Coaching Tip - December 2010

    The Tie- Break - A guide for tennis players

    In 1970 the seven point tie-break was introduced into the game of tennis when the score in any set reached 6 games all.
    The system invented by Jimmy Van Allen was designed to prevent overly long sets that were previously played out to advantage.

    In 1985 there was a doubles match with Gunnarson/Mortenson playing Frawley/Pecci at Wimbledon with a 26-24 tie-break score in one set.
    Do you know of any longer tie-break set?

    The seven point tie-break system has also been adopted into most tennis competitions throughout the world.
    This includes the higher levels of local club and school competitions but at this level the tie-break is usually played at 5 games all.

    The format for playing a seven point tie-break
    At 6 games all the tie-break game is played with numerical scoring instead of the usual scoring system.
  • The player whose turn it is to serve does so for the first point in the tie-break from the right hand side (deuce court).
  • The following servers then serve in turn for 2 points from the left (Ad court) side then the right side until the end of the tie break game.
  • The players change ends after every 6 points

  • A seven point tie-break simply means that the first competitor to win seven points with a two point advantage wins the game and more importantly the set.
    The game score for this set is thereby 7/6 .

  • The person or doubles team who received first in the tie-break then serves in the first game of the next set ( if applicable).

  • The above format is used for singles at the professional level and for singles and doubles in most tennis competitions at club and the higher levels of school tennis.

    In recent times the "Super" or ten point tie-break has been introduced in place of a deciding third set (if applicable) in doubles matches at the professional level and some local competitions.

    Practice Tie-breaks
    All tennis players can improve their game by playing the best of 3 tie-break games during regular training or squad sessions.
    The pressure involved in these "mini matches" will help you adjust to playing tight matches in the future.

    Key Points for playing Tie-breaks
    The secret for playing well in tie-breaks is to put your opponent(s) under pressure instead of feeling the pressure yourself:
  • Get your first serve in
  • Return serve at all costs to set up mini break(s) of serve ie winning important points against serve

  • Just a reminder that you need to practice tie-breaks to get the results.
    Winning the tie-breaks will give you a big advantage and put the pressure back on your opponent(s).

    Contact me by email if you have any comments or helpful hints re playing tie-breaks.

    Steve James
    HEAD coach
    Email: steve.james@stevejamestennis.com