Tennis Terms

Anyone looking to learn how to play tennis, must go through this basic list in order to learn all the phrases and words that are used to describe the various rules and regulations of the sport. There are tons of tennis words that one can learn, and as one progresses in the game, more and more words begin popping up. But at the very beginning, the knowledge of some basic words or phrases is absolutely imperative.

List of Tennis Terms
Here are some of the elementary ones that everyone should know before learning the game of tennis. Even someone who has played the game for a while may find that some are new to him.

Ace: When the server serves the ball so hard and accurately that the receiver is unable to even touch it, it is known as an ace. This usually results in a point for the server.

Ad Court: The left side of each player's side of the court.

Advantage: When a player wins the first point of a deuce, it is known as an advantage. He now needs one more point to win the game.

All: The term used when both players have the same score. For example, 15-15 and 30-30 is15-all and 30-all respectively. When both the players are on 40, it is known as a deuce.

Alley: The areas between the singles and doubles sidelines on the court.

ATP: The men's professional circuit, also known as the Association of Tennis Professionals.

Backhand: When the ball is hit by the back sided face of the tennis racket, it is a backhand shot. A right-handed player will play a backhanded shot when the ball is on his left side.

Ballboy: A male or female child who has to receive the balls that are out of play on the area of the court. They also throw the ball to the server just before service.

Baseline: The farthest boundary at the ends of the rectangular court. The server must always serve from behind the baseline.

Break: To be the receiver in a game and then go on to win the game.

Break Point: One point away from breaking the service, that is, winning the game as a receiver. Break points are the scores 30-40 or 40-advantage. 15-40 is a double break point, and 0-40 is a triple break point.

Challenge: To challenge the call of the officials. The dispute is resolved using video technology.

Change-over: When the players change which sides of the court they play from.

Court: The rectangular area in which the game is played.

Deuce: The score of 40-40, now, a player must win 2 consecutive points to win the game.

Deuce Court: The right side of each player's side of the court.

Double Fault: 2 consecutive faults by the server. It results in the point being won by the receiver.

Doubles: A game played by 4 players, with 2 on each side of the court.

Fault: A bad service that is unable to fall in the designated area.

Foot Fault: A fault that occurs as a result of the server stepping on or over the baseline while serving.

Forehand: A shot that is hit with the front face of the racket. It is the opposite of a backhand, and a ball that falls on the right side will be hit with a forehand shot by a right-handed player.

Game Point: When the player, who is leading in the score, needs only one more point in order to win the game.

Golden Set: Winning an entire set without losing a point.

Grand Slam: The 4 biggest tennis tournaments in a calendar year. The Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

Grunting: The noise released by the players as they hit the ball.

Hold: When the server goes on to win a game, it is known as holding serve.

ITF: The world governing body of tennis, the International Tennis Federation.

Jamming: Hitting or returning the ball straight into the opponents body is known as jamming.

Line Judge: A person who calls whether a ball fell within or outside the boundary lines.

Lob: A shot in which the ball is hit high above the net and the other players head, in order to get an offensive advantage, or get a defensive break.

Match Point: When the person leading the score needs only one more point to win the match, it is known as a match point.

Mixed Doubles: A game played by 4 players. There are 2 men and 2 women, and on each side of the court 1 man and 1 woman compete.

Out: Any ball that falls outside the boundary lines.

Rally: A passage of play that goes on till one person loses the point. Some rallies can carry on for long durations of time.

Receiver: The person who is receiving the serve.

Return Ace: Where the first shot of the receiver, upon receiving the service, results in a point for the receiver.

Second Serve: If the first serve resulted in a fault, the server can try again. A double fault means that the point is lost.

Serve: The first shot of the game, where the ball is hit into the opponents court.

Service Game: A game where the server wins without letting the receiver win a single point.

Set Point: When a person is one point away from winning the particular set.

Singles: A game played between 2 opponents.

Straight Sets: A victory in which the victor does now lose a single set.

Tiebreaker: When the set is at 6-6, a tiebreaker is adopted. The first person to reach 7 points or more with a difference of 2 points is declared the winner of the set. Each player gets to serve twice, except for the first server who serves only once.

Umpire: The person who sits on the chair and presides over it, and calls the points and enforces all the rules.

Volley: A shot where the ball is struck before it is allowed to bounce on the ground.

WTA: The professional women's circuit, abbreviated for Women's Tennis Association.

So this was a list that can help out a beginner who is unversed with the basic terminology of the game. As you start gaining more experience and more exposure to the game, you will start learning some advanced terms about the kinds of shots as well. In the meantime, this list should suffice.