Why Do Tennis Players Change Ends?

TL;DR

Changing ends is a fairness rule. Players swap sides after game 1 and after every odd total of games—3, 5, 7 and so on—so neither player receives the same environmental conditions for an entire set.

When does the change happen?

The normal pattern is after the first game and then after every two games. In a tiebreak, players change ends after the first point and then every six points. A short set or match-tiebreak format may use its own published procedure.

What advantages are balanced?

The sun can make serving or tracking a lob difficult. Wind changes ball flight, while court wear can affect footing and bounce. Changing ends does not remove those variables, but it gives both players comparable exposure over time.

Why the changeover matters tactically

Players use the changeover to towel off, drink and reset their patterns. A server may choose safer targets on a difficult end, while a returner may attack more aggressively when the sun is behind them.

Does changing ends change the score?

No. The score and server order continue normally; only the players’ physical positions on court change.

Read how tennis scoring works, Hawk-Eye in tennis, best of three versus five sets and walkover versus retirement.

Reviewed September 29, 2026.