How it works
Tennis uses the sequence love, 15, 30, and 40, then game. At 40-40 the score is deuce, and many formats require a player to win two consecutive points from there.
What people often miss
The origin of the word should be treated as unsettled rather than presented as a proven fact. The term has been part of tennis usage for centuries.
Why this question comes up
The sport’s unusual scoring vocabulary can be confusing to first-time viewers.
Key points
- Love means zero in tennis scoring. Its exact origin is uncertain, despite popular stories connecting it to the French word for egg because an egg resembles a zero.
- Tennis uses the sequence love, 15, 30, and 40, then game. At 40-40 the score is deuce, and many formats require a player to win two consecutive points from there.
- The origin of the word should be treated as unsettled rather than presented as a proven fact. The term has been part of tennis usage for centuries.
Bottom line
Love means zero in tennis scoring. Its exact origin is uncertain, despite popular stories connecting it to the French word for egg because an egg resembles a zero.
Source and verification
This Answer was checked against International Tennis Federation. Follow the source for the full official explanation and any later updates.