak, a scorekeeper helps. Scoretide's tennis scorer follows these rules: tap Point for whoever won the rally, and it keeps track of deuce and advantage, starts the tiebreak at 6-6 and counts its points. Choose best of three or five sets, switch on a match tiebreak to 10 instead of a deciding set, or play golden point at deuce. Undo is one tap. Share a live link and family and friends can follow the score in their browser, and after the match the tide chart shows when it turned.
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Questions
What happens if a tiebreak reaches 6-6?
It goes on until one player leads by two points: 8-6, 9-7, 10-8 and so on. Players keep changing ends every six points.
Who serves first in the set after a tiebreak?
The player who received first in the tiebreak. Whoever served the first tiebreak point receives in the first game of the next set.
Is a match tiebreak the same as a super tiebreak?
Yes. Both names are used for the 10-point tiebreak that replaces a deciding set.
Can I try Scoretide for free?
Yes. Your first scored game is free. Scoretide Pro then starts with a 7-day free trial and scores every game, with the tide chart, live links and season stats.