Last updated: October 1, 2026. Tennis uses two kinds of tiebreakers, and mixing them up is the most common source of confusion. The short version: a set tiebreak is first to 7 points (win by 2) and decides a 6-6 set, while a match tiebreak (also called a super tiebreak) is first to 10 points (win by 2) and stands in for a whole deciding set. Below is how each one works, who serves when, and how the Grand Slams and the ATP and WTA tours apply them, plus a free printable cheat sheet.
Tennis Tiebreakers: Quick Facts
- Set tiebreak: first to 7 points, win by 2, played at 6-6 in a set
- Match (super) tiebreak: first to 10 points, win by 2, replaces a deciding set
- Grand Slam final set: all four majors use a 10-point tiebreak at 6-6 (unified in 2022)
- ATP and WTA tour: a 7-point tiebreak at 6-6 in every set, including the deciding set
- Switch ends: every 6 points during a tiebreak
Tennis Scoring in 30 Seconds
Points in a game go 15, 30, 40, then game. Tied at 40-40 is deuce, and a player must then win two points in a row: the first is advantage, the second wins the game. You win a set by reaching 6 games with a lead of at least two (6-4, 6-3, and so on). If the set reaches 6-6, it goes to a tiebreak. Win the required number of sets, best-of-three or best-of-five, and you win the match.
The Set Tiebreak (First to 7)
When a set reaches 6-6, players contest a tiebreak to decide it. The first player to 7 points wins, but they must win by two, so a tight tiebreak can run to 8-6, 10-8, or higher until someone leads by two.
Serving rotates in a fixed pattern. The player whose turn it is to serve plays the first point from the deuce (right) court. Then service passes to the opponent, who serves the next two points, and from there serve alternates every two points. Players change ends every six points, and the tiebreak winner takes the set 7-6.
The Match Tiebreak (First to 10)
A match tiebreak, often called a super tiebreak or a 10-point tiebreak, works the same way as a set tiebreak but is played to 10 points instead of 7, still win by two. The key difference is what it replaces: rather than deciding a single 6-6 set, a match tiebreak stands in for an entire final set. It is common in doubles, in mixed events, and, since 2022, in Grand Slam singles when the final set reaches 6-6.
Grand Slam Final-Set Rules (Unified in 2022)
For years the four majors each handled a 6-6 final set differently, from Wimbledon and the French Open playing on indefinitely to the US Open using a standard 7-point tiebreak. That changed in 2022, when the Grand Slam Board adopted one rule for all four: if the final set reaches 6-6, it is decided by a 10-point tiebreak (win by two). So the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open now all finish a deciding set the same way.
ATP, WTA and Doubles
Regular ATP and WTA tour matches are best-of-three sets, and every set, including the third, uses a 7-point tiebreak at 6-6. Doubles is where you see the match tiebreak most often: many events play no-ad scoring and replace the third set with a 10-point match tiebreak to keep matches short. Formats can vary by event, so it is always worth checking the tournament rules.
Download the Printable Tennis Scoring and Tiebreaker Cheat Sheet (PDF)
Keep the rules handy courtside or on the couch. This one-page printable covers game scoring, set rules, the 7-point set tiebreak, the 10-point match tiebreak, and the Grand Slam and tour formats at a glance.
More Tennis from Sports Brackets
Keep up with the season: see what’s on with our tennis on TV guide, grab the US Open printable bracket, and follow the Laver Cup schedule and scorecard. Find every printable bracket and schedule at SportsBrackets.net.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a set tiebreak and a match tiebreak?
A set tiebreak is first to 7 points (win by 2) and decides a 6-6 set. A match tiebreak is first to 10 points (win by 2) and takes the place of an entire deciding set.
Who serves first in a tiebreak?
The player due to serve starts the tiebreak by serving one point from the deuce court. The opponent then serves the next two points, and service alternates every two points after that.
When do players switch ends in a tiebreak?
Players change ends every six points during a tiebreak to keep conditions fair.
Do all four Grand Slams use the same final-set tiebreak now?
Yes. Since 2022 the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open all decide a 6-6 final set with a 10-point tiebreak (win by two).
