Origin of Deuce: Etymology
The origin of deuce can be traced back to the Latin word for two, duos, or perhaps more appropriately the French word for two, deux, as tennis has its roots in France.
Beyond that, it’s unclear how the number two relates to the game in the context of scoring. However, one prevailing theory suggests it stems from the following French phrase: à deux le jeu.
Of course, one can interpret the translation of this phrase as ‘to both the game,’ meaning two players with equal chances of winning the game or ‘to two the game,’ referring to either player needing two points to win the game.
It’s unlikely we’ll ever know the true origin, but I’ll leave the official debate up to the tennis historians.
Fun Fact
Despite historians pinpointing the origin of tennis in France, they don’t use the word deuce at the French Open. Instead, you’ll hear the chair umpire state “égalité,” which translates to “equality.”
Shouldn’t we avoid saying “deuce” at 40-40 when no-ad scoring is used? It makes no sense to me when people say “deuce” in this situation because two more points are not needed by anyone to win the game. I simply say “game point” because the winner of the game will be decided by the very next point.
Hi Bob,
Great question. The only place I’ve ever seen reference to this is in Section 7 of the ATP Rulebook:
“For No-Ad scoring, when the score reaches deuce, the chair should announce: ‘Deuce, Deciding Point, Receiver’s Choice.'”
I agree it’s a bit odd based on the origin and meaning behind the term that we’d use deuce in both scenarios. From a practical standpoint, I think it’s most important that it’s clear to all players regardless of what’s said, which they achieve with the chair’s required announcement.
Similarly, I think your reference to the point as ‘game point’ makes it crystal clear as well.
Thanks for sharing!
All the best,
Jon
Why is 30 all not referred to as deuce also? From that point a player needs 2 points to win.
Hi Robin,
Fair question – I’ll suppose we have to bucket the answer to in the realm of “that’s the way it is.”
All the best,
Jon
Amazing guys, simply amazing
Hi Gosia,
Thanks for the positive feedback! Glad you enjoyed it.
All the best,
Jon
Thanks so much for your clear explanation
You’re very welcome, Jules! Thanks for stopping by.
When I played tennis in school 40-50 years ago, we referred to 30-30 as “little deuce” and [later] as simply “deuce” as well. If you think about it, the same rule that one needs to win two more points (or, more accurately, to win to more points than one’s opponent) applies to 30-30 as well as 40-40.
Hi Mark,
Thanks for sharing – that’s a fun way to announce the score at 30-all.
I’ve never come across that, but that’s a bit before my time, so that may be why :)
All the best,
Jon