The Origin of Tennis Scoring

The scoring system in tennis—15, 30, 40—has puzzled many, but its origins trace back to medieval France. While the exact reason remains debated, here are the most widely accepted theories.

• One of the most popular theories suggests that the scoring system was based on a clock face.
• Points were originally counted as 15, 30, 45, and 60, where a game was won at 60 (a full revolution of the clock).
• Over time, 45 was shortened to 40 to allow for better communication and flow of the game.

• Another theory connects tennis scoring to currency used in medieval France.
• A wager of 15 deniers (French coins) may have been placed on the first point, 30 deniers on the second, and 40 deniers on the third.
• The game was won when the full bet was met, possibly explaining the jump from 40 to the game-winning point.

• Tennis evolved from the French game "Jeu de Paume", played in the 12th century.
• In Jeu de Paume, players advanced 15 feet after each point was won, but due to space constraints, the last movement was reduced from 15 to 10 feet, potentially explaining the shift from 45 to 40 in modern scoring.

• The term "deuce" comes from the French phrase "à deux le jeu", meaning "the game is at two," indicating both players need to win two consecutive points to secure victory.
• This advantage system ensures that a player must win by two clear points, preventing games from being won too quickly.