How many sets are in a tennis match?
B · Beginner · How do you score and win? · 4 of 8Checked 13 October 2026
A tennis match is the best of three sets (win two) or the best of five (win three). The event decides which. There are no draws. A match also ends if a player retires or is defaulted.
How it works
- Best of three: the first to two sets wins.
- Best of five: the first to three sets wins.
- The event announces the format, including how the final set is decided.
- Men's singles at the four Grand Slams is commonly best of five; most other professional matches are best of three. That is each event's choice, not a rule of tennis.
Tricky cases
Can a tennis match end in a draw?
No. The formats in the rules always produce a winner.
Do women play five sets?
It depends on the event. The rules allow best of three or best of five for anyone.
Why the rule exists
Sets give several fresh starts within a match, so one bad spell does not decide it.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ITF rules | Best of three or best of five | L7 |
| Match tie-break, if the event uses it | A tie-break to seven or ten replaces the final set | App VI (3), (4) |
| Grand Slams, ATP, WTA | Their own rulebooks choose the format | Not covered |
From the rule book
ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 7 and Appendix VI. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: ITF Rules of Tennis (PDF).