Beginner
Topspin
Topspin is forward spin imparted by brushing up the back of the ball. It makes the ball dip down into the court and kick up high after the bounce.
Topspin lets players hit harder with a bigger margin over the net because the spin curves the ball down into the court — the engine of the modern baseline game. It is generated by a low-to-high swing path and racquet-head speed, set up by the racquet drop. More topspin also produces a higher, more awkward bounce for the opponent.
Example
A player brushes up the back of the ball so it clears the net by several feet yet dives down inside the baseline.
Related terms
- Racquet DropThe racquet drop is the moment after the shoulder turn when the racquet head drops below the wrist, setting up a whipping, low-to-high motion through contact.
- SliceIn tennis, a slice is a shot hit with backspin by swinging high-to-low through the ball, producing a low, skidding bounce. (This differs from a golf slice, which is a curving mishit.)
- Follow-ThroughThe follow-through is the path the racquet takes after contact. A complete finish confirms the swing was not decelerated before the ball was struck.
Related guides & benchmarks
Put this into your swing
SwingVantage can spot this in your own swing — free to start.