Want to start playing tennis? Interested in the sport as a way to get fit or just a past time? Here are some basic tennis terms you should be familiar with first. Next time you start playing, you won’t be like, “huh?”
Ace: An ace is a serve that the returner doesn’t even touch with her racquet. An ace wins the point immediately for the server.
Advantage: After the score has reached 40-all, the winner of the next point will have the advantage, requiring another point to win the game. If the player with advantage loses the next point, the score reverts to 40-all.
Backhand: The side of your body that you usually don’t do business on. For example, if you’re right-handed, your backhand side is the left side of your body.
Drop shot: A very soft shot hit just barely over the net. You hit drop shots to get your opponent up to the net.
Deuce: A score of 40 all
Forehand: The side of your body that you perform most tasks on. For example, if you’re right-handed, the right side of your body is your forehand side.
Grand Slam: Winning the U.S. Open, Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon all in one year.
Overhead: A shot you hit over your head during play, either on the fly, or after the ball bounces. The overhead is also known as a smash.
Rally: A series of consecutive shots played by opponents before a winner
Seed: A player’s rank in a tournament.
Umpire: The official who keeps the score during the match
Ready to get it on and play tennis? Not yet? Do keep these tennis terms in mind and you’ll be fine!
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