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Tennis Glossary
Learn the language of Tennis — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
144 terms
- Aggressive Baseline PlayIntermediateAggressive baseline play means taking the ball early and hitting with pace and depth from the baseline. It dictates rallies instead of waiting for errors.
- Anticipation and Reaction TimeIntermediateAnticipation is reading cues in an opponent's preparation, body, and court position before contact. Moving early buys more time than reaction speed alone.
- Approach ShotIntermediateAn approach shot is struck off a short ball as the player moves toward the net, designed to put the opponent under pressure while allowing time to close into a volley position.
- Approach to NetIntermediateApproaching the net means moving forward from the baseline after an approach shot or serve. The aim is to put away the point with a volley or overhead.
- Arming the BallIntermediateArming the ball means swinging with the arm alone instead of turning the legs, hips and shoulders first. To stop it, make an early unit turn, start the forward swing by rotating your hips and torso, and let a relaxed arm follow. The arm should feel like it is along for the ride.
- Around the Net Post and Net Cord (Rule)IntermediateYes, you can hit around the net post in tennis. Under ITF Rule 25, a return that passes outside the posts is good if it lands in, even below net height or after touching a post. In a rally, a ball that clips the cord, a post or a singles stick and lands in is also good.
- ATP Rankings and Grand SlamsIntermediateATP ranking points are earned by how far you go in each tournament, and bigger events give more points. In the 2026 table, a Grand Slam title is worth 2000 points, a Masters 1000 title 1000, an ATP 500 title 500 and an ATP 250 title 250. A player's ranking adds up their best 18 results, plus the ATP Finals for those who qualify.
- Attacking Short BallsIntermediateTo attack a short ball, read it early and move forward fast, with small steps at the end. Get beside the ball and take it around waist height or above, before it drops. Hit firmly but with margin, usually deep or to the weaker side, and keep moving toward the net.
- Attacking the Weaker SideIntermediateHit most of your shots to their weaker side, often the backhand, but not every single one. If you only hit there, they will cover it and run around to forehands. Pull them wide to the stronger side now and then, then go back to the weakness when the court opens.
- Backhand SliceIntermediateTo hit a backhand slice that stays low, use a continental grip, take the racquet back above the ball and swing forward and slightly down. Keep the face a little open, meet the ball in front of the front foot and finish long toward the target. A steep chop makes the ball float.
- Balance Through ContactIntermediateBalance through contact means the center of mass stays controlled through impact, even on the move. The swing then transfers full power and direction.
- Ball MachinesIntermediateA ball machine is worth it if you want lots of repetitions without a partner. It feeds the same ball again and again, which suits grooving strokes, footwork and recovery. It can't read your shots or play points, so use it alongside live hitting rather than instead of it.
- Beating a PusherIntermediateA pusher gets every ball back with safe, slow, often high shots and waits for you to miss. To beat one, rally patiently with margin, step in to take short or floating balls early, and finish at the net. Use drop shots and short angles to pull them forward and wide.
- Block ReturnIntermediateA block return uses almost no backswing. A firm, stable racquet face absorbs the serve's pace and redirects the ball back deep.
- Body ServeIntermediateA body serve is aimed directly at the returner's torso or hip. It denies them room to swing freely and forces a cramped, defensive return.
- Challenge System (Line Calls)IntermediateThe challenge system lets a player dispute a line call using electronic ball-tracking. Only a limited number of unsuccessful challenges are allowed per set.
- Chip ReturnIntermediateA chip return uses a short, compact slice motion to redirect a fast serve back low and controlled, prioritizing consistency over pace.
- Clay-Court StrategyIntermediateClay slows the ball and makes it bounce higher, so points run longer and the player who misses less usually wins. Build each point with deep, high crosscourt balls hit with heavy topspin and plenty of net clearance, often to your opponent's backhand. Attack only the short ball, and use drop shots and wide angles to drag a deep opponent around the court. Serve to set up your next shot rather than for aces, and return from further behind the baseline.
- Closed-Stance BackhandIntermediateA closed-stance backhand steps the front foot across toward the net before contact. That allows a full weight transfer but slightly slows recovery.
- Closing Out a Set or MatchIntermediateWhen you serve for the set or match, stick to the patterns that got you there. Choose high-percentage serve targets, land a big share of first serves with spin, and play the first shot with margin. Expect the opponent to raise their level, and play each point as one point, not the whole match.
- Coaching During a MatchIntermediateIt depends on the event. Under the ITF Rules, coaching is never allowed during a point, and coaching from off the court is allowed only if the event's governing body permits it. Where it is allowed, it must be brief and discreet. In most USTA events, coaching is allowed only during a 3-minute or 10-minute rest period.
- Confidence and Self-Talk on CourtIntermediateBuild confidence by training how you talk to yourself and how you carry yourself. Keep self-talk accurate rather than harsh: 'I missed a few in that game,' not 'I miss everything.' Replace each negative thought with a useful one, and use present cues like 'this point.' Picture the shots you want, and walk with your shoulders back between points.
- Contact Point DriftIntermediateContact point drift means the contact spot shifts from swing to swing: in front, late, or too close. Even a repeatable swing gives hard-to-predict results.
- Converting an NTRP Rating to UTRIntermediateThere is no official chart that turns an NTRP level like 4.0 into a UTR number. The two systems measure in different ways. NTRP is a USTA level from 1.5 to 7.0, while UTR runs from 1.00 to 16.50 and is calculated from your recent match results. To find your UTR, play matches that report to UTR and check your profile.
- Core Rotation in StrokesIntermediateCore rotation is the turning of the torso (between hips and shoulders) in a stroke. It passes energy from the legs and hips up to the arm and racquet.
- Counter-Punching StyleIntermediateCounter-punching is a defensive-minded style that absorbs an opponent's pace, redirects it back with consistency and depth, and waits patiently for the opponent to make the error.
- Court PositioningIntermediateCourt positioning is where a player stands between shots. It changes after every ball to cover the opponent's likeliest replies and leave few openings.
- Cramping in Long MatchesIntermediateCramps are more likely late in long, hot matches, when your muscles are tired and you have lost fluid and salt through sweat. To prevent them, start well hydrated, drink water or a sports drink at every changeover, and add salt if you are a heavy sweater. Build fitness for long matches. If a cramp hits, gently stretch and massage the muscle.
- Cross-Step RecoveryIntermediateCross-step recovery gets a player back to position fast after a wide shot. One foot crosses in front of or behind the other in a long crossover stride.
- Crossover StepIntermediateThe crossover step is the explosive first step after the split step, where the foot on the side away from the ball crosses in front of the body to generate maximum lateral acceleration.
- Decelerating the SwingIntermediateDecelerating means slowing the racquet down before contact to guide the ball in. It usually comes from fear of hitting long. Fix it by adding topspin and net height, so a full swing still lands in, and by finishing every swing. Pick a swing speed you can control and keep accelerating through contact.
- Defensive SliceIntermediateA defensive slice uses underspin to keep the ball low and floating with little effort. It helps an out-of-position player buy time and stay in the point.
- Depth ControlIntermediateTo hit deeper, aim higher over the net instead of hitting harder. Swing low to high, extend the racquet toward the target and let topspin bring the ball down near the baseline. Short balls often clear the net too low or come from a cut-off follow-through.
- Doubles DrillsIntermediateGood doubles drills include volley-to-volley exchanges with all four at the net, two-on-one drills and Canadian doubles for three players. Crosscourt doubles rallies and serve-and-return games that allow poaching also help. Use them to train quick hands, net movement and teamwork.
- Doubles Return TacticsIntermediateIn doubles, return crosscourt to the server, low and away from the net player, unless you are sure a shot down the line will win the point. If the server comes to the net, aim low at their feet. If the net player keeps poaching, mix in a lob over their head or a shot down their alley. Block or chip big first serves, and swing more freely on second serves.
- Doubles Serving TacticsIntermediateIn doubles, serve mostly down the T or into the body to cut down the returner's angles and send returns through the middle, where your partner can poach. Landing a high share of first serves usually matters more than raw pace. As a result, add spin and take a little speed off if you need to. Stand wider along the baseline than in singles, and agree on the target with your partner before each point.
- Down-the-Line ShotIntermediateA down-the-line shot travels parallel to the nearest sideline. It changes a crosscourt rally's direction to create a sharper angle or exploit an open court.
- Drive Volley (Swinging Volley)IntermediateA drive volley, or swinging volley, is a full topspin groundstroke swing at a slow, high ball taken out of the air, usually from around the service line. Use it on floaters you would otherwise let bounce. Most other volleys work better as a short punch with little backswing.
- Drop ShotIntermediateA drop shot is a soft groundstroke or volley meant to die just over the net. It draws the opponent in from the baseline to win the point with touch.
- Fake Poach and SwitchIntermediateA fake poach is when the net player in doubles moves as if to cross and intercept, then steps back to their own side. The returner sees the movement and may change their shot, often into the net player's original spot. Time the fake just before the returner swings.
- First Serve PercentageIntermediateFirst serve percentage is the share of first serves that land in the box. It is a core indicator of serve rhythm and risk management.
- Flat BackhandIntermediateA flat backhand has little face tilt and a near-level path through contact. It sends a low, penetrating ball with less topspin than a standard drive.
- Flat ServeIntermediateA flat serve is struck with minimal spin at maximum racquet-head speed. This produces the highest velocity and least margin for error of the three main serve types.
- Forehand Slice (Chip Forehand)IntermediateSlice your forehand when you are stretched wide, when the ball is very low, or when you want a low approach or a drop shot. Use a continental grip and swing high to low with an open face. Keep topspin as your main forehand and use the slice as a change-up.
- Game Plan and ScoutingIntermediateA simple tennis game plan has two or three goals: use your best shot as often as you can, attack the opponent's weaker side, and play high-percentage tennis on big points. Scout the opponent in the warm-up and first games. Check at changeovers whether the plan is working, and switch to plan B if it is not.
- Getting Recruited for College TennisIntermediateStart by building a list of schools that suit you for both tennis and academics. Then email the coaches yourself. Keep the first email short: your name, graduation year and a link to your profile and results. Coaches look most at your results and ratings, such as UTR. Most also want to see you play, so keep a short video of real match play ready.
- Golfer's Elbow in Tennis (Inner Elbow Pain)IntermediatePain on the inside of the elbow can be medial epicondylitis, also called golfer's elbow, and tennis is one known cause. The forearm muscles that turn your palm down and bend your wrist attach there, and the serve uses both. Rest it, and see a medical professional if it lasts, or straight away if your ring and little fingers go numb or tingle.
- Grass-Court StrategyIntermediateGrass is fast and the ball stays low and skids, so points are short and the first strike matters most. Serve well, use slice to keep the ball low and look to come to the net, where low balls force your opponent to hit up. Stay low with bent knees, take quick small steps and use shorter, compact swings so you are ready in time.
- Grip ChangeIntermediateA grip change is moving the hand along the handle between shots to match the incoming ball. Most often from a forehand hold to continental for volleys, serves and slices.
- Grip Change Speed Between ShotsIntermediateGrip change speed is how quickly and reliably a player switches grips between strokes. A slow or incomplete change is a frequent hidden cause of mis-hits.
- Handling a Low SliceIntermediateAgainst a low slice, move in early, get low with your legs and shorten your backswing. The ball skids and stays low. Lift it with a steeper low-to-high swing and aim higher over the net, usually crosscourt. You can also slice it back. Do not try to rip it flat.
- Handling Pace (Hard Hitters)IntermediateAgainst a hard hitter, shorten your backswing, turn early and meet the ball in front. Use their pace instead of adding your own. Aim crosscourt with good net clearance, step back a little if you need time, and mix in slices and deep, high balls to break their rhythm.
- Heavy BallIntermediateA heavy ball is a shot that combines pace, lots of topspin and depth. It dips into the court, then kicks up high and fast after the bounce. It feels heavy on your strings and pushes you back behind the baseline.
- High BackhandIntermediateFor a high backhand, step in and take the ball before it climbs above your shoulder, or move back and let it drop. If you must hit it high, turn early, set the racquet level with the ball and swing more level through contact. A high, deep slice is often the safest reply for one-handers.
- HindranceIntermediateA hindrance is something that stops you playing a point fairly. If an opponent hinders you on purpose, you win the point. If it is accidental, like an opponent's hat or a ball falling from their pocket, the point is replayed. Stop play right away to claim it.
- Hip RotationIntermediateHip rotation is the pelvis turning from the coiled backswing toward the target on the forward swing. It is the primary driver of power in the kinetic chain.
- Hitting on the RiseIntermediateHitting on the rise means meeting the ball on its way up, soon after the bounce, instead of waiting for it to peak or drop. To do it, stand on or just inside the baseline, turn early, shorten the backswing, stay low and make contact out in front with a steady racquet face.
- Inside-In ForehandIntermediateAn inside-in forehand is a forehand you run around your backhand to hit, then send down the line instead of crosscourt. For a right-hander playing a right-hander, it goes to the opponent's forehand side. It is the surprise follow-up to the usual crosscourt pattern.
- Inside-Out ForehandIntermediateAn inside-out forehand is played by running around a ball that arrives on the backhand side and redirecting it with the forehand to the opponent's backhand corner.
- ITF Court Pace RatingIntermediateA court plays fast or slow mainly because of friction and bounce height. A rough surface grips the ball and slows it, and a higher bounce gives more time. The ITF measures this as a Court Pace Rating and sorts courts into five categories, from slow clay to fast grass.
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