Why Is 0 Called Love in Tennis? A Quirky Scoring Secret

So you’re watching a match, and the announcer says, “Forty-love.” Ever pause and think, why the heck is zero called “love” in tennis? It sounds sweet, but also kind of random, right? There’s actually a whole story behind this odd tradition, and knowing it makes watching (and playing) tennis a lot more fun.

Understanding why “love” means zero isn’t just about sounding smart at parties. It also helps when you’re following matches, especially during the pressure points when a player’s “down love” and fighting to stay in the game. You’ll see this lingo everywhere—local club courts, the US Open, even Wimbledon.

• Origins of Tennis Scoring
• Where the Term 'Love' Came From
• Popular Theories and Myths
• How Scoring Impacts Tournament Play
• Surprising Facts about Tennis Scores
• Tips: Using Scoring Quirks to Your Advantage

Origins of Tennis Scoring

Tennis scoring can seem wild if you’re used to just counting up points—the whole “15, 30, 40, game” thing throws a lot of folks off. This weird system actually goes way back to the 1300s, when French monks used to play a game called jeu de paume. Instead of rackets, they slapped balls with their hands, and their points went up in units of 15. Most historians think this tradition got carried over when modern tennis picked up in England.

So why 15, 30, and then 40? One theory points to old French clocks, which were marked in quarters: 15, 30, 45, 60. The score was supposed to go up by 15s, but at some point, 45 got shaved to 40—it’s shorter to say during a tense rally, and it caught on fast. That’s why you hear “40” instead of “45” right before someone wins a game.

Here’s a handy breakdown to help you keep the numbers straight during a match:

• 0 points = Love
• 1 point = 15
• 2 points = 30
• 3 points = 40
• 4 points = Game (if you’re two points ahead)

And if you’re wondering how long this format has stuck around, check this out:

This old-school scoring is now locked in pretty much everywhere, from Wimbledon to your neighborhood club. If you ever hear someone grumble about confusing tennis numbers, just remind them: it all goes back to medieval times. And if you want to follow tennis like a pro, knowing this history gives you a leg up. Plus, it’s a great way to break the ice with other fans!

Where the Term 'Love' Came From

The story behind calling zero "love" in tennis goes way back, and it's honestly one of those things that keeps stumping even the most hardcore fans. The most accepted explanation points to the French. In early tennis, they used the word "l’oeuf," which means "egg" in French, because an egg looks like a zero. When English speakers picked up the game, "l’oeuf" morphed into "love"—it was just easier to say, and it stuck.

Another theory is all about how players play for the fun of the game, or "for the love of the game," even if they’re not winning. But let’s be clear: this second idea is more of a cute story than a proven fact. Most experts and historians still back the French egg theory. You’ll even find old tennis books and sports columns supporting this origin all the way back to the 19th century.

By the early 1900s, British and American tennis tournaments had already made "love" the standard slang for zero. This wasn't just a quirky habit on one side of the world; it was showing up in match scores at Wimbledon and the US Open, with announcers and newspapers using the term in print.

The takeaway? Next time you hear a score called out as “forty-love,” remember: it’s not about romance—just a bit of French-to-English tennis history that made its way into modern tournaments. If you ever get a trivia question about why zero is called love in tennis, you’ll have the right answer (and probably a good story to go with it).

Just one more thing to drop into your tennis conversations. The tennis world really does have its own language.

Popular Theories and Myths

This whole “love means zero” thing in tennis has fueled a lot of wild guesses and bar arguments. Some of these theories actually make sense, while a few are just too odd to believe. Let’s break down the most common explanations and see which ones hold up.

• French 'l'oeuf' Theory: The most famous idea is that "love" comes from the French word 'l'oeuf,' which means egg. Since an egg looks like a zero, it sort of makes sense, right? Old French tennis players are said to have used this word, which eventually got mangled into "love" by English players who didn’t nail the French accent. There’s no super solid proof, but this theory gets a lot of nods from tennis historians.
• It’s All for the Love of the Game: Another story goes that people who had zero points were "playing for love"—playing just for fun, without a score on the board. This feels sweet, but there’s not much evidence outside of old sports banter.
• Nixon’s Theory: In 1937, tennis junkie Alan Little and others suggested that the term might come from a player named Love—except there’s no real record such a player ever existed. This one is a total myth.

If you ask around at a club, you’ll probably hear the "French egg" theory most. But if you dig into really old books or listen to tennis commentators, you’ll notice most agree there’s no 100% guaranteed answer. Still, the tennis world has picked a favorite—and it sticks, making tennis scoring unique compared to other sports.

How Scoring Impacts Tournament Play

The weird way tennis counting works doesn’t just make you scratch your head—it actually changes how tournaments play out. Take the word “love” in tennis. When a player starts a game at zero, the pressure ticks up quick because each point after “love” takes you closer to winning or losing that game. Early mistakes are expensive, especially at big events like the French Open or Wimbledon. If you fall behind—say, 0-40—those three little points can feel like a mountain to climb, even for pros.

This scoring style makes for wild momentum swings. Unlike sports where points build up slowly, in tennis, every single point when the score is at "love" can change the vibe of the match. One player could be cruising at 40-0, and then suddenly lose four points in a row and drop the game. It keeps fans and players on their toes because “love” doesn’t give you a cushion—it’s a cold start, every time.

The scoring system also messes with a player’s head. A lot of pros talk about how the nerves hit hardest when serving at 0-30 or 0-40. It feels like you’re starting from scratch while your opponent is already on the scoreboard. Coaches train players with drills that simulate being “down love” so they get used to fighting back, especially in high-stakes matches.

Tournament strategy is shaped by this system. For example, aggressive players sometimes go for riskier shots when their opponent is at "love" to try to rattle their confidence. In tiebreak situations, those first few points (where both sides can be at "love-all") often decide who grabs the momentum for the whole set. There’s even a stat called “love hold” for when a player wins a service game without dropping a point. Fans love seeing it in the match stats.

For anyone watching or playing, keeping an eye on the "love" moments gives you clues about who’s mentally tough. It’s not just about skills but handling the pressure of the famous tennis scoring quirks, which can flip a match upside-down in just a few points.

Surprising Facts about Tennis Scores

If you think tennis scoring is just about remembering the order—love, 15, 30, 40—get ready for some eye-openers. The whole system is packed with quirks that even regular players sometimes miss.

First off, did you know that the score of "40" is actually a weird shortcut? Older French game records show the sequence as 15, 30, 45, but somewhere along the way, "45" just got trimmed down to "40" to keep things moving and match the quick calls needed on court.

And about the famous “love” term—while we know it’s used for zero, what’s wild is you’ll only see “love” in tennis. Other major sports stick with “nil” or just say “zero.” This quirky bit has made tennis stand out for decades.

Another thing—reaching "deuce" (when it’s 40-40) actually means both players have an equal shot at the game, but the rule that you have to win by two points makes closing out a game super dramatic. This twist was designed to keep matches tense and unpredictable—anyone who’s watched a tight Grand Slam match will nod at this.

In tournaments, scoreboards almost always display zero as “love,” which means if you want to chat about a match or sound like you know your stuff, using “love” is a quick win.

• A perfect game without losing a point? That's called a "love game," because your opponent stays at love the whole way through. It’s not as common as you’d think, especially at high-level events.
• “Bagel” is tennis slang for winning a set 6–0. Why? The zero looks like a bagel, and players love their food jokes.
• The longest professional tennis match ever (Wimbledon, 2010) included 183 games, and the odd scoring actually helped players keep their cool under all those numbers.

If you’re new to tennis or want to impress someone with your knowledge, drop a few of these facts the next time you’re watching a match. With tennis, it’s not just how you play—it’s knowing the story behind the score.

Tips: Using Scoring Quirks to Your Advantage

You might not think the weird “love” scoring in tennis could actually help your game, but it can—especially if you use it to play the mental side smarter. Players and coaches with an edge know: understanding how and when to use scoring terms messes with an opponent’s head and keeps the pressure off your own nerves.

First off, any time you’re on "love" (zero) at the start of a game, remind yourself it’s a clean slate. No points lost, no points won. That kind of reset can calm nerves at big tournaments or even in weekend matches with friends. The pros do this all the time: Novak Djokovic, for example, stays totally chill at "love all," using it as a way to focus on the next point instead of the last mistake.

• tennis scoring is tricky for beginners, but knowing the terms inside out makes you seem experienced, even if you’re a beginner. Confidently call the score aloud—"Forty-love!"—and you’ll signal to opponents you’re not easily shaken.
• When you’re up "game point on love," use that moment to play aggressively. You’ve got nothing to lose. Players with a lead on love often serve bigger, trying to close out the game fast.
• Don’t let "love" get to your head if you’re the one at zero. Use it as motivation. Most major comebacks in matches happen from "love-thirty" or "love-forty". In fact, at the 2023 Australian Open, there were over 15 matches where a player came back from "love-forty" in a game to win.

Knowing the lingo also matters in tournaments and club matches. Some older players even freeze up if you call out the traditional French for “zero”—"l'œuf "—so if you want to throw off a seasoned vet, toss in a classic pronunciation during a friendly set. Just do it with a smile.

Check out this quick table on common “love” scenarios and how to flip them:

Last tip: Say the scores confidently—even if you’re behind. The right energy can shift momentum faster than you think, and that’s half the battle in tennis tournaments.