'Tennis Terminology: Love Being an Ace and Become a Winner!'

Tennis: Glossary and Terms. Ace - a serve that is a winner without the receiving tennis player able to return the ball. Ad court - the part of the tennis court that is to the left of the tennis players. Advantage - when a tennis player needs one more point to win the game after the score was deuce. Short tennis or mini tennis is ideal for developing your ball sense skills and is a good game in itself. As a cheaper version of tennis, it's popular for teaching children how to graduate to the full size game, but adults can also develop hand-eye coordination skills for it. The following list offers definitions of basic tennis terms: ace: A serve that the returner doesn’t even touch with. An ace wins the point immediately for the server. Lob: A shot that you hit with any stroke high and deep. Into your opponent’s court. You typically use a lob to get the ball. OVERVIEW Tennis is a game played on a rectangular-shaped court, which can be one of many surfaces. It is either played with two players (singles match), or four players (doubles match). Players stand on opposite sides of the net and use a stringed racquet to hit the ball back and forth to each other. A game of table tennis where two people play on each side and alternate turns at striking the ball. Down the line A stroke that's played where the ball travels parallel to the sidelines of the table.

TENNIS TERMS: A concise list of terminologies of tennis. You will find 100s of tennis terms and definitions used by players and officials, all listed from A to Z.

Tennis players and competition referees can use this vocabulary of tennis terminology. The titles and common match rulings will also help spectators and sports fans.

The official tennis rules and regulations is a good place to start if you are learning to play. This list of tennis words covers advanced tennis lingo and sports terms related to the game.

Shoot through to the most common terminology in tennis by clicking the alphabetic facility below. Or, take a break and sharpen your knowledge and understanding of the game.

Tennis Phrases

This comprehensive glossary of tennis terms and definitions continues to grow. Check in often for more words and phrases associated to tennis playing techniques and match-winning strategies.

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TENNIS TERMS: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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A - Ace

Serving an ace means you hit a winner and the receiving player was unable to return the ball.

Advantage

Advantage in tennis occurs after the score reaches 40-all and the winner of the next point will have taken the advantage.

Terms In Tennis

That means the player can win the game by taking the next point after the score was deuce.

The score reverts to 40-all if the player with advantage loses the next point.

Advantage Court (ad court)

In basic tennis terms the advantage court, abbreviated to ad court, refers to the left side section divided by the center service line and center mark at the baseline for each player.

Alley

The alley is used in doubles tennis games and it is the extra area of the side court which is bordered by the singles and doubles sidelines.

Angle-game

The angle-game refers to a style of play where you force your opponent wide of the court.

ATP

ATP is one of the abbreviated terms used in tennis. ATP stands for the Association of Tennis Professionals.

B - Backhand

The tennis backhand stroke is a swing technique where the tennis racquet hits the ball with a swing that comes across the body and struck on the opposite side of the body to the racket hand.

Backspin

Using a backspin tennis technique spins the ball and produces a slow and low bounce.

Backswing

The backswing is a motion of the swing that moves the racquet into position to swing forward and strike the ball.

Ball

A tennis ball is made mostly of rubber with a green and yellow fluffy surface coating.

Ballboys

Tennis ballboys are assistants whose role is to collect the balls and return them to the serving player.

Baseline

The baseline is a two-inch wide mark at the rear of the court indicating the back of the court area.

Baseliner (counterpuncher)

Baseliner is a tennis term describing a player whose strategy is to play predominantly from the baseline - sometimes called a counterpuncher.

Break

A break situation occurs when the server loses the game.

Break Point

Break point means the player is one point away from breaking their opponent's service game.

C - Chip

Chip is tennis terminology describing a blocking a shot and played with backspin.

Chip and Charge

Playing the 'chip and charge' is seen as an aggressive strategy in an attempt to return the opponent's serve with backspin and followed by a swift move forward to the net for a volley.

Chop

The tennis chop is one of the unusual terms used in tennis. The 'chop' is a shot played with an extreme amount of backspin and meant to stop the ball abruptly wherever it lands.

Court

According to the codified rules and regulations of tennis the rectangular tennis court is the area where a game is played.

Crosscourt

A tennis crosscourt shot is and impressive shot played diagonally across the tennis court into your opponent's court zone.

D - Deep

Deep is a tennis word describing a shot bouncing near to the baseline and some distance from the net.

Deuce

Deuce is a situation when the tennis score is 40 all in a game (40 to 40).

Deuce Court

The deuce court refers to the right side of the tennis court for each player.

Doubles

Doubles tennis games are played by four players which means there are two on each side of the tennis court.

Double Fault

Essentially a double fault occurs when a server faults twice in a row and loses one point.

Down the Line

Down the line is a tennis phrase meaning the shot has been played straight down the baseline.

Drop Shot

The drop shot is a volley where the ball drops tightly over the net. It is a tennis strategy used when the opponent is not close to the net.

Drop Volley

The drop volley is a sharp drop shot played from a volley.

E - Elbow (tennis)

Tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain around the outside of the elbow and clinically known as lateral epicondylitis. It often occurs after strenuous overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, near the elbow joint.

F - Fault

A fault occurs most often during a serve and happens when the ball does not land inside the service area on the full (service that is not in play). A player committing this service fault loses a point after two consecutive faults.

First Service

The first service is the initial delivery of the two serves of the tennis ball. Players are allowed two serves by generally the server will try to deliver the most difficult serve to return on their first service.

Flat

The word 'flat' is one of the regular terms used for tennis. Playing a flat shot means there is little or no spin on the delivery.

Follow Through

The follow through describes the part of the swing technique after hitting the ball. A good follow through in tennis is important for power and accuracy.

Foot Fault

A foot fault occurs when a server places their foot over the baseline while making a serve.

Forecourt

The forecourt refers to the area of between the service line and the net.

Forehand

For many players the forehand is their best stroke. It is a tennis swing hitting the ball from behind the body.

G - Game Point

If you have game point it defines that you are one point away from winning the tennis game.

Grand Slam

The Grand Slam refers to any one of the four most prestigious tennis tournaments including the Australian Open, Championship Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the French Open.

Grand Slam Rules

Use the guide to master the laws and official competition rules of the tennis Grand Slam®. The Grand Slam Rule Book PDF details the regulations used in all four tournaments.

Groundstroke

Playing a groundstroke is making a forehand or backhand shot after the tennis ball bounces once on the court

H - Head

Head is tennis vocabulary for the top part of the racket where the strings are attached and used to hit the ball.

Hold

Hold is a state of play when the server wins the tennis game.

I - Information

I-formation is one of tennis titles referring to a doubles game where both players stand on the same side of the tennis court in preparation of starting the point.

J - Jamming

In tennis terminology, jamming means hitting the tennis ball straight to the opponent's body which does not usually allow them to extend their racquet for the return ball.

K - Kick Serve

A kick serve is one with an emphasized amount of spin which causes the ball to bounce high.

L - Let

If the tennis ball touches the net from a service but still lands within the service box, it is considered to be a 'let'. The server serves again and this does not count as a fault as seen in the official Tennis Rules Book PDF version.

Linesman

The linesman is an official seated in a chair along the lines of the court and his role is to call whether balls are in or out.

Lob

A lob is a ball hit high in the air and lifted high above the net while attempting to land it behind the opposing player. The lob shot can be defensive in some cases, but can create a winner when the ball lands in play and out of reach of the opponent.

Love

In a glossary of tennis terms, 'love' means the player has zero points in the game.

M - Match Point

Match point occurs when one player requires only one more point to win the entire tennis match.

N - Net

A tennis net is the central barrier which separates the two halves of the tennis court.

Net Cord Judge

The official who determines whether the serve hits the net is called the net cord judge.

O - Out

A ball which lands outside the area of play is termed to be 'out'.

P - Passing Shot

Passing shots are delivered passed the opponent at the net without them being able to return the shot.

Poaching

Poaching is one of the tennis words relating to an aggressive strategy in doubles tennis games. It refers to situations where players attempt volleying shots to the baseline.

Q - Queen's Club Championships

Queens is an annual tournament for male tennis players. It is held on grass courts at the Queen's Club in West Kensington, London.

The Queen's Club Championship is an event in the ATP World Tour 500 series which is on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour calendar.

R - Racket

The racket (or racquet) is an integral piece of tennis equipment. Tennis rackets have a long handle and an oval shaped head containing the string mesh which is stretched across it. Tennis players use a racquet to hit the ball.

Rally

A rally is a series of consecutive shots played by opponents back and forth while the ball continues to land in play and before a final winner shot.

S - Second Service

The second serve is allowed after the server misses the first serve. Second serves must be successful or the server loses the point (a double fault).

Serve

The serve is an overhead shot which starts each point when the server hits the tennis ball into their opponent's half of the court.

Serve and Volley

Serve and volley is a tennis strategy whereby the player serves and then charges forward to the net in anticipation of playing a volley off of the return.

Set Point

A tennis player needing one point to win the set is said to be at set point.

Singles

Singles tennis is a game played by two players - one on each side of the court.

Spin

Playing spin is a method of stroke play which induces a pronounced rolling or rotations of the ball in the air. Skilled tennis players can control the spin and, therefore, the ball's trajectory and bounce.

They make it move sideways and forwards or backwards depending on whether the racket face moves respectively across, over or under the ball as it moves through the air.

Straight Sets

If a player wins every set in a match they are said to have won the competition in straight sets.

Stance

A player's stance refers to their body position. It refers to the terminology of tennis on how players stand prior to playing a shot.

T - Tie Break

These tennis tiebreaker rules are usually used in all major tournaments except the U.S. Open. It allows players to stay on serve instead of heading to a tiebreaker at 6-6 at the end of the fifth set decider.

The Wimbledon tie break rules continue to adhere to a 'no fifth set tiebreaker rules' regulation.

Topspin

Playing topspin causes a forward rotation of the ball after a shot. The ball spins forward often bouncing high and dipping down sharply afterwards.

U - Umpire

A tennis umpire is a match official keeping score during the competition.

Underspin

Playing underspin creates backwards rotation of the ball after a shot.

Unforced Error

An unforced error is a tennis term for a missed shot that was not caused by any particular excellent play by their opponent.

V - Volley

The volley is a shot where a player hits the ball before it makes contact with the ground.

W - Wimbledon

The Wimbledon Tennis Championship is the premier professional tennis tournament held at the All England Club in London SW19 5AE. It is the only major played on grass courts and is regarded as the oldest tennis tournament - and many would say the most famous.

Winner

A winner is a tennis shot that beats an opponent. Winners are seen as outstanding shots that cannot be returned in the normal method by the opponent.

WTA

The abbreviated acronym WTA applies to the terminology in tennis and it stands for the Women's Tennis Association.

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Tennis Terms and Definitions Glossary used by Players and Officials

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These tennis players terms and jargon are part of sports gamerisms, Define Your Game!
Tennis, part 2 continues for tennis players and fans who dream of Aces.

Tennis Players Terms: D

• Daisy Cutter: jargon for a low shot with backspin resulting in a low bounce.
• Dead Net: the accidental shot that hits the net and falls into the opponent's side of the court. Betcha, can't do that again!
• Default: the loss of a match by disqualification after four code violations have been awarded.
• Defensive Lob: term for a high shot at or close to the net.
• Defensive Volley: return tennis shot generally from below the top of the net.
• Deuce: occurs when both players have accumulated a count of 40 or three points each. Either player must attain 2 points in a row to win the match after Deuce.
• Deuce Court: location to the receiver's right service court where a serve is received following a deuce score.
• Dink: lingo for a shot hit with very little velocity.
• Dirtballer: slang for someone who is a clay court player.
• Double Fault: player action that has failed to produce a valid serve twice.
• Double Hit: occurs when the ball is struck twice during a single hit resulting in the loss of a point.
• Doubles: a game played with two players on each side and using the full court.
• Doubles Court: term for the playing area for a doubles match.
• Down the Line: jargon for tennis shot from near the sideline.
• Drag Volley: tennis shot with backspin.
• Draw: term for system of player selection and schedule of a tournament.
• Drop Shot: a shot hit easily and placed close to the net, typically when an opponent is caught far from the net near the baseline.
• Drop Volley: jargon for a ball hit before it has bounced.
  

Tennis Players Terms: E - F

• Error: a failed shot that results in a lost point.
• Fault: a serve that falls out of bounds.
• Fifteen: count for the first point of a game going to a player or side.
• First Flight: movement of tennis ball from the racket hit until just before it bounces.
• First Service: the first of two attempts by a player to serve the ball in bounds.
• Flat: lingo for a rapid, straight shot without spin. It's a whizzer!
• Follow Through: movement of arm with racket after the ball has been hit.
• Foot Fault: occurs when a player steps on the end line before making contact with the ball during a serve.
• Foot Fault Judge: game official who monitors and calls foot faults.
• Forced Error: a shot that is placed in such a way that it is missed by the opposition.
• Forehand: the act of hitting the ball with the front hand of the racket.
• Forcing Shot: tactic where a player's shot places the opponent on the defensive.
• Forecourt: specific location between the net and service line.
• Forty: count for the third point of a game going to a player or side.
• Frame: term for oval part of the racket that houses the strings.
  

Tennis Players Terms: G

• Gallery: jargon for game watchers located at the ends and sides of a court.
• Game: tennis match where the winning player or side must accumulate 4 points and lead their opponent by 2 points.
• Game Point: a serve that can decide the outcome of the match with the scoring of one point.
• Game-set-match: statement that a winner has been decided and the match has ended.
• Golden Set: the win of a set without losing a single point. Congrats are in order!
• Grand Slam: four tournaments: Australian, French, U.S. Open and Wimbledon make up the premium championship known as the Grand Slam of tennis.
• Grinding: taking your opponents best shots and running down every one, typically in a frenzied manner while refusing to give up.
• Groundstroke: the act of hitting the ball after it has bounced once in your court.
  

Tennis Players Terms: H

• Hacker: lingo for a series of swings or shots by a player that appear to be luck more than skill.
• Half Court: term for court area near the service line.
• Half Volley: action occurs when the tennis ball is struck as it hits the court.
• Head: the top portion of the racquet where the strings are found.
• Heavy Ball: jargon for tennis shot hit with topspin.
• Hit on the Rise: term for ball played before reaching the bounce high point.
• Hopper: tennis balls holder.
  

Tennis Players Terms: I - K

• In: valid tennis shot landing in the opponent's court.
• Jam: ball hit near the opposing player's body resulting in a weak return.
• Jump Smash: jargon for a player's vigorous hit while jumping into the air. A smooth move!
• Kick Serve: term for robust spinning hit resulting in a change of direction when it lands.
• Kill: lingo for a heavy hit that leaves the opponent unable to reach and play it.
  

Tennis Players Terms: L

• Lawn Tennis: name for the original tennis game location, played on grass.
• Let: a ball touching the net on the serve but landing in bounds.
• Line Judge: a person with the responsibility of ruling the ball in or out of bounds.
• Lob: a ball hit high in the air into the opponent's court.
• Long: hit that is called out of bounds as it lands beyond the opposing baseline.
• Love: tennis game where the losing player scores no points. It's lost love!
• Love set: a game set where the losing player won no games.
  

Tennis Players Terms: M

• Match: tennis game that includes games and sets where the winner is declared based on greater number of sets won.
• Match Point: the point in a game where a player can win the entire match by winning the final set with the next point.
• Mini-break: term for a loss of a point on service during a tiebreaker.
• Mixed Doubles: typical doubles tennis played with a male and female on each team.
  

Tennis Players Terms: N

• Net: suspended from a steel cable, equipment divides a tennis court into halves. Also, the verb, 'to net', refers to hitting the ball into the net.
• Net Cord: cable support for the net.
• Net Judge: game official who monitors and calls lets on service.
• Net Point: a point won by charging and playing close to the net. Usually followed by a definite Yes! with hands into fists motion.
• No-man's land: lingo for the area located between the baseline and service line where it is a challenge to hit groundstrokes or slams.
• Not Up: term for tennis ball hit at a second bound resulting in a point loss.
  

Tennis Players Terms: O

Tennis Term Game Blank

• Offensive Lob: tennis ball hit deep into opponent's court while this player is at the net.
• Open Stance: facing the opponent and hitting parallel to the baseline.
• Offensive Volley: shot taken from above the net.
• Open Tournament: both amateurs and professional tennis players are welcome.
• Open Grip: occurs when racket faces upward and away from the court.
• Open Racket: occurs when racket is held with an open grip.
• Out: term for tennis shot that ends up outside the designated playing area.
• Overhead Smash: the act of hitting down on the ball, typically on a lob with great velocity.
• Overspin: lingo for topspin.
• Over Wrap: a spongy material wrapped around a racquets grip to improve comfort and grip on the racquet.
  

Tennis Players Terms: P

• Pace: refers to the speed that the ball is hit. Do I hear a 'pick up the pace to very high?'
• Pair: doubles tennis team.
• Partner: refers to one of the two players on a doubles team.
• Pass: tennis shot that is hit past the opposing player.
• Pickup Shot: see half volley.
• Placement: strategic tennis hit that the opponent cannot play or reach.
• Poach: jargon for play by one double player that was intended for the partner of the team.
• Point: term for tennis scoring referred to as fifteen, thirty, forty, and game.
• Point Penalty: results in a point loss as determined by the umpire.
• Puddler: lingo for inexperienced player who hits plenty of chip and drop shots.
• Punch Volley: quick hit stroke.
• Pusher: a competitor who plays defensively as opposed to trying to score.
• Putaway: a perfectly placed unreturnable shot.
  

Tennis Term Game Crossword

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