Tennis is one of the sports that does not have a time limit. The sport uses pre-defined sets that have to be achieved to win the game. Whether you are a tennis player or a regular fan, you have to know how many sets are played in tennis.
So, how many sets are played in tennis?
Most tennis matches, singles and doubles, are played in best-of-three sets. This includes professional, college, junior, and amateur. The only exception is men’s Grand Slam tournaments, which are played in best-of-five sets. All women’s tennis matches are also played in a best-of-three format.
We will explore more about the differences in the sets played in professional tennis tournaments, the different types of sets in tennis, and the benefits of each set format. Read along if you are interested!
Table of Contents
How Many Sets Do You Need To Win a Tennis Match?
A tennis match can be played in a best-of-three or best-of-five sets.
In best-of-three sets, the match is won by a player that wins two sets. So, a best-of-three match can end in 2 (2-0) or 3 (2-1) sets.
In best-of-five sets, the match is won by a player that wins three sets. So, a best-of-five match can end either in 3 (3-0), 4 (3-1) or 5 (3-2) sets.
Each set is played to six games, with a two-game advantage or a tiebreaker if the score is tied at 6-6.
How Many Sets Are Played in Tennis? Men’s Vs. Women’s
Most professional men’s tennis matches are played in best-of-three sets, except for Men’s singles at Grand Slam tournaments, where they play best-of-five sets.
All professional women’s tennis matches are played in best-of-three sets.
All professional men’s and women’s doubles matches are played in best-of-three sets.
Fun fact: Women’s professional matches used to be played in best-of-five sets during the 1984 to 1998, but was changed to best-of-three until today.
Learn more about tennis history here.
How Many Sets Are Played in Professional Tennis Matches?
Grand Slam
There are 4 grand slam tournaments: Wimbledon, U.S. Open, French Open, and Australian Open. The Grand Slam is organized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
In all Grand Slam Singles Tournaments, the main draws are played in best-of-five sets for men and best-of-three sets for women.
For qualifying draws, matches are played in best-of-three sets for both men and women.
The only exception is the men’s Wimbledon qualifying round, which is played in best-of-three until the final round, where they play best-of-five sets.
In all Grand Slam tournaments, if the score is tied at 6-6, a 10-point tiebreak set is played to decide the victor of the match.
All grand slam doubles tournaments, men and women, are played in best-of-three sets.
ATP & WTA Tour Events
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) governs professional men’s tennis tournaments, while the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) organizes professional women’s tennis tournaments.
In ATP & WTA tour events, both men’s and women’s matches are played in best-of-three sets, including both main and qualifying rounds.
A tiebreaker set is played when a score in the final set reaches 6-6. The winner of the tiebreak set wins the match.
All ATP & WTA doubles matches are played in best-of-three sets, with a 10-point tiebreak set if the score is tied at 1-1.
Futures and Challengers
In Future and Challenger tennis matches, both men’s and women’s matches are played in best-of-three sets.
For future tournaments, both men’s and women’s qualifying draws play best-of-three with a 10-point tiebreak set if the score is tied at 1-1. So, a full third set is not played to shorten the matches.
All Futures and Challengers doubles matches are played in best-of-three sets, with a 10-point tiebreak set if the score is tied at 1-1.
How Many Sets Are Played in High School and College Tennis Matches?
All high school and NCAA college tennis matches are typically played in best-of-three sets.
If the match is tied 1-1, a tiebreaker set is often played instead of a full third set, depending on the school rules.
Types of Sets in Tennis
Best-of-Three Sets
In best-of-three sets, the first player to win 2 sets wins the match. So, a best-of-three match can end in 2 (2-0) or 3 (2-1) sets.
The best-of-three set is the standard format used in most professional and recreational tennis matches.
Best-of-Five Sets
In best-of-five sets, the first player to win 3 sets wins the match. So, a best-of-five match can end either in 3 (3-0), 4 (3-1) or 5 (3-2) sets.
The best-of-five sets are only seen in men’s singles at Grand Slam Tournaments.
Tiebreak Sets
Tiebreak sets are played when the score of a set is tied at 6-6. A standard tiebreak set is a best-to-seven, meaning that the first player that reaches 7 points with a margin of 2 points wins the tiebreaker set.
Unlike the scoring system in standard tennis games, where it is counted as 15,30,40, the tiebreaker set is counted singularly as 0,1,2,3, and so on.
Super Tiebreak Sets
Super tiebreak sets are played in professional tournaments, including all the Grand Slam tournaments. Instead of a 7-point tiebreak set, a super tiebreak set is a 10-point tiebreaker.
So, the first player that reaches 10 points with a margin of 2 points wins the tiebreaker set. Like standard tiebreak sets, the point is counted singularly.
Learn more about tiebreakers and super tiebreakers here.
Pros of Best-of-Three Sets
Shorter Time
Best-of-three matches generally last much earlier than a best-of-five series. A best-of-three match lasts around 80 minutes to 2 hours on average, while a best-of-five match lasts around 2 hours to 3 hours and 20 minutes on average.
A match that ends earlier can benefit both the players and the audience.
The shorter matches allow players to rest their bodies longer, so they will be more ready to play back-to-back matches. More resting for players will also reduce the risk of injuries and preserve stamina.
Audiences can also see the match’s conclusion faster, so they can watch more matches.
Higher Chance for an Upside
Less experienced players have more chance to win against higher level players due to a shorter match.
In best-of-three sets, players just have to win 2 sets to win the match.
A good strategy for underdog players is to play more aggressively and riskier since they have nothing to lose, but has huge potential if executed properly.
This way, many lower-ranking player can upside the higher-ranking ones if they play aggressively from the start and win the match before the other player can adapt.
More Engaging to Fans
The shorter match will allow the audience to see the match’s outcome with an ideal match length that does not end too soon or too long.
A match that goes too long can cause the audience to be less engaged.
If a match ends sooner, the fans will also have time to watch more matches in the tournament.
More Scheduled Matches
Due to the shorter time it takes for a match to end, more matches can be scheduled within the day. So the audience can watch more of their favorite players playing in one day.
Pros of Best-of-Five Sets
More Opportunities for a Comeback
Players that are losing will be able to have more chances for a comeback due to more sets being played in best-of-fives.
For example, losing the first 2 sets means losing the match if it is best-of-three sets. But in best-of-fives, that player can still win the match by winning the next three sets.
Gain More Experience
Since you play more games in best-of-five sets compared to best-of-three, you will have more playing experience in a competitive setting.
Experience is precious to have, especially in professional tournaments. More experience also means an increase in mental strength, endurance, adaptability and overal tennis level.
Showcase of Skills and Tactics
Since matches are longer, players will have more opportunities to adjust their tactics and strategies.
If a player is losing, there is a chance that they will make a risky play, which, if executed properly, can turn the tide of the game and shock the fans.
Wrapping Up
Here is the summary of the sets played in tennis depending on the level of the tournament:
| Level | Sets Played |
| High School & College | Best-of-three sets |
| Amateur Level | Best-of-three sets |
| USTA & Club Level | Best-of-three sets |
| ATP | Best-of-three sets |
| WTA | Best-of-three sets |
| Futures & Challengers | Best-of-three sets |
| Grand Slam (Men) | Best-of-five sets |
| Grand Slam (Women) | Best-of-three sets |
It is tricky to choose whether a best-of-three or best-of-five set is better for in tennis tournament.
For me, I prefer best-of-three sets for standard rounds but best-of-five sets for more important matches, such as the final round in major tournaments.
How about you? Which sets format do you prefer?
Related Questions
What is a Set in Tennis?
A set is one of the terminology in a tennis scoring system. In tennis, a player wins the match by winning 2 or 3 sets, depending on the match’s format. A set is played to 6 games, with each game played to 4 points (15-30-40-60).
Are There 3 or 5 Sets in Tennis?
Most tennis matches, men and women, are played in best-of-three sets. A tennis match played as best-of-five sets is only for men’s singles in Grand Slam Tournament. This includes Wimbledon, U.S Open, French Open, and Australian Open.
Do Tennis Sets Go to 6 or 7?
A tennis set typically goes to 6 games if the score is within a 2 point margin. If the score is 6-5, the player has to go to 7 points to win by a 2-point margin. Some tournaments play a tiebreaker set after the score reaches 6-6, with the winner of the tiebreaker also winning the set 7-6.
Is Men’s Tennis Always 5 Sets?
No, the only men’s tennis that is best-of-five sets is singles matches played in Grand Slam Tournaments. This includes Wimbledon, U.S Open, French Open, and Australian Open.
