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Tennis · Glossary

What is Break Point (Tennis)?

A point at which the returner can break the server’s service game — the most critical point in tennis.

A break point occurs when the returner leads 30-40, 0-40, or 15-40 in a service game. If converted, the returner breaks serve and takes a lead in the set. Break points are the pivotal moments in matches — converting break point opportunities and saving break points on your own serve are the most predictive factors of match outcomes in professional tennis. Break point conversion rates of 40-50% are considered strong at tour level.

Key points
  • Score where returner can win the game
  • 0-40, 15-40, 30-40 are break point scores
  • 40-50% conversion is strong at tour level
  • Saving break points on serve is equally important

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