SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/tennis-no-ad-deciding-point

In no-ad scoring, what happens when a game reaches deuce?

One deciding point wins the game. No advantage.

Start playing free

  1. Players need two points in a row
  2. A tie-break is played
  3. The next point wins the game ✔

Why: No-ad scoring skips the advantage. At deuce, one deciding point is played and whoever wins it wins the game.

Huh, didn't know that: Except in mixed doubles, the receiver chooses the side for the deciding point. In mixed doubles, the receiver must be the player of the server's gender.

The dad joke
No-ad scoring is like the last cookie in the jar. One point, winner takes all.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: The next point wins the game. No-ad scoring skips the advantage. At deuce, one deciding point is played and whoever wins it wins the game.

  1. ITF 2026 Rules of Tennis, Appendix VI No-Ad Scoring Method www.itftennis.com/media/7221/2026-rules-of-tennis-english.pdf
    If each player/team has won three points, the score is “Deuce” and a deciding point shall be played.
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. ITF 2026 Rules of Tennis, Appendix VI No-Ad Scoring Method www.itftennis.com/media/7221/2026-rules-of-tennis-english.pdf
    The receiver(s) shall choose whether to receive the service from the right half or the left half of the court.
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  3. ITF 2026 Rules of Tennis, Appendix VI No-Ad Scoring Method www.itftennis.com/media/7221/2026-rules-of-tennis-english.pdf
    In mixed doubles, the player of the same gender as the server shall receive the deciding point.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Sports & FitnessIn tennis, when is the score called "deuce"?Sports & FitnessIn a standard tennis game, a player wins the point after deuce. What is the score called?Sports & FitnessYou have the advantage, then your opponent wins the next point. What is the score now?

That's stuff everyone should know.