Racquet sports glossary

AceTennis

A serve that is not touched by the receiver and wins the point.

Ad CourtTennis

The left side of the court for each player. Named because the ad (advantage) point is served from this side.

Approach ShotTennis

A shot hit while moving toward the net, typically setting up a volley.

Backhand

A stroke hit with the back of the dominant hand facing the direction of the shot.

Backspin

Spin that causes the ball to rotate backward, slowing it down and causing it to bounce lower.

BagelTennis

Winning a set 6-0, giving the opponent zero games.

Baseline

The line at the back of the court that marks the boundary.

BreakTennis

Winning a game when the opponent is serving.

Crosscourt

A shot hit diagonally from one side of the court to the other.

DeuceTennis

A score of 40-40 in a game, requiring two consecutive points to win.

DinkPickleball

A soft shot hit just over the net, landing in the non-volley zone (kitchen).

Double Bounce RulePickleball

The rule that the serve and return must each bounce once before volleys are allowed.

Double FaultTennis

Two consecutive failed serves resulting in loss of the point.

Down the Line

A shot hit parallel to the sideline.

Drop Shot

A soft shot that barely clears the net and lands close to it.

ErnePickleball

A volley hit from outside the non-volley zone by jumping around or over the corner of the kitchen.

Fault

A serve that fails to land in the correct service box.

Forehand

A stroke hit with the palm of the dominant hand facing the direction of the shot.

Game PointTennis

A point that, if won by the leading player, wins the game.

Grand SlamTennis

Winning all four major tournaments in a single calendar year (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open).

Groundstroke

A shot hit after the ball bounces once on the court, either forehand or backhand.

KitchenPickleball

The non-volley zone, a 7-foot area on each side of the net where players cannot hit volleys.

LetTennis

In tennis, a serve that clips the net and lands in the correct service box. The serve is replayed.

Lob

A high, arcing shot that passes over the opponent's head, landing deep in the court.

LoveTennis

A score of zero in tennis.

Match PointTennis

A point that, if won by the leading player, wins the match.

NTRPTennis

National Tennis Rating Program, a rating system from 1.5 to 7.0 that describes a player's general skill level.

Overhead

A shot hit above the head with a serving motion, usually as a smash.

Passing Shot

A shot that goes past an opponent who is at the net.

Poach

In doubles, when a net player crosses to intercept a shot intended for their partner.

Rally

An extended exchange of shots between players during a point.

Round Robin

A tournament format where every player or team plays against every other player or team.

Serve

The shot that starts each point, hit from behind the baseline into the diagonally opposite service box.

SetTennis

A unit of scoring. A player wins a set by being the first to win 6 games with a 2-game lead, or by winning a tiebreak.

Slice

A shot hit with backspin, causing the ball to stay low after bouncing.

Smash

A powerful overhead shot hit downward, usually to end the point.

Third Shot DropPickleball

A soft shot hit on the third shot of the rally that lands in the kitchen, used to transition to the net.

TiebreakTennis

A special game played when the set score reaches 6-6, played to 7 points (must win by 2).

Topspin

Forward spin on the ball that causes it to dip and bounce higher.

Unforced Error

A missed shot that was not caused by a difficult shot from the opponent.

UTRTennis

Universal Tennis Rating, a global rating system based on match results.

Volley

A shot hit before the ball bounces, typically played near the net.

Winner

A shot that wins the point outright because the opponent cannot reach it.

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