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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/tennis-love-means-zero

In tennis scoring, what does the word "love" mean?

Love means zero, no points yet in the game.

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  1. Zero points ✔
  2. A tied score
  3. One point

Why: The Rules of Tennis call no points "Love." So 15 to love means the server has one point and the receiver has none.

Huh, didn't know that: In a tie-break game, points are called zero, 1, 2, 3 and so on, not love, 15, 30, 40.

The dad joke
Why should you never date a tennis player? Because to them, love means nothing.
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References

Answer: Zero points. The Rules of Tennis call no points "Love." So 15 to love means the server has one point and the receiver has none.

  1. USTA: Tennis scoring rules www.usta.com/en/home/improve/tips-and-instruction/national/tennis-scoring-rules.html
    0 points= Love
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 www.itftennis.com/media/7221/2026-rules-of-tennis-english.pdf
    During a tie-break game, points are scored “Zero”, “1”, “2”, “3”, etc.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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