How to write tennis, padel and pickleball scores, including tie-breaks and match tie-breaks.

Scores are written as a list separated by commas, from the point of view of the first player or team. How each part is counted depends on the sport.

Tennis and padel

Tennis and padel are scored in sets. Write each set as games won, for example:

6-4, 7-5

If a set went to a tie-break, you can add the tie-break score in brackets after it:

6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5)

If the match was decided by a match tie-break instead of a final set, wrap it in square brackets:

6-1, 3-6, [10-8]

A match tie-break counts as a set won, but only as one game in the game totals.

In padel, the deciding set is usually a match tie-break to 10. Golden points don't change the score, so record games as normal.

Tennis and padel standings show games for (GF), games against (GA) and game difference (GD).

Pickleball

Pickleball is scored in games. Write each game as points won, for example a 2-0 win with games to 11:

11-7, 11-9

A single game to 15 is written as:

15-11

Pickleball scores don't use tie-break brackets.

Pickleball standings show points for (PF), points against (PA) and points difference (PD).

If both sides win the same number of sets or games, the match is a draw, for example 6-4, 4-6 in tennis or 11-7, 7-11 in pickleball.