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Tennis Glossary
Learn the language of Tennis — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
282 terms
- RA / StiffnessProRA is a racquet's stiffness measured by how much the frame deflects under load. Higher RA (66+) means a stiffer, more powerful but harsher frame; lower RA (under 58) flexes more for feel and arm comfort.
- Racquet DropAdvancedThe racquet drop is the racquet head falling passively below the wrist after the unit turn. From there, a low-to-high swing whips topspin onto the ball.
- Racquet Face Angle at ContactIntermediateRacquet face angle at contact is the string bed's tilt from vertical when the ball is struck. It mainly decides the ball's launch direction and spin type.
- Racquet Head SpeedIntermediateRacquet head speed is how fast the racquet head is traveling at contact. It is the single largest factor in ball pace and spin on a given stroke.
- Racquet Rules: Legal Size and StringsIntermediateYes. The ITF Rules cap a racquet at 29 inches (73.7 cm) long and 12.5 inches (31.7 cm) wide. The strung hitting area can be no more than 15.5 inches long and 11.5 inches wide. The strings must form one flat, generally uniform crossed pattern, and no device or energy source may change how the racquet plays.
- Racquet Specs ExplainedIntermediateRacquet specs tell you how a frame will play. Head size sets the sweet spot, weight sets stability, and balance shows where the weight sits. Head-light means the balance point is nearer the handle, and each 'point' head-light is 1/8 inch. Length runs from the standard 27 inches to the 29-inch legal limit.
- Racquet Sweet SpotBeginnerThe sweet spot on a tennis racquet is the area near the middle of the strings. Shots hit there feel solid, vibrate least and come off with the most control. A larger head size gives a larger sweet spot. Off-center hits twist the racquet and lose power.
- Rally LengthBeginnerRally length is the number of shots in a point from serve to finish, a tactical metric that reveals whether a player wins most points early (0–4 shots), in mid-length rallies (5–8), or in extended exchanges (9+).
- Rally ToleranceIntermediateRally tolerance is a player's ability and willingness to extend rallies without forcing a risky shot. It shows in rally length and patience under pressure.
- Reading Your Opponent's SpinIntermediateRead spin by watching the opponent's racquet path into contact. Low to high means topspin. High to low means slice. A swing across the outside of the ball adds sidespin. Then check the ball's flight and bounce to confirm.
- Receiver Ready Rule (Quick Serve)BeginnerThe server must wait until the receiver is ready, and the receiver must play to the server's reasonable pace. If you are not ready, make no attempt to return the serve. It is then replayed as a let. If you try to return it, you count as ready, even on a quick serve.
- Recovery StepIntermediateThe recovery step is the movement right after hitting a shot. It returns the player to the best defensive or offensive base before the next ball.
- Recovery to Center CourtIntermediateRecovery to center court is moving back to a balanced base position after a shot. That base covers the widest range of the opponent's likely replies.
- RestringingBeginnerA common rule of thumb is to restring as many times a year as you play each week. Playing three times a week means about three restrings a year. Polyester loses tension faster and usually needs restringing more often. Restring when the strings feel dead or lose control, even if they have not broken.
- Return of ServeIntermediateTo return serve well, split step as the server hits, turn your shoulders early and use a short, compact backswing. Against a fast serve, block or chip the ball deep and use the server's pace. Against a kick serve, step in and take it before it climbs, or move back and let it drop.
- Return of Serve PositioningIntermediateReturn of serve positioning is how deep and how far to one side a returner stands. It is set to counter the server's pace, spin, and typical patterns.
- Return Points Won, Hold % and Break %IntermediateReturn points won is the share of points you win when your opponent is serving. It tells you how much pressure your return puts on their serve, and it drives how often you break. Hold % is the share of your own service games you win. Break % is the share of your return games you win.
- Reverse Forehand (Buggy-Whip Finish)AdvancedA reverse forehand finishes with the racquet over the hitting shoulder or above the head instead of across the body. It gives fast topspin and a sharp dip on short angles, running forehands and balls that jam you. Use it as a variation. Most forehands should still finish across the body.
- Rushing the Split StepIntermediateRushing the split step means landing from the hop before the opponent's contact. It leaves the player flat-footed, unable to react to the shot's direction.
- Second ServeIntermediateThe second serve is the follow-up attempt after a fault. This requires enough spin and margin to give the serve a wide safety margin while still limiting the returner's options.
- Second Serve SpinIntermediateSecond serve spin is the extra rotation a player adds to the follow-up delivery after a miss. It raises net clearance and margin for error.
- Semi-Continental Grip (Volley)BeginnerThe semi-continental grip sits between a continental and an eastern forehand. At net, some players use it to balance both volleys without moving the hand.
- Semi-Open StanceIntermediateIn a semi-open stance your feet sit at about 45 degrees to the baseline, between a neutral and an open stance. It blends a forward step with hip and shoulder rotation. Many coaches use it as the default for neutral forehands. Switch to open stance on wide or fast balls and to neutral on short, low ones.
- Semi-Western GripBeginnerThe semi-western (base knuckle on bevel 4) is the most popular modern forehand hold, balancing topspin capability with comfortable contact across a wide range of ball heights.
- Serve and VolleyAdvancedServe and volley is a tactical pattern in which the server rushes to the net immediately after delivering the serve, intending to end the point with a first or second volley.
- Serve Misses (Net or Long)IntermediateServes into the net usually come from a low or drifting toss, hitting down on the ball, or dropping the head before contact. Serves that fly long often come from a toss behind the head, an open racquet face or too little spin. Fix the toss first, reach up to the ball, and add spin to bring the ball down into the box.
- Serve Placement PracticeIntermediateTo practise serve placement, set targets in the three main zones of each service box: wide, body and T. Serve a set number to one target, then call your target before each serve and mix them like a match. Keep score, and give yourself only one serve when you practise second serves.
- Serve Points Won (First and Second Serve)IntermediateFirst-serve points won is the share of points you win when your first serve lands in. Second-serve points won is the share you win when the point goes to a second serve. The gap between the two shows how much your second serve is costing you.
- Serve RoutineBeginnerA serve routine is the consistent pre-serve sequence — bouncing the ball, breathing, positioning the feet — that helps players enter a calm, focused state before every delivery.
- Serve Toss PlacementBeginnerServe toss placement is where the ball is released relative to the body. It determines which serve types are physically possible to hit from that toss.
- Serve-Plus-One PatternIntermediateServe-plus-one is a pattern where the server plans the shot after the serve before the point starts. The serve sets up a predictable, attackable ball.
- Service FaultBeginnerA serve is a fault if it misses the correct service box or if you swing and miss the toss. It is also a fault if the serve hits the net post, a singles stick, you or your partner before landing. A foot fault is a fault too. Catching a bad toss is not a fault.
- Serving Order and SidesBeginnerPlayers take turns serving whole games. Every game starts from the right (deuce) side, and the server switches sides after each point. In doubles, partners serve every fourth game, and each team keeps its receiving sides for the whole set. A toss or racquet spin before the warm-up decides who serves first.
- Set and Match FormatsBeginnerMost matches are best of three sets: first to six games, winning by two, with a tiebreak at 6-6. Other approved formats include advantage sets with no tiebreak, short sets to four games, and a deciding match tiebreak instead of a third set. Many US events also use the 8-game pro set.
- Shanking the Ball (Tennis)BeginnerA shank happens when the ball hits near the racquet's throat or frame edge instead of the string bed. It flies off at an hard to predict, often sharp angle.
- Short Backswing CompensationIntermediateShort backswing compensation means shortening the backswing under time pressure to force contact "on time," losing racquet-head speed and stored energy.
- Short-Angle CrosscourtAdvancedTo hit a sharp angle crosscourt, aim to land the ball near where the service line meets the sideline. Use heavy topspin, meet the ball out in front and swing more across the ball than through it. It works best from a ball that is already wide or short.
- Shot SelectionIntermediateShot selection is the real-time choice of shot type, direction, pace, and spin. It depends on court position, ball height, opponent location, and score.
- Shoulder Pain From ServingIntermediateShoulder pain from serving is often linked to overuse and to a serve driven by the arm instead of the legs and trunk. Common contributing factors include a toss behind the head, a sudden increase in serving volume, and weak or tight shoulder and upper-back muscles. Stop if it hurts, and see a qualified medical professional if the pain persists.
- Shoulder Prehab Exercises for TennisIntermediateShoulder prehab for tennis usually targets three areas. They are the rotator cuff muscles that turn the arm outward, the muscles that control the shoulder blade, and stiffness at the back of the serving shoulder. Common examples are band external rotations, rows and band pull-aparts, and gentle cross-body or sleeper stretches. Stop if anything hurts.
- Sidestep / ShuffleBeginnerA sidestep or shuffle moves the player sideways while facing the net. The feet never cross, so the player stays balanced and ready to load for a groundstroke.
- Singles Patterns of PlayIntermediateA core singles pattern is to rally crosscourt until you get a shorter or weaker ball, then change direction down the line or attack. Others include the inside-out forehand to the opponent's backhand, the serve plus one and the approach down the line. Patterns give each shot a job.
- SliceBeginnerIn tennis, a slice is a backspin shot hit high-to-low through the ball, for a low, skidding bounce. A golf slice, by contrast, is a curving mishit.
- Slice ServeIntermediateA slice serve adds sidespin by brushing around the outside of the ball. From a right-hander, it curves away from the deuce-side returner and stays low.
- Sliding on ClayIntermediateTo slide on clay, start the slide a step or two before you reach the ball. That way you hit while sliding or just as you stop, not after. Lower your hips, spread your feet and bend your knees, with your weight on the sliding leg and that foot pointing where you are going. Stay balanced through the shot, then push off the sliding leg to recover.
- Split StepBeginnerA split step is a small hop timed to the moment your opponent strikes the ball. It primes your legs to push off explosively in any direction.
- Squash Shot (Defensive Forehand)AdvancedHit a squash shot when you are stretched wide on your forehand side and cannot set up. Open the racquet face, lead with the wrist laid back and whip the racquet under and across the ball. It floats back with slice and sidespin and buys time to recover.
- Starting Tennis as an AdultBeginnerStart with a group clinic or a few lessons with a qualified coach to learn grips, footwork and a simple serve. Use a light racquet with a larger head, and try slower, lower-bouncing balls such as the green-dot ball while you learn. Play little and often, and move into social play or a beginner league once you can keep a rally going.
- Straight-Arm ForehandAdvancedA straight-arm forehand keeps the hitting arm extended, not bent, through the forward swing. The longer lever adds racquet-head speed from body rotation.
- Straight-Back BackswingBeginnerA straight-back backswing moves the racquet straight back on a flat path, with no loop. It favors simplicity and timing control over racquet-head speed.
- String GaugeAdvancedString gauge is the thickness of a tennis string measured in millimetres or gauge numbers, with thinner strings providing more spin and feel and thicker strings offering greater durability.
- String PatternIntermediateString pattern is the number of main (vertical) and cross (horizontal) strings, such as 16x19 or 18x20. An open pattern like 16x19 lets the strings move more for extra spin, launch and power. A dense pattern like 18x20 gives a flatter, more controlled ball and usually lasts longer.
- String TensionIntermediateString tension is how tightly a racquet is strung, in pounds or kilograms. It shapes the string bed's trampoline effect, control, and power.
- SwingweightProSwingweight measures how heavy a racquet feels when swung, accounting for where its mass is distributed. Higher swingweight gives more plow-through and power but is harder to maneuver.
- T-ServeIntermediateA T-serve is aimed at the center service line. It uses the shortest path for speed and takes away the returner's easiest angles.
- Tennis Ball TypesBeginnerExtra-duty balls have thicker felt for abrasive hard courts, and regular-duty balls suit clay and indoor courts. Pressurized balls play livelier but lose bounce over time. Pressureless balls keep their bounce longer but feel heavier and firmer, and they suit practice and ball machines. High-altitude balls are made for play above 4,000 feet.
- Tennis Court DimensionsBeginnerA tennis court is 78 feet (23.77 m) long. It is 27 feet (8.23 m) wide for singles and 36 feet (10.97 m) wide for doubles. As a result, each doubles alley adds 4.5 feet. The net is 3 feet (0.914 m) high at the center and 3.5 feet (1.07 m) at the posts. The service lines are 21 feet (6.40 m) from the net.
- Tennis Court SurfacesBeginnerTennis is mainly played on clay, hard courts and grass, and each plays differently. Clay is the slowest: the ball bounces high, rallies run long and players slide. Hard courts sit in the middle, with a true, predictable bounce. Grass is the fastest, with a low, skidding bounce that rewards big serves and net play.
- Tennis Drop StepIntermediateA drop step is the first move back for a deep ball or a lob. Step back with the foot on the side of the ball and turn your hips and shoulders in the same move. Then shuffle or cross over into position, so you can hit from balance instead of backpedalling.
- Tennis ElbowBeginnerTennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow, linked to overuse of the forearm tendons that attach there. In tennis, contributing factors can include a late, wristy one-handed backhand, tight or very stiff strings, a sudden jump in hitting or serving volume and a tight grip. If it hurts, stop playing, and see a qualified medical professional if the pain persists.
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