How Tennis Doubles Serving Order Works Explainer
In doubles, each team chooses which partner serves first in the opening set. The opponents choose for the second game, and the four players then serve in that alternating order through the set: one partner, an opponent, the other partner, then the other opponent.
At the start of a new set, partners may reverse their internal order. They may not switch it midway through the set simply for a favorable matchup. A tiebreak follows the established sequence with its special one-point then two-point service pattern.
If the wrong partner serves, officials correct the order as soon as the mistake is discovered. Points already played stand. If an entire service game is completed before discovery, the altered order remains for the rest of that set to preserve the rotation.
Serving order is separate from receiving order. The receiving team also chooses which partner receives in each deuce and advantage court for the set. Tracking the last server and the side of the court prevents most confusion during long matches.
No. Their chosen serving order remains fixed until the next set begins.
The order is corrected when discovered, while completed points remain valid.
Yes. Partners can choose which player serves first at the start of each set.
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