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A
ace: A legal serve that is not touched by the receiver.
advantage: The game point following deuce. If the player wins at "advantage," he/she wins the game.
alley: The extra width on the left and right side of the court--between the baselines and net--that may be used during doubles.
approach shot: A shot used from near the baseline as a player maneuvers closer to the net.
B
backcourt: The court area between the service line and the baseline.
backhand: A stroke hit on the non-dominant side of a player's body; for a right-hander, a backhand is off the left side.
backswing: The movement of preparation for a groundstroke when the racquet is pulled backward.
baseline: The line at the backcourt that is parallel to the net. It's the line from which the serve is hit.
break (of service): Happens when the server loses a game.
bye: A free pass to the next round (usually the second round) of a tournament. A seeded players is often awarded a bye if there are not enough players in the draw.
C
center line: Refers to the line perpendicular to the center of the net--dividing the service boxes--and the line at the baseline.
changeover: the 90-second period between odd games in which players take a rest and switch court ends. Also called "change of ends."
cross-court shot: A ball his diagonally across the court, as opposed to down-the-line.
D
deuce: A tied game score at 40-40.
double-fault: Two consecutive failed serves on the same point. Results in the receiver winning a point.
down-the-line shot: A shot hit parallel to the sidelines, not cross-court.
drive: A hard, almost flat stroke with little topspin.
drop shot: A soft, short shot with backspin that just makes it over the net.
E
F
first-serve percentage: The percentage of first serves hit successfully into the service box.
flat serve: A generally powerful serve hit without spin.
foot fault: A service fault that occurs when the server steps onto or beyond the baseline, sideline, or center line mark before striking the ball.
footwork: Refers to a player's movement to get into position for the next stroke.
forecourt: The court area comprising the service boxes.
forehand: Ground stroke hit from a player's dominant side; the right side of a righty.
G
game: Comprised of a series of points when the same individual is serving; the first player to win four points, or in the case of tie to win by two points, wins a game. There are at least six games in a set.
game point: The point at which the leading player can win the game.
Grand Slam: The achievement of winning the four major tournaments in one calendar year
groundstroke: Any stroke used after the ball has bounced.
H
half-court: The section of the court around the service line
half-volley: When the ball is hit immediately after the bounce in the forecourt.
I
J
kick serve: A serve with such heavy spin that it can change direction upon hitting the ground.
L
let: A point that must be replayed. Usually occurs when a serve hit the net, but lands legally.
lob: A shot that arcs high over the net. Used to bypass an opponent at net or gain time to recover court position.
love: A score of zero.
M
match: A series of sets (such as two out of three, or three out of five) that declares a winner.
match point: The point at which the leading player can win the match if the point is successful.
mini-break: When a server loses the point during a tie break.
N
O
P
passing shot: A shot placed to the side of and out of reach of a player at the net.
point: When a player commits a foul or hits the ball out of play a point ends and the opposition is awarded the point.
Q
R
S
second serve: When serving a player has two chances to put the ball into the service box. This refers to the second of these serves.
seeding: A graded list of the best players entering a tournament.
serve-and-volley: A strategy in which a player serves and immediately comes to the net in hopes of putting away the next shot.
service line: On each side of the net there is one of these lines a little more than halfway to the baseline and parallel to the baseline.
set: A portion of a match won when a player wins 6 or 7 games and two more than their opponent.
set point: A point in which one player, by winning, will be awarded the set.
sidespin:Any spin put on the tennis ball that causes it to rotate parallel to the ground.
slice: For a ground stroke, see chop. For a serve, see slice serve.
slice serve: A serve in which the racquet scrapes across the ball from left to right (for a right handed) and creates sidespin.
spin: Any rotation of the ball while it travels through the air. Spin can alter the trajectory and bounce of the ball.
T
tie break: Decides the winner of a set if the score reaches 6-6. Click to the right for more information.
topspin: A spin in which the front of the ball (in the direction it is travelling) rotates down while the back of the ball rotates up.
U
unforced error: An error made by a player on a shot that is not considered difficult (i.e. the opponent did not "force" the error).
V
volley: Stroke in which a player hits the ball before it bounces.
W
warm-up: A period in which players hit practice strokes and loosen up before starting a more rigorous practice or competition.
wildcard: Players that are allowed into a tournament without the normal registration or qualifications.
winner: A successful stroke that is too difficult to be returned (in play) by the opponent, effectively ending the point.
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