SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/tennis-point-after-30

In a standard tennis game, what score comes after 30?

40, the third point. Win one more and it is game. Win four points before your opponent wins three and you take the game without ever reaching deuce.

40, the third point. Win one more and it is game.

Why: Points go love, 15, 30, 40, then game. The third point is called 40, not 45, even though the first two jumped by 15.

Huh, didn't know that: Win four points before your opponent wins three and you take the game without ever reaching deuce.

The dad joke

I tried counting my tennis points by fifteens. Everything was fine until I hit 40 and my math quit.

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References

Answer: 40. Points go love, 15, 30, 40, then game. The third point is called 40, not 45, even though the first two jumped by 15.

USTA, Scoring Points and Tennis Sets www.usta.com/en/home/improve/tips-and-instruction/national/tennis-scoring-rules.html
3 points= 40
Checked 2026-10-12.

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