Why is the scoring in tennis so goofy?

Question

why does the point system go from 15 to 30 and then 30 to 40? wouldn't it be logical for it go to 45 instead of 40? what the heck is going on here??

Answer 1

It was very probably 15-30-45.It was just reduced to saying 40 for convenience.

Tennis is a very old sport.Lawn tennis was developed from the far older version.It is called Real tennis now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Tennis

It is still played.

http://www.irtpa.com/

This old indoor form of tennis was very popular in France.Alot of the terminology of tennis comes from northern France,and the Frisian area of the Netherlands.

The scoring seems to based on a few things;First it was a common division of numbers in France.There was a coin called the "Great Penny of Tours",that was worth about fifteen cents.Gambling was very common in tennis matches.There is evidence that this coin was used to bet (in increments of fifteen) on some sporting contests at this time.There is no absolute proof of it's use in tennis,but it would seem  likely.Some have suggested clocks had an influence.The times of fifteen minutes,thirty,and fortyfive minutes.I think when you consider the commoness of gambling,and the rarity of clocks,I would believe the coinage caused the scoring.

I think the point scoring has been retained due to tradition,and to distinguish it from the game score.

Answer 2

Originally, tennis scoring was 15, 30, 45, game. But since "40" is easier (lazier) to say than "45" it was just shortened to "40" instead.

It's the same when a lot of people will say "30-5" instead of "30-15", just because it's shorter to say.

Answer 3

Brits

The also like standing in Ques for the loo at wimbledon after having a cuppa.

Answer 4

I don't know exactly, but I think I heard somewhere about a king who came up wit hthe game who got to choose everything about it, the scoring, EVERYTHING... I'm not sure exactly, but I heard that once...

Answer 5

ive wondered that, but you could always count 1....2....3... and the first to four wins the game, as long as youre playing for fun

Answer 6

umm idk i guess that's just the rules

Answer 7

No-body knows the real answer.It's though that it did originally come from the clock positions 15/30/45etc but somewhere along the line some goon decided to change it to the size of artillary guns which are 15mil (not millimetres)30 and 40.This seems to have stuck.Tennis is further confused by us claiming it's invention but tennis and deuce and love are french in origin.Serve comes from servant.It was considered vulgar by polite society to serve overarm so the servant would put the ball in play