Tennis Court Terms

Glossary of tennis court terms

Ok, Court-terms-specialist-to-be :-) Here are the common court terms! Any other tennis terminology will likely be found in tennis terminology

Ace

When a server hits a serve that the opponent does not physically touch.

Ad-side

A diagonal half of the court, it is always both players left side of the court.

All-court player

A player who is comfortable playing from anywhere in the court.

Approach shot

A shot that the player follows into the net.

Backspin

A spin that rotates the ball backwards. Achieved by hitting a slice.

Baseline

The line that defines the end of the tennis court.

Baseliner

A player who likes to play from the Baseline, and is less comfortable at the net or serving.

Break point

A decisive point in which the player returning the serve has a chance to win the opponents service game.

Broken serve

If the player returning the serve wins the break point, he is said to have broken serve.

Center line

The small line found on the center of the baseline, dividing the forehand and backhand side of the tennis court.

Change sides

One of the many court terms describing the players switching ends of the court. After the first game of each set and every two games of the remaining set, the players change sides to keep things fair.

clay

A type of tennis court which is made out of compressed clay. Can be green or red.

continental grip

A way of holding the racquet. Most common for the serve and volley.

Deuce

When the two players are tied at 40 all. That is, having won three points each.

Double fault

When a player misses both first and second serve, it is called a double fault.

Drive volley

The shot that Andre Agassi was well known for! Playing a ground-stroke of a ball before it bounces. A swinging volley.

Drop shot

A shot designed to land short with backspin.

Fault

When a player misses the first serve the umpire shouts "Fault".

Foot fault

If the player touches the baseline with his feet before contacting the ball in the service motion, it is called a foot fault. If it was a first serve the player then has a second serve, if it was a second serve they loose the point.

Game

A short four point contest which must be won be two clear points. A player will serve the for a whole game then the other player will serve for the next.

Game point

The final point in the game. If won, the player wins the game and a new game starts.

Loop

Is technical circle that the player makes when he takes his or her racquet back.

Receiver

The player who returns the serve

Set

A competition, first to six games. The match is best of three sets. Grand slams is best of 5.

Smash

A overhead stroke while at the net

stop volley

A short volley. The pace is taken of the ball and the ball is effectively stops when it bounces.