What’s a Break of Serve in Tennis?

A break of serve happens when the returner wins a game — meaning the server got broken.

It’s one of the biggest momentum shifts in a match, and often decides who wins a set.

1. Why It’s Called That
Serving is supposed to give you the edge — it’s your turf. So when the other player wins that game? They’ve “broken” your serve and flipped the dynamic.

2. Why It Matters
One break can swing a set. Two breaks? You’re probably toast. Breaking serve late in a set or multiple times in a match is usually the difference between winning and walking home frustrated.

Breaks are even bigger on faster surfaces, where holding serve is more common — like grass or indoor hard courts.

👂 Where You’ll Hear It

“That was her third break of the match.”
Translation: She’s winning return games — and probably the scoreboard, too.

“He broke at 6–5 to take the set.”
Translation: He came through exactly when it mattered.

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