Break

Break means to win a game as the receiving player or team, thereby breaking serve. At high level of play the server is more likely to win a game, so breaks are often key moments of a match. Noun: break (service break) (e.g. “to be a break down” means “to have, in a set, one break fewer than the opponent”, “to be a double break up” means “to have, in a set, two breaks more than the opponent”).

In tennis, a break is actually a break of serve. If you are serving and you lose the game, it means your opponent broke your serve. Your service game gives you an advantage because you are the one throwing the ball onto the court first and you can win points through aces, unreturned serves, or serve and volleys.