Definition of break point

The term "break point" in tennis originated in the late 1960s as a way to more precisely describe the critical juncture in a game where a player has the opportunity to win multiple points in succession. Before this point, the term "advantage" was used, but it only indicated that the serving player had won more points in the game than their opponent. At a break point, the player returning serve has a chance to win the game outright by successfully returning the serve and following it up with a subsequent point. This turnaround in momentum can be incredibly impactful on a game's outcome and can have a significant psychological effect on the players involved. The origins of the term "break point" can be traced back to the traditional scoring system in tennis, where a game is won by the first player to win four points. Before that threshold is reached, however, a player must win at least two points, which can present chances for either player to gain the upper hand. This concept is where the idea for "break point" originated, as it describes the critical moment in a game where a player can break through to win two successive points and ultimately take the game.