Tennis Terms Tips
Read these 156 Tennis Terms Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Tennis tips and hundreds of other topics.
No man's land
The area between the service line and the baseline also known as a taboo zone.
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.
Second serve
When serving, players have two chances to hit the ball in the opponent's service court. If the first attempt fails, they receive a "second serve."
Match point (match ball)
The score where a player only needs one more point to win the match.
Serve or service
Every point begins with a serve. From a position behind the baseline, the server has to hit the ball diagonally over the net into the opponent's service court. Players get two attempts to serve the ball correctly in each point. In the first point of any game or set, the serve is played from the right-hand side of the court. After this the server alternates side (from right to left and vice-versa) at the start of every new point.
Overhead Smash
Powerful shot often used to return a lob that has not been hit high or deep enough. The shot is hit in a similar manner to the serve.
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.
Baseline rally
A rally where both players repeatedly exchange shots from their respective baselines.
Double-fault
Two successive service faults from the same court (both serve attempts fail). The opponent wins the point.
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).
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.
Centre mark (center mark)
A 10.16 cm (4 in) line that marks the centre of the baseline.A 10.16 cm (4 in) line that marks the centre of the baseline. When serving, players must remain on the correct side of this mark.
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.
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.
Eastern grip
A basic tennis grip originating on the East coast of the USA. Forehand grip. Describes a grip which allows the ball to be hit easily ahead of the body and the racquet swung all the way through.
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.
Ball machine
Powered by pneumatic propulsion, a ball machine such as this one holds 135 balls and will fire them every 3 seconds at speeds of up to 33m (110ft) per second. It measures 96cm (38in)x 56cm (22in)x 33cm (13in).
Ready position
A position of readiness adopted to receive the service, which acts as a starting point for all groundstrokes and volleys.
Change of ends
The players change ends of the court regularly during tennis matches, e.g. after every "uneven" game (1,3,5) in a set.
Approach shot
A groundstroke played just before you approach the net to volley. A shot played with the aim of winning a point quickly, often hit from mid-court deep into the corner of the opponent's court. The attacking player normally goes to the net to intercept any return with a volley.
Cross court (shot)
A stroke played diagonally across the court from right court to right court or left court to left court, either long or short.
Twist serve
A service played with topspin and side spin. The ball bounces awkwardly sideways and upwards from the service court.
Kick serve
A serve with heavy spin, causing it to change direction or bounce unexpectedly when it lands in the service court. Also known as a twist serve.
Clay court
A court with a surface made of crushed shale, stone or brick. Its top surface requires regular maintenance. Plays slow.
Tie-break
This is a point scoring system designed to shorten the length of a set. It is usually brought into operation when the set score reaches six games all. During tie-breaks players are awarded points numerically. The first player with 7 points wins the set, provided he or she has a lead of 2 points, e.g. 7-5. If not, play continues until this two-point advantage lead has been established, e.g. 10-8. The score for the set is then recorded as 7-6, i.e. seven games to six.
Double-handed
A player who keeps both hands on the racket handle during the forward swing of the racket.
Lucky Loser / Playback
In some knockout tournaments, one defeat does not automatically result in elimination. Beaten players have the chance to play against other such losers, with the winners being awarded places in later rounds. These players are known as "lucky losers."
Unforced error
An error made while under no pressure from the opponent e.g. mishitting a ball.
Semicontinental grip
A combination of the forehand and backhand grips. This grip can be used for most shots, but particularly for volleys, serves and smashes.
Defensive player
A type of player who generally stays at the baseline and tries to keep the ball in play without taking risks. Players like this leave the attacking to their opponents, winning most of their points from opponent errors.
Lob
A ball sent high in the air. A high, soft return behind an opponent who has approached the net. It is frequently used to force the opponent to retreat to the back of the court to play the ball. The lob can also be used as a defensive stroke, providing time for the hitter to regain court position.
Down-the-line
Shot played approximately parallel to the sidelines as opposed to cross-court.
Follow through
Refers to the continuing travel of the racket after the ball has been struck. The follow-through affects the length, direction and speed of the ball.
Taboo zone
The area between the service line and the baseline also known as "no man's land".
Slice serve
Side spin and topspin are applied to the serve, causing the ball to keep low and change direction after bouncing. For example, slice serves from right-handed players cut sharply away to the left. This serve is particularly well-suited to grass or indoor courts, because these surfaces slow the ball down less than hard courts.
Offensive player
Offensive players use aggressive tactics in an attempt to force errors from their opponents. They take risks in order to win points quickly. Offensive players often have a good serve and can volley well, in which case they usually employ "serve and volley" tactics -serving powerfully and trying to volley the return of serve for a winner.
Mini-break
When the server loses the point during a tie-break, this is referred to as a mini-break.
Synthetic courts
A court with a surface made of artificial grass, polyurethane, synthetic rubber or other synthetic materials. Can be fast or slow.
Stringing
The elasticity of the strings depends on the tension with which the racquet is strung. In general, gut strings are more elastic than synthetic strings, as a result of which they are generally strung more tautly. Players who like to hit the ball fast and hard usually
prefer tauter strings. Touch players, by contrast, tend to prefer slightly slacker stringing.
Service line
The service line runs parallel to the net. Together with the center line and sideline, it demarcates the boundaries of the service courts.
Line judge
Line judges have the task of deciding whether a ball has landed in the court or outside. Their decisions can only be overruled by the umpire.
Stay with the ball
Refers to following through in the direction of your shot after hitting the ball.
Exhibition matches
Matches arranged outside competitions as a form of public entertainment. The top 10 players in the world rankings can earn enormous sums in appearance money for exhibition matches.
Baseline tennis
A tactical approach whereby players remain at the baseline and attempt to wear their opponents down through long rallies, or - should the opportunity arise - to win the point with a passing shot.
Hard court
A tennis court whose surface is made out of asphalt, concrete or a similar material.
Flat serve
A flat service is hit without spin and follows a low, straight trajectory. Given the high risk of hitting the net, it is generally better-suited for first serves.
IMG
International Management Group - one of the large Sports Management agencies that manage the affairs of a large number of tennis players and run some of the pro tournament events. Advantage International and ProServ are the other main Agencies with tennis playing clients, although there are also a number of smaller agencies.
Qualifying competition
Tournament giving low-ranked players the opportunity to qualify for the tournament proper.
Grass court
Grass courts are becoming less and less common because of the time and money needed to maintain them. They are dependent on good drainage. Fast-playing surface.
Wildcard
Irrespective of their positions in the rankings, an organizer can invite one or more players to take part in a tournament, offering them wildcards. This gives event organizers the opportunity of offering places to promising young players, or alternatively to stars who have failed to register in time for the tournament.
Foot fault
A fault called when a player steps on to or over the baseline while serving, before actually striking the ball. Foot faults also occur if the player fails to serve from a static position.
Sport Psychology
Skill development; the coach-parent-player relationship coaching effectiveness; stress regulation (relaxation and energizing methods); goal-setting; concentration and attentional training; use of imagery and visualization; staleness and burnout; and characteristics of peak performers.
Topspin
The way that a ball rotates. When a player strikes the ball so that it spins from low to high as it travels forward. The top of the ball spins forwards against air resistance, forcing the ball down. When you play topspin shots aim higher over the net than for a basic drive. The top of the ball spins forwards against air resistance, forcing the ball down. When you play topspin shots aim higher over the net than for a basic drive. Topspin enables a player to strike
the ball with more power, because the added spin helps to bring the ball down and keep it in play.
Biomechanics
Adding power; the effect of spin; balance and control; stroke mechanics; development of power and speed; and string tension.
Tennis Court
A 78 ft (23.8 m) long area, divided into two equal sides by a net standing 3 ft (0.9 m) high at the center of the court. For singles the court is 27 ft (8.2 m) wide. For doubles the addition of alleys 4.5 ft (1.4 m) wide along the two longer sides increases the width to 36 ft (11 m). Courts may be of grass, clay, asphalt, concrete, wood, artificial grass, or other synthetic materials.
Short tennis
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. It is played on a badminton-sized court - 13.4 x 6.1m (44 x 20 ft) - with the centre-net height at 80cm (2ft 7 in). Rackets are short, lightweight and mainly plastic, and the ball is soft foam or low compression. Scoring is on "first to 11 points" basis, with a 2-point lead required after 10-10.
'Shake hands'
"Shake Hands" refers to the basic Eastern Forehand Drive grip. You shake hands with the racket and keep that grip.
Sport Physiology
Periodization; training to prevent injuries and develop power and strength; circuit training; flexibility training; and aerobic vs. anaerobic activity.
WTC
Women's Tennis Council - A board comprised of executive types from the WTA (4), directors of women's tournaments (4), and the ITF (see below - 2), that carries a lot of weight in the organization and politics of women's tennis. There is no equivalent in the men's game (although there used to be). As of 1995, the WTC was renamed as the WTA TOUR Council.
Tie-breaker
Used to determine who wins a set in case of a tie. The first player to win seven points, leading by two, wins.
