why does tennis score each game 15, 30, 40 instead of simply going 1, 2, 3 ???

Question

It's seems so strange to score this way. Is there a good reason for it ??

Answer 1

In the beginning, both rackets and tennis scoring were used for lawn tennis. With rackets scoring, a game comprised 15 aces, which could be won only by the server who remained "hand in" until the loss of a rally. Tennis scoring was adopted for the first Wimbledon Championships in 1877 and became the standard.

The origins of the 15, 30, 40 and so on are not known, but have medieval and French roots. One possible explanation is that the scoring system is based on the presence of a clock face at the end of the tennis court. A quarter move of the appropriate hand was made after each rest, with the score being called as 15, 30, or 45 as the case might be. As the hand was moved to 60, making the complete circuit, this was the game.

The term "deuce" is derived from the French "deux", an advantage of two points having to be gained.

"Love" is generally taken as being derived from the French "l"oeuf", the egg, symbolizing nothing. The term "love" can also be said to come from the English phrase "neither for love nor for money", indicating nothing. (Taken from the book entitled The Guinness Book of Tennis Facts & Feats and Fifteen Love).

**these facts come straight from http://www.about-tennis.com/**

Answer 2

Tennis scoring has its origin in medieval numerology. The number 60 was considered to be a "good" or "complete" number back then, in about the same way you'd consider 100 to be a nice round figure today. The medieval version of tennis, therefore, was based on 60 -- the four points when 15, 30, 45 (which we abbreviate to 40) and 60, or game.

Although neither of these answers is definitive, it was the closest I could come to acing the question.

Answer 3

Tennis scoring has its origin in medieval numerology. The number 60 was considered to be a "good" or "complete" number back then, in about the same way you'd consider 100 to be a nice round figure today. The medieval version of tennis, therefore, was based on 60 -- the four points when 15, 30, 45 (which we abbreviate to 40) and 60, or game.

Answer 4

All sports, well most, count by 1's, 2's or 3's, or 6's. Baseball, football, basketball, soccer, hockey....the list goes on. So tennis got creative and went for 15, 30, and 40. And they don't even call zero 0. They call it "love." Saying 15-love, sounds cooler than two to zero.

Answer 5

Tennis is somewhat a controversy as to when it was actually invented, but the scoring system must of had something to do with multiple partners in the game when it was invented.

Answer 6

When it was invented it was played by rich, snobby people who didn't want others to pick up on it thus the confusing scores (including "love" for 0).

Answer 7

Maybe it's to somehow distract you and ease the boredom. I mean you watch one volley and you've seen the whole game..

Answer 8

i dont know either i agree that it would be much simpler going 1,2,3