Tiebreak (7-Point)

Under ITF Rule 6, a tie-break set goes to a deciding game when the score reaches six games all. Points are called zero, 1, 2, 3 and so on, not 15-30-40. The first player or team to seven points wins the game and the set, provided they lead by two. If needed, play continues until one side is two clear, so scores like 8-6 or 12-10 are possible. The set goes down as 7-6.

The player whose turn it is to serve takes the first point, from the deuce (right) side. The opponent then serves points two and three, and after that each side serves two in a row until the end. Serves alternate halves every point, so each two-point turn starts from the ad (left) side. In doubles, the rotation within each team continues in the same order as in the set. The player who served first receives in the first game of the next set.

Players change ends after every six points, with no rest at the change. Mistakes get fixed under Rule 27. If someone serves out of turn and it is noticed after an even number of points, the order is corrected at once. After an odd number, the altered order stands. Players at the wrong ends switch as soon as the error is found. If balls are changed after a set number of games, the breaker counts as one game, but new balls never come out at its start. That change waits until the second game of the next set.

Not every set uses one. In an advantage set, play continues at 6-6 until one side leads by two games. The event announces in advance which method it uses, and some finish a match with a different deciding format instead. An approved alternative changes ends after the first point and then every four points. Check the format before the match starts.