How many sets in tennis? The number of sets played in a tennis match varies depending on the tournament. In grand slam events, men compete in best-of-five sets, and women compete in best-of-three sets. Outside the majors, both men and women compete in best-of-three sets.
In the following article, I’ll deep dive into tennis sets and why they matter. Spoiler alert! It’s more than just numbers, the reason is steeped in history and it might surprise you!
I am Chris, a British tennis player based in London, ERSA Pro Stringer, and a fan of all things tennis. I have spent hours researching this in-depth, so you don’t have to (you’re welcome!). Seeing as you got this far, let’s jump straight in! Feel free to skip ahead to the bit that interests you!
History of sets in Tennis matches
Did you know that the concept of sets in tennis has actually evolved since it was invented?
In fact, in the late 19th century, tennis matches were played less formally. We didn’t have the rules we came to know today!
Yes, we do have to go back a bit; think of long dresses for ladies and long sleeves for men. Come on, admit it: the outfits now are so dull in comparison!
Where was I? Ah yes, so as tennis gained popularity, it became apparent a better scoring system was needed!
This led to the introduction of sets. This provided more structure and fairness to matches.
This allowed players to compete over many segments rather than one-off games.
Sounds simple. Well, not quite; at the beginning, let’s just say there was a bit of debate as to how many sets constituted a match.
Different clubs had varying formats! So, as you can imagine, players and spectators were often left confused.
And you thought it was not very easy remembering the score now!
Things changed by the early 20th century, and standardization took shape. The International Lawn Tennis Federation started formalizing rules that included set counts.
As you’ll see in the next section, things vary depending on the tournament!
How many sets in professional tennis?
So how many sets in tennis? Well, this will depend on what match! I’ve gone and confused you again, haven’t I?
In professional tennis, the number of sets is determined by the tournament and level of play.
In the majors, also known as Grand Slam events, matches are best-of-five sets. This means a player must win three sets to claim victory.
Are you following so far? Ok, I’m going to risk confusing you again! It’s different for women!
Women’s Grand Slam matches consist of best-of-three sets. This means they must win two sets to secure a place in the next round.
The format applies to most WTA events [1]as well. Ah, but then there are ATP tour events [2]! Relax, this is slightly more simple!
ATP Tour events are best-of-three set formats for men and women outside the majors. Phew….
In case you are still confused. The guys at Snowman Sports Media explain the ATP and WTA formats in more detail in the video below.
Different types of tennis matches and the number of sets
Tennis features various match formats, each with a unique set structure.
The most common format is the best-of-three sets, used in ATP and WTA tournaments.
These tend to be shorter and are often more intense, and there have been some epic battles over the years.
In Grand Slam [3] events, players use a best-of-five sets format for men’s singles.
Sounds tiring? It is! This requires incredible endurance, as these matches can last hours!
You can find out the longest match on record in my article on how long are tennis matches?
This is currently different in the women’s game. These follow the three-set format.
But what about doubles? Well, these can often move faster, and you tend not to see long gruelling rallies like in singles.
These will usually be the best-of-three sets approach. They often use super tiebreaks [4] if it is all square after 2 sets, as was the case at the recent Olympics.
Controversies around the format of sets in tennis
Did you think tennis was free of controversy? Think again!
The format of sets in tennis has created quite a bit of debate! One of the reasons for this was the introduction of tiebreaks in deciding sets.
Those tennis purists argue that traditional tennis should allow players to play without a predetermined end point! Wowsers!
I do see their point, but tennis players are human! They are already fitness machines, but if the final set is allowed to go and on, they would be…frankly, exhausted.
Imagine being on the court for several hours. It is a deciding fifth set in the sweltering heat of Flushing Meadows in New York. And there is no tiebreak…..ouch!
I am not sure crowds would want to stay up all night.
But wait, there is more controversy. There is also a big debate around the best-of-three versus best-of-five sets format!
Many fans feel that the majors should stick with five-set matches for men. They think it adds something to the spectacle. It becomes as much about endurance and strategy.
On the other hand, critics say this creates disparities between different events. I am not one of them. Five-sets is the ultimate challenge in the men’s game, and I hope it stays!
Believe it or not, there is a push for shorter matches. Some argue it would help to keep viewers engaged.
More recent innovations, like no-ad scoring, have emerged. This usually receives a backlash from the players. They argue it takes away from the classic gameplay style.
For me, the ongoing debate highlights the passion there is for the sport of tennis!
Some progressive changes include the move to equal prize money in the majors. But when it comes to set format, my view is if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!
Strategies for players with different set formats
What about strategy when it comes to the number of sets in tennis? The number of sets will significantly impact a player’s approach to the court.
In a best-of-three set match, players may adopt a more aggressive style early on to secure the victory early on.
The focus is on clinching an early lead. This means that scoreboard pressure is more intense as there are fewer sets.
In the amateur game, we often have ‘fast four‘ sets in which matches are four games instead of the standard six. I approach these games differently.
One break of serve, and you are suddenly up against it. The pressure is on the server the whole time to make sure they hold serve!
On the other hand, in best-of-five sets, pacing oneself becomes crucial. Players need to conserve energy and maintain focus over a more extended period. Tiring!
Strategic shot selection and point construction become much more important. The challenge for a player is to stay mentally sharp across multiple sets. Not easy!
The number of sets also influences the style of play.
A player may play more aggressively in shorter matches. They know they have less time on the court and try to expose their opponent’s weaknesses.
In a longer five-set match, fitter players may engage in longer rallies. They do this to try to tire out their opponent. Think Nadal on clay [5]!
Ultimately, each format will require a player to approach things slightly. This will be the case both mentally and physically.
Over to you!
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