| 
                            
                              
                                |  |  |  
                                |  | 
                        
                        HOME     |  
                                | Glossary of Tennis 
                        Terms |  
                                | 
                          Tennis 
                          - Glossary of Terms follows below: |  
                          
                          A  |  
                          B  |  
                          C  
                          |  D  |  
                          EF  |  
                          G  | 
                          HI  |  
                          JKL  |  
                          MN  |  
                          O  |  
                          P  
                          |  QR  |  
                          S  |  
                          T  |  
                          UVWXYZ 
                          
                          A
 
 
                          Ace   
                          A perfect serve in bounds that the opponent cannot 
                          return and is not touched by the receiver.
 Ad court   The side of the court on 
                          which the second point of each game begins, also 
                          called the left court or the backhand court.
 
 Advantage   The player who scores the 
                          first point after
                          
                          deuce is said to have the advantage, since winning 
                          the next point will also win the game.
 
 Advantage court   The left service 
                          court, where the receiver takes service when either 
                          player has the advantage.
 
 Advantage in   Indicates that the 
                          server has the advantage.
 Advantage out   Indicates that the 
                          receiver has the advantage.
 
 Alley    Area on each side of the singles 
                          court that enlarges the court area when doubles is 
                          being played; also known as the tramlines.  The 
                          alleys are 4 feet wide.  Also see
                          The anatomy of the tennis court.
 
 American twist   A serve that has spin 
                          causing it to bounce high and to the receiver's left, 
                          off a right-handed player's racket.  Opposite of 
                          a
                          
                          reverse twist.
 
 Approach shot   A shot hit hard and 
                          deep to allow the player to take the net; used from 
                          inside the baseline to enable a player to attack the 
                          net.
 
 Attack the net   To move into the 
                          forecourt and toward the net to be able to hit volleys 
                          quickly into the opponent's side of the court. Also 
                          known as take the net.
 
 Australian formation   Serving 
                          formation in doubles where the server and server's 
                          partner are initially positioned on the same side of 
                          the court.
 
 Australian grip   Midway between the 
                          Eastern and continental to facilitate serve-volley 
                          play on grass.
 
 
 
                          
                          A  |  
                          B  |  
                          C  
                          |  D  |  
                          EF  |  
                          G  | 
                          HI  |  
                          JKL  |  
                          MN  |  
                          O  |  
                          P  
                          |  QR  |  
                          S  |  
                          T  |  
                          UVWXYZ 
                          
                          Back to top
 |