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Glossary of Tennis Terms: What to Know Before You Play

Tennis is a centuries-old sport known for its elegance, power, and strategic play, but to those who've never played, listening to people talk about the game can be confusing. From the precise serve that kicks off each point to the intense rallies that keep spectators on the edges of their seats, every part of tennis has its own terminology, and understanding what these terms mean can be key to fully enjoying the game, whether you want to get some equipment and start playing or just sit back and enjoy a match from the stands.

   

  • Ace: A serve that the opponent fails to touch, resulting in a point for the server  
  • Ad Court: The left side of the court when facing the net, named for the advantage point   
  • Advantage: The point scored after deuce, giving the player a chance to win the game with the next point 
  • Alley: The narrow strips of court on the sides used in doubles matches   
  • Approach Shot: A shot that a player follows to the net, aiming to close in for a volley  
  • Backhand: A stroke made on the opposite side of the dominant hand
  • Backspin: A shot where the ball rotates backward, often causing it to stay low and bounce minimally
  • Baseline: The farthest boundary lines at the ends of the court
  • Break: Winning a game as the receiver of the serve
  • Break Point: A point which, if won by the receiver, results in a break of serve 
  • Crosscourt: A shot that travels diagonally across the court.
  • Deuce: A score of 40-40, requiring a player to win two consecutive points to win the game
  • Double Fault: When the server fails to get either of their two serve attempts into the service box, resulting in a loss of the point
  • Doubles: A match where teams of two play against each other
  • Drop Shot: A lightly hit shot that just clears the net and drops quickly
  • Fault: A serve that fails to land in the service box
  • Foot Fault: An error that occurs when the server steps over the baseline before hitting the ball
  • Forehand: A stroke made on the same side as the dominant hand
  • Game: A segment of a set, completed when one player or team wins four points and leads by at least two
  • Ground Stroke: A shot hit from the back of the court after the ball has bounced
  • Half Volley: A shot hit immediately after the ball bounces, often near the player's feet
  • Let: A serve that touches the net but lands in the service box, allowing the server to retake the serve 
  • Lob: A high, arching shot intended to pass over an opponent at the net
  • Love: A score of zero
  • Match: A series of sets played to determine a winner
  • Match Point: A point which, if won, wins the match for the player or team
  • Net: The barrier stretched across the center of the court, which the ball must clear
  • Overhead: A stroke played above the head, typically in response to a lob
  • Rally: A sequence of back-and-forth shots between players to win a point
  • Receiver: The player who returns the serve
  • Serve: The shot that begins each point, hit from behind the baseline into the opposite service box
  • Service Box: The area where the serve must land to be considered in play
  • Set: A collection of games, which is typically won by the first player to win six games by a margin of two
  • Sidelines: The boundaries that run the length of the court 
  • Slice: A shot with side spin that causes the ball to curve and bounce low
  • Smash: An aggressive overhead shot usually hit to end the point
  • Spin: The rotation imparted to the ball, affecting its bounce and trajectory
  • Tiebreak: A special game played to decide a set when the score is tied at 6-6
  • Topspin: A shot with forward spin, causing the ball to dip sharply
  • Umpire: The official responsible for enforcing the rules during a match
  • Underspin: Another term for backspin, where the ball rotates backward
  • Volley: A shot hit before the ball bounces on the ground
  • Wild Card: An entry into a tournament granted to a player who has not qualified through normal means
  • Wrist Snap: A quick motion of the wrist used to generate spin and power, particularly on serves and overheads

 

    Additional Tennis Resources

 

Learn about the author: Nic Breedlove