3rd International Tennis Federation - International Congress on Tennis Science and Technology, held: London, England, 10-12 September 2007

Some alternative men's doubles scoring systems

Comparison of Winning Probabilities under Various Scoring Methods in Doubles Tennis Match

In this paper a family of scoring systems for tennis doubles for testing the hypothesis that pair A is better than pair B versus the alternative hypothesis that pair B is better than A, is established. This family or benchmark of scoring systems can be used as a benchmark against which the efficiency of any doubles scoring system can be assessed. Thus, the formula for the efficiency of any doubles scoring system is derived. As in tennis singles, one scoring system based on the play-the-loser structure is shown to be more efficient than the benchmark systems. An expression for the relative efficiency of two doubles scoring systems is derived. Thus, the relative efficiency of the various scoring systems presently used in doubles can be assessed. The methods of this paper can be extended to a match between two teams of 2, 4, 8, …doubles pairs, so that it is possible to establish a measure for the relative efficiency of the various systems used for tennis contests between teams of players. Key pointsA relatively straightforward expression or formula for the efficiency of a tennis doubles scoring system has been established.The expression for the relative efficiency of two tennis doubles scoring systems is a simple one, and is the same as that for two singles scoring systems.The methodology of this paper can be used and extended so that the efficiency of a scoring system for a match between two teams of doubles pairs can be measured.

The Efficiency of Tennis Doubles Scoring Systems

Tennis has used many different scoring systems throughout its history. Researchers have been examining these scoring systems for over forty years. While several intuitive themes have emerged, no systematic examination on how different scoring systems affect the stronger player’s probability of winning over a range of serving strengths has been done. This research study used simulation to examine the three most common scoring systems used in the United States and their effect on match win probability, total points played, and expected length of the match. Moving from ad to no ad or 10-point scoring can result in a more than 3.5% and 5% respective decrease in the probability of the stronger player winning a match. When applied to NCAA Division I team tennis, moving from ad to no ad can decrease the stronger team’s probability of winning by over 4%. Changes between scoring systems are more pronounced at relatively weaker serving strengths.

The Effects of Different Scoring Systems on Upset Percentage and Match Length in Tennis: A Simulation Study

In recent times a range of best of five and best of three sets tennis scoring systems has been used for elite men’s doubles events. These scoring system structures include advantage sets, tie-break sets, match tie-breaks, tie-break games, advantage games and no-ad games. Several tournament organizers, tennis administrators, players and ATP Tour representatives are interested in comparing the characteristics of these various scoring systems. These characteristics include such things as the likelihood of each pair winning, and the mean, the variance, and the ‘tails’ of the distribution of the number of points played under the various systems. In this paper these characteristics and the distribution of the number of points in a match are determined for these various doubles scoring systems at parameter values that are relevant for elite men’s doubles. Advantage games and no-ad games, both approved alternatives within the rules of tennis, are considered, as is the ‘50-40’ game.

The characteristics of various men's tennis doubles scoring systems

(2005). On Solving an Aspect of Unfairness in the Tennis Doubles Scoring System. CHANCE: Vol. 18, Truth is Slower than Fiction: Francis Galton as an Illustration, pp. 17-19.

Graham Pollard

Papers

On Solving an Aspect of Unfairness in the Tennis Doubles Scoring System