tennis glossary
What is a Break in Tennis?
A break (short for "break of serve") is when the receiver wins a service game from the server. Service games are usually held by the server, so a break is a significant momentum shift in any set. Counting "breaks" is the simplest way to track who's winning the closer matches.
Example in a match
Your opponent's serve is broken in the 4th game of the set. You're now leading 3-1 with the next service game on your racquet.
Tennis scoring with Volley
Volley scores tennis with all the standard rules built in. Pick the sport at match setup, name your sides, and tap to score. Volley applies the rules from there — including the ones that involve "Break".
Free on iOS and Android. Multi-sport scoring across 9 sports with proper sport-specific scoring engines, ELO rating tracking, and tournament running.
Frequently asked questions
What is a break in tennis?
A break (short for "break of serve") is when the receiver wins a service game from the server. Service games are usually held by the server, so a break is a significant momentum shift in any set. Counting "breaks" is the simplest way to track who's winning the closer matches.
Does Volley handle break automatically?
Yes. Volley's tennis scoring engine handles every standard rule including break. You don't have to track it manually — pick the sport at match setup and Volley applies the rules.
Where can I learn more tennis terms?
The full Tennis glossary is at /tennis-terms-glossary, with 20 of the most common terms explained.