Tennis words · Beginner
The words you will hear in your first match, grouped the way you meet them.
B · Beginner · 53 words · Step 1 of 2Scoring terms
Point
The smallest unit of scoring. You win a point when your opponent fails to return the ball properly (hits it out, into the net or lets it bounce twice).
Love
Tennis's word for "zero." If the score is "30-love," it means one player has 30 points and the other has 0.
15, 30, 40
The scores in a game. No point is love, then 15, 30 and 40, and the fourth point wins the game unless both players have won three points, which is deuce.
Deuce
The score when each player has won three points. From deuce a player must win two points in a row to win the game.
Advantage
The point right after deuce. If the same player wins the next point too, they win the game. If they lose it, the score goes back to deuce.
Also called: ad
See also: Deuce
Game
A scoring unit won by the first player to four points, with a margin of two once the score reaches deuce. Games make up a set.
See also: Deuce
Set
A group of games. The first player to win six games wins the set with a margin of two. At six games all, the set is decided by a tie-break game or by playing on, depending on the method the competition announces in advance, and this can differ for the final set.
Match
The full contest, played as the best of three sets or the best of five sets.
Tiebreak
The game played when a set reaches six games each. Points are counted 0, 1, 2 and so on, and the first to seven points with a margin of two wins the game and the set. Players change ends after every six points. In the final set, whether a tie-break is played depends on the competition.
Love game
A game won without the opponent scoring a single point (won 40-0).
Bagel
Slang for winning a set 6-0 (the "0" looks like a bagel).
Serving terms
Serve
The stroke that puts the ball in play at the start of every point, hit from behind the baseline into the diagonally opposite service box.
Also called: serving
See also: Service box, Baseline
Server
The player who puts the ball in play for the first point; the receiver is the player who is ready to return it.
Also called: returner
See also: Receiver
Ace
A serve so good the returner doesn't even touch it with their racket. Automatic point for the server.
See also: Server
Fault
A service that breaks the rules: it lands outside the correct service box, the server foot-faults or misses the ball, or the ball touches a fixture or the server before it lands. The server gets a second service after a first fault.
See also: Server, Service box
Double fault
Two faults in a row on the same point, which loses the point.
Let
A point or serve that is replayed. On a serve, it is a let when the ball touches the net and is otherwise good, or when the receiver is not ready. A service let does not cancel a previous fault. For any other let, the whole point is replayed.
Service box
The rectangular area on the opponent's side where a serve must land to be legal.
Hold
When the server wins the game they were serving. Considered the "expected" outcome since serving is an advantage.
Break
When the returner wins a game against the person who was serving. Considered a bigger achievement, since serving is normally an advantage.
Receiver
The player who returns the serve. The server may not serve until the receiver is ready, and a receiver who tries to return the serve counts as ready.
See also: Server
Toss
Before the warm-up, a toss decides the choices: the winner may choose to serve or receive first, or the end of the court, or make the opponent choose.
See also: Winner
Court terms
Baseline
The line at the very back of each side of the court. Players often stand behind it to hit groundstrokes.
Net
The net hangs across the middle of the court and is 0.914 m (3 ft) high at the centre. A player who touches it while the ball is in play loses the point.
Alley
The strip along each side that makes the court wider for doubles: the singles court is 8.23 m wide and the doubles court 10.97 m.
Service line
The line that marks the back edge of the service box, serves must land between the net and this line.
See also: Service box
Centre line
The line that divides the service boxes into left and right halves.
Court surfaces
Tennis is played on different surfaces, mainly hard court, clay and grass. The surface changes how the ball bounces and how fast it travels.
Shot types
Forehand
The most natural, common shot, hitting the ball on the same side as your dominant hand (e.g., a right-handed player swinging from their right side).
Backhand
Hitting the ball on the opposite side of your dominant hand, often swung across your body. Can be hit with one or two hands on the racket.
Groundstroke
Any shot (forehand or backhand) hit after the ball has bounced once on your side.
Volley
Hitting the ball out of the air, before it bounces, usually done near the net.
Smash
A powerful shot hit above your head, similar to a serve motion, usually used to finish a point when the opponent lobs the ball.
Also called: overhead
Lob
A shot hit high and deep, arcing over the opponent's head, often used to counter a player standing close to the net.
Drop shot
A soft, delicate shot that barely clears the net and lands short, catching an opponent (who is standing far back) off guard.
Slice
A shot hit with backspin (underspin), which makes the ball skid low and stay close to the ground after bouncing.
Topspin
A shot hit with forward spin, making the ball dip down quickly and bounce higher, gives more control and safety on powerful shots.
Rally
A back-and-forth exchange of shots between players during a single point.
Outcomes and errors
Winner
A great shot that the opponent simply cannot reach or return, it wins the point outright.
Unforced error
A mistake (hitting the ball out or into the net) that wasn't caused by pressure from the opponent's shot, basically a self-inflicted mistake.
Forced error
A mistake caused because the opponent hit such a good shot that it was very difficult to return properly.
Out
The ball landed outside the boundary lines of the court, point goes to the other player.
In
A ball that touches a line is good: the line is regarded as part of the court it bounds.
Match format and players
Singles
A match with one player on each side of the net (1 vs 1).
Doubles
A match with two players on each side of the net (2 vs 2), using the wider court (including the alleys).
Seed
A ranking system in tournaments where the strongest players are placed in the draw (bracket) so they don't face each other too early.
Also called: seeding
See also: Ranking
Ranking
An official numerical position showing how good a player is compared to others, based on results over time.
Break point
A point that, if won by the returner, would let them "break" the server's serve (win that game).
See also: Server
Set point
A point that, if won, would end the set for the player about to win it.
Match point
A point that, if won, would end the entire match.
Umpire
The official in the high chair who calls the score and, with line officials or an electronic system, makes the calls.
Also called: chair umpire
Let cord
Slang for when the ball clips the top of the net during a rally (not a serve), play continues normally, unlike a serve let.
See also: Rally
The ruleWhat happens when a serve hits the net?