For people new to the game of tennis, Deuce in Tenis is one of those words that get thrown around a lot. However, it might be a little bit difficult to understand at first, and even seasoned players might need a little bit of brushing up on what it means. On an ATP tennis court, a deuce is another form of a tiebreaker. But, instead of the tiebreaker seen at the end of a set, this tiebreaker occurs during a single game.
What is Deuce in Tennis? Detailed Explained
Definition of “DEUCE”
As per Oxford Learners Dictionary “DEUCE” in layman’s terms means (in tennis) the situation when both players have 40 as a score, after which one player must win two points one after the other in order to win the game. Generally, the concept of deuce is used in many sports, wherein it completely means equal score at any point during the match. Also Read: Top 10 Best Backhands in Tennis of All-Time
Origin of the word “DEUCE”
The origin of deuce can be traced back to the Latin word for two, duos, or perhaps more appropriately the French word for two, deux, as tennis has its roots in France. Beyond that, it’s unclear how number two relates to the game in the context of scoring. However, one prevailing theory suggests it stems from the following French phrase: à deux le jeu. Of course, one can interpret the translation of this phrase as ‘to both the game,’ meaning two players with equal chances of winning the game or ‘to two the game,’ referring to either player needing two points to win the game. Also Read: What are the 3 Types of Tennis Courts?
Surprising Fact About “DEUCE”
Although, it is clearly mentioned in the above article about the origin of the Deuce, that it has its roots in France. To everyone’s amazement, in the French Open Tournament the officials do not use the word DEUCE at all. Instead of using deuce, they use “EGALITE” which has a similar connotation as that of deuce.
Tabulated form of “DEUCE”
This is simple scoresheet between player A & player B. This table shows the score of two players as the match progresses, and how DEUCE works.
| SCORE | PLAYER A | PLAYER B |
| POINT 1 | 0 | 15 |
| POINT 2 | 15 | 15 |
| POINT 3 | 30 | 30 |
| POINT 4 | 30 | 40 |
| POINT 5 | 40 | 40 |
| POINT 6 | 40 | AD |
| POINT 7 | 0 | 0 (+1) |
Unlimited Amount of “DEUCE”
Yes, it is true that there is an unlimited amount of Deuce in a tennis match. In order to conclude the match, one player needs to break the deuce and score additional two points in order to win the game. As far as professional records are concerned, there were once 37 deuces in a single game of play in a professional match. This happened in 1975 at the Surrey Grass Court Championships, as Anthony Fossett in Keith Glass battled it out for a total of 80 points in that game alone. In that match, several other games reached deuce. Also Read: Why Zero is Called Love in Tennis?
FAQs About Deuce in Tennis
Q. What is the meaning of deuce in tennis?
Ans. When the score reaches deuce, one player or team will need to win at least two points in a row to win the game.
Q. How many Deuces are allowed in tennis?
Ans. There is no limit to the number of times a game can go to deuce before it is decided.
Q. How do you break a deuce in tennis?
Ans. To win the game when the score is deuce, a competitor must score two consecutive points (one immediately after the other).
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