Official FIP Regulations

Scoring & Match Structure

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5 articles in Scoring & Match Structure

Alternative Scoring Methods

FIP Rule 1 permits three official alternative scoring formats — the Mini Set (4 games), Match Tie-Break (7 points), and Super Match Tie-Break (10 points). All must be declared before the match.

Scoring & Match Structure

Change of Balls

The FIP rules (Rule 17) allow for balls to be changed during a match at scheduled intervals. The timing must be agreed or announced before the match starts.

Scoring & Match Structure

Changes of Sides

Players change ends after the first game of each set, then after every two games, and at the end of each set. During a tie-break, ends are changed every six points.

Scoring & Match Structure

Choice of Sides and Service

Before a match, a coin toss or racket spin determines which team chooses to serve first or which end to start from. The losing team takes the remaining option.

Scoring & Match Structure

Tie-Break Rules

A standard tie-break is played at 6 games all in any set. The match tie-break (played to 10 points) decides the third set in most professional and club formats.