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- What Is “Deuce” and “Advantage” in Tennis?
What Is “Deuce” and “Advantage” in Tennis?
This is the part of tennis scoring that gets confusing fast — but it’s also where matches get really good.
“Deuce” means the game is tied at 40–40, and from here on out, you’ve got to win two points in a row to close it out.
1. How It Works
If the game reaches 40–40, it’s called deuce.
Win the next point? You’ve got advantage (aka ad in if you're the server, or ad out if you're the returner).
Win the point after that? You win the game.
But if you lose the next point? It's back to deuce.
This can happen once. Or twice. Or, in some chaotic matches, 10+ times. It's part drama, part endurance test.
2. Quick Tip: Who’s Up?
If you hear “Ad In” — it means the server has advantage.
If it’s “Ad Out” — the returner does.
You’ll sometimes just hear the umpire say “Advantage [last name]” — meaning that player is one point from winning the game… again.
👂 Where You’ll Hear It
“They’ve been stuck at deuce for like five minutes.”
Translation: Neither player can win two points in a row. It’s a battle.
“She had four break points, but it kept going back to deuce.”
Translation: She had multiple chances to win the game, but the server kept clutching up under pressure.
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