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by AB-Joel on July 22nd, 2003

AB-Joel

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Where did the crazy 15/30/40 tennis scoring system come from?

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  • by trhaynes on July 24th, 2003

    trhaynes

    **these facts come straight from http://www.about-tennis.com **

    In the beginning, both rackets and tennis scoring were used for lawn tennis. With rackets scoring, a game comprised 15 aces, which could be won only by the server who remained "hand in" until the loss of a rally. Tennis scoring was adopted for the first Wimbledon Championships in 1877 and became the standard.

    The origins of the 15, 30, 40 and so on are not known, but have medieval and French roots. One possible explanation is that the scoring system is based on the presence of a clock face at the end of the tennis court. A quarter move of the appropriate hand was made after each rest, with the score being called as 15, 30, or 45 as the case might be. As the hand was moved to 60, making the complete circuit, this was the game.

    The term "deuce" is derived from the French "deux", an advantage of two points having to be gained.

    "Love" is generally taken as being derived from the French "l"oeuf", the egg, symbolising nothing. The term "love" can also be said to come from the English phrase "neither for love nor for money", indicating nothing. (Taken from the book entitled The Guinness Book of Tennis Facts & Feats and Fifteen Love).

    **these facts come straight from http://www.about-tennis.com/**

    Comments

    • Quite insiteful! - I do play a lot of tennis, and it's good to have this background to refer to.

      Pongky

      by Pongky on August 4th, 2003

    • Good answer

      Alatea

      by Alatea on December 9th, 2005

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