Lawn Tennis Terms

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There are a lot of different tennis terms used by tennis players and fans. If you want to be a tennis player then you should be familiar with almost all of these terms!

(Tennis) tennis played on a grass court 2. Orange Lawn Tennis Club is permitted to revise these Terms at any time as it sees fit, and by using this Website you are expected to review these Terms on a regular basis. ASSIGNMENT The Orange Lawn Tennis Club is allowed to assign, transfer, and subcontract its rights and/or obligations under these Terms without any notification.

Tennis Terms

Ace

A serve that lands inside the lines and is untouched by the opponent

Advantage

The point that follows a deuce score. If the player wins this point he wins the game, otherwise it goes back to deuce!

Ad-Court

The left side of the tennis court. It is called Ad-Court because the ad points are always played from this side.

Approach Shot

A shot that the player follows to the net is called an approach shot

ATP

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) is the governing body of men’s Tennis!

Backspin

On a shot with backspin the ball rotates backwards. These shots usually stay pretty low

Break

When you win a game during which your opponent was serving that is called a break in Tennis!

Break Point

The receiver is said to have a break point whenever he is in a situation where a point won results in him winning the game off of the server.

Cross-Court

A shot that is hit diagonally into the opponent?s court

Deep

A shot that lands very close to the baseline rather than short around the service line

Deuce

An expression that is used when the actual score is 40-40

Deuce-Court

The right side of the tennis court. It is called Deuce-Court because all deuce points are played from this side

Double Bagel

A match that ends with the score 6-0 6-0 is often called a double bagel in tennis circles. One of the funniest tennis terms in my opinion

Double Fault

The server has two serves to start the point. Whenever he misses both he looses one point in the game and this situation is called a double fault.

Doubles

When you have four players on the court and two are playing against two this is called a doubles match.

Down the Line

A shot that is hit straight along the sideline into the opponent?s court

Error

Any shot in Tennis that does not land within the lines that it is supposed to land within is called an error

Foot Fault

The server is not allowed to move over or even touch the baseline during his service motion. If he does so it is a so-called foot-fault and his serve is considered a fault.

Forced Error

When Player 1 hits a really good shot that forces Player 2 to miss that is called a forced error

Groundstroke

Whenever the ball bounces on your side before you hit it that is called a Groundstroke. Forehands, Backhands, and Slice Backhands are all groundstrokes.

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Hold

When you win your service game it is called a hold.

Inside-Out Forehand

What Are The Terms Used In Lawn Tennis

Tennis commentators often mention the so-called inside-out forehand. This is a situation where a player hits a forehand, usually from the backhand side of the court, towards the backhand side of his opponent. The ball takes an inside-out swing pattern and therefore the shot is called an inside-out forehand

Kick Serve

A serve hit with lots of topspin. The ball usually jumps high on this kind of shot!

Let

The umpire calls a let whenever a serve touches the net and still lands in the service box. The serve is then replayed

Match Point

When you have match point you only need to win one more point to win and end the entire match.

Mini-Break

If you win a point on your opponents serve during a tiebreak that is called a mini-break

Moonball

A shot hit very high over the net. These are usually defensive shots and many tennis player dislike playing against players that hit moonballs. Just hearing the tennis term “Moonball” can cause some tennis players to get into a bad mood.

Overhead

When you are at the net and your opponent tries to lob you with a high shot you will hit an overhead.

Singles

Whenever two players play a match against each other in tennis it is called a singles match

Smash

Same thing as an overhead.

Tiebreak

A tiebreak is played when the score in a set reaches 6:6. The tiebreak is played up to 7 points and the idea is to bring the set to an end because without a tiebreak it could take forever

Underspin

This is another expression for backspin. The ball rotates backwards and stays low on these shots

Unforced Error

When Player 1 misses an easy shot that is called an unforced error

Tennis

Volley

Whenever your hit the ball before it bounces on your side it is called a volley

Wild Card

To get into many tournaments you need to have a certain rankings position. If you do not have that position the tournament officials can award you a wild card. With a wild card young players can often enter pro tournaments that they usually could not enter according to the ranking system

So that’s it for the tennis terms explanations. If you think a tennis term is missing then feel free to send me an email and I will include it!

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


Lawn Tennis Terms Meaning

  • 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
  • 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 Players Terms is followed by terms R - Z
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