Tennis stats explained: Aces, break points, unforced errors & more
Tennis is a sport full of different statistics that can give you an insight into a player’s performance, biggest strengths and where they need to improve.
However, if you’re new to the game, these can be a bit of a minefield to try and understand – that’s where we come in.
Want to know what a break point is? The difference between a forced and an unforced error? Or how tennis shot quality is worked out? No problem.
We’ve pulled together a full tennis stats glossary – explaining every key statistic you need to know to become an expert.
Tennis stats glossary
|
Ace |
When a player hits a serve that lands in and their opponent fails to touch it - winning them the point. |
|
Average rally length |
The average number of shots hit in each rally throughout the match. |
|
Break point |
A scenario where the returner can win the game (AKA break serve) if they win the next point. A returner would have break point on any of the following scorelines in a game 0-40, 15-40, 30-40, or advantage receiver (40-AD). |
|
Break points converted |
When a player wins a break points as a returner - resulting in a break of serve. |
|
Break points saved |
When a player wins a break point as the server - preventing their opponent from breaking their serve. |
|
Double fault |
When the server hits a fault on both their first and second serve. This results in a point for their opponent. |
|
Fastest serve |
The fastest serve recorded by a player in a match. This is either measured in Kilometres per hour (km/h) or Miles per hour (mph). |
|
Foot fault |
When a player steps on or over the baseline while hitting a serve. This counts as a fault and the serve doesn't count, regardless of whether it lands in. |
|
Forced error |
When a player makes an error - hitting the ball out or into the net, as a result of pressure from their opponent or a shot that has put them in a difficult hitting position. This typically happens in a defensive situation. |
|
Head-to-head record |
How many times two players have faced each other and how many matches each player has won. |
|
Net points won |
The number of points won in a match when a player comes into the net. |
|
Return points won |
The number of points a player wins when they are returning their opponent's serve. |
|
Serve percentage |
How often a player lands their serve in, expressed as a percentage over the match. This is often broken down further into first serve percentage and second serve percentage. |
|
Serve points won |
The number of points won when a player is serving. First serve points won: Number of points won after a player lands a first serve. Second serve points won: Number of points won after a player lands a second serve. |
|
Shot quality |
A player's shot quality is calculated based on the ball characteristics and the impact it has on their opponent - analysing the spin, speed, depth and width of the shot. This can be calculated for the forehand, backhand, serve and return. Shot quality is measured on a scale of 0-10. |
|
Total points won |
The total number of points a player wins across a whole match. |
|
Unforced errors |
When a player makes an error - hits the ball out, into the net, etc - as a result of their own mistake, rather than pressure from their opponent. |
|
Unreturned serves |
When a player wins the point directly from their serve. However, unlike an ace, the returner makes contact with the ball, but it doesn’t land in the court. |
|
Winners |
When a player hits a shot that their opponent is unable to return or get a racket to - directly winning the point. |
FAQs
While every stat tells a story, the most revealing ones are usually first serve percentage, first serve points won, break points saved and converted, and unforced errors. Together, these highlight a player’s success on serve, consistency, and control under pressure.
Yes, surface type has a major impact on stats. Grass courts favour aces and shorter rallies, clay courts produce more breaks of serve and longer rallies, and hard courts sit somewhere in between.
Modern tennis stats are gathered using a mix of human scorers and advanced technology, including Hawk-Eye ball-tracking systems and high-speed cameras that monitor serve speed, ball placement, and player movement.
Absolutely. Players and coaches analyse stats to identify patterns, weaknesses, and tendencies, for example, whether a player struggles on second serve points or prefers forehand winners from a particular area of the court.