Tennis words, in the order you need them
Start with the beginner words and you can follow a match. Each level builds on the one before.
Already know some? Search all 86 words and 27 rules
Words
- Point
- Love
- 15, 30, 40
- Deuce
- Advantage
- Game
- Set
- Match
- Tiebreak
- Love game
- Bagel
- Advantage set
- Serve
- Server
- Ace
- Fault
- Double fault
- Let
- Service box
- Hold
- Break
- Receiver
- Toss
- Baseline
- Net
- Alley
- Service line
- Centre line
- Court surfaces
- Court
- Forehand
- Backhand
- Groundstroke
- Volley
- Smash
- Lob
- Drop shot
- Slice
- Topspin
- Rally
- Winner
- Unforced error
- Forced error
- Out
- In
- Singles
- Doubles
- Seed
- Ranking
- Break point
- Set point
- Match point
- Umpire
- Let cord
- Beach tennis
- 10 and under tennis
- Grand slam
- Wildcard
- Qualifier
- Bye
- Retirement
- Walkover
- ATP and WTA
- Kick serve
- Slice serve
- Foot fault
- Second serve
- Serve and volley
- Return of serve
- Continental grip
- Eastern grip
- Western grip
- Open stance
- Split step
- Match tiebreak
- No-ad scoring
- Breadstick
- Break back
- On serve
- Changeover
- Challenge
- Half-volley
- Approach shot
- Passing shot
- Drop volley
- Lob volley
Rules
- How does scoring work in a game of tennis?
- How many games win a set in tennis?
- How does a tie-break work in tennis?
- How many sets are in a tennis match?
- What are no-ad scoring and the match tie-break?
- What are the rules for serving in tennis?
- What is a fault in tennis?
- What happens when a serve hits the net?
- Who serves when in tennis, and when do players change ends?
- How do you lose a point in tennis?
- Is the ball in if it touches the line?
- Can the ball touch the net or go round the net post and still be good?
- Can you touch the net in tennis?
- Is a double hit allowed in tennis?
- What happens if a player is distracted during a point?
- When is a point replayed in tennis?
- What happens if the wrong player served, or from the wrong side?
- How long do tennis players get between points?
- Can a tennis player stop for an injury or a toilet break?
- Is coaching allowed during a tennis match?
- Who makes the decisions in a tennis match?
- How do challenges work in tennis?
- How big is a tennis court?
- How high is a tennis net?
- What are the rules for a tennis ball?
- What are the rules for a tennis racket?
- How is wheelchair tennis different?