How Many Sets Are in a Tennis Match? Best of Three vs Best of Five
Most professional tennis matches are best of three sets: the first player to win two sets wins the match. The big exception is men's singles at the four Grand Slams, which are best of five sets.
Which matches use which format
| Event | Format |
|---|---|
| Men's singles at Grand Slams | Best of five |
| Women's singles at Grand Slams | Best of three |
| ATP and WTA tour events | Best of three |
| Davis Cup singles (since 2019) | Best of three |
| Most doubles | Best of three, often with a match tiebreak instead of a third set |
How a set is won
A player wins a set by winning six games with a lead of at least two games, for example 6-4. At 5-5, a player needs to reach 7-5. At 6-6, the set is decided by a tiebreak, and the set score is recorded as 7-6.
In a deciding set at the Grand Slams, the tiebreak at 6-6 is a 10-point tiebreak. Read the full story in our article on the Grand Slam 10-point tiebreak.
The match tiebreak in doubles
In many doubles events, if the players split the first two sets, the match is decided by a match tiebreak to 10 points instead of a full third set. It shortens matches and fits more doubles into busy schedules.
Why men's Grand Slams are best of five
It is mostly tradition. The majors have used five sets for men since the 19th century. Supporters say it rewards fitness and allows comebacks from two sets down. Critics point to very long matches and the toll they take on players. Women played best of five in some finals in the past, such as the WTA Tour Championships from 1984 to 1998, but Grand Slam women's matches are best of three.
How long do matches last?
- A best-of-three match usually takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
- A best-of-five match usually takes about 2.5 to 4 hours, and sometimes much longer.
The longest match ever, John Isner against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010, lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days.
To follow the scoring inside each set, read how tennis scoring works and deuce and advantage.