Volley

Occurs when a player strikes the ball before it bounces. The volley is most often employed when a player is playing close to the net. The half volley is a low return of the ball just after it has bounced.

Sidelines

The boundary lines of the court lengthwise.

Fault

Called if the ball is served into the net, or if it strikes the net before hitting the opponent´s court outside the service box or before exiting the court altogether.

Backhand

For right-handed players this is a stroke played on the left hand side of the body, with the back of the hand towards the net.

Rally

An exchange of strokes after the service has been
delivered.

Baseline rally

A rally where both players repeatedly exchange shots from their respective baselines.

Set

Singles: Usually composed of six games unless there is a tie at six. If there is a tie at six, a tie-breaker is used to determine the winner of the set. There are six games in a set and three or five sets in a match.There are six games in a set and three or five sets in a match. Doubles: In dual format, a "pro set" is used, which is composed of eight games.

Forehand

A stroke played on the right hand side of the body for right handed players and on the left hand side for left handed players.

Advantage

The score that follows one point played beyond deuce. If a player wins the "advantage" point, he or she wins the game.

Continental grip

Name of the service grip that originated in Britain. Method of holding the racquet for playing powerful backhands, serves, volleys and smashes. The most common grip for forehand and backhand strokes.

Let

When play is interrupted a let is called and the point replayed. If the ball touches the net and then falls into the diagonally opposite service box, a let is called, and the server is permitted to serve again. When a service let is called, only the service in question is replayed.

Hopper

The container for balls in a ball machine or a separate basket for holding large quantities of tennis balls.

Hitting area / zone

The general area of the court where you strike the ball.

Underspin

The way that a ball rotates. Occurs when a player strikes the ball so that it spins from high to low as it travels forward. The bottom of the ball spins against air resistance, which forces the ball upwards.

Underspin shots need to travel much lower over the net than basic drives unless you are playing an underspin lob. This shot is called a slice. Underspin causes the ball to lose speed and to bounce lower.

Twist serve

A service played with topspin and side spin. The ball bounces awkwardly sideways and upwards from the service court.

Best of three (or five)

Refers to the maximum number of sets in any match. In "best of three" matches, players need to win two of the three sets. In men´s tennis, most matches are "best of five," i.e. a match finishes when a player has won three sets.

Serve and volley

A tactic where players serve and then rush to the net with the aim of playing a winning volley off the opponent´s return.

Stop volley

A volley where the player takes the pace off the ball,so that it drops softly on the other side of the net -making it difficult or impossible for the opponent to reach.

Love

In tennis scoring love means nothing, hence love-thirty is 0-30. A common (but unproven) explanation for the term "love" to signify a score of zero is that it originates from the French term "l´oeuf." Another explanation is based on the idea that to do something for love is to do something for nothing (zero).

Second flight

The flight of the ball after it has bounced.