Introduction to Common Tennis Terminology
Tennis is a sport that has a unique set of terms and jargon that is used to describe the various aspects of the game. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned player, knowing the terminology of tennis can help you understand the sport better and enhance your enjoyment.
From serves and volleys to backhands and forehands, there are many different terms and techniques used in tennis. In this article, we will look at some of the most common tennis terminology and explain what they mean.
Types of Shots
Serve: This is the shot used to start each point. The player must hit the ball with an underarm swing before it bounces on the court.
Volley: A volley is a shot that is hit before the ball bounces on the court. It is usually hit close to the net, and it is an important part of a player’s game.
Forehand: This is a shot hit with the player’s dominant hand, usually in a diagonal direction across the court. It is one of the most common shots used in tennis.
Backhand: This is a shot hit with the non-dominant hand, usually in a diagonal direction across the court. It is a tricky shot to master, but it can be a very effective one.
Drop Shot: A drop shot is a shot that is hit very softly over the net and just over the net. It is usually hit in an attempt to make the opponent run to the net to hit the ball.
Lob: A lob is a shot that is hit high and deep over the opponent’s head. It is usually hit in an attempt to force the opponent to move back and give the hitter time to set up for the next shot.
Types of Strategies
Serve and Volley: This is a type of strategy that involves a player serving and then rushing to the net to hit a volley. It is a very aggressive strategy and can be very effective when used correctly.
Groundstrokes: This is a type of strategy that involves a player hitting a lot of groundstrokes, or shots that are hit after the ball bounces on the court. This strategy is usually used to try to wear down the opponent and keep them on the defensive.
Baseline Rally: This is a type of strategy that involves two players hitting a lot of groundstrokes back and forth to each other from the baseline. This is usually used to try to out-rally the opponent and win the point.
Attacking Tennis: This is a type of strategy that involves a player trying to hit winners and put pressure on the opponent. It is a very aggressive strategy that can be very effective when used correctly.
Scoring System
Tennis is scored using a system called “love” or “Forty-Love”. This system is used to track the score during a match. Here is a breakdown of the scoring system:
- Love: This is a score of zero points for both players.
- Fifteen: This is a score of one point for one player.
- Thirty: This is a score of two points for one player.
- Forty: This is a score of three points for one player.
- Advantage: This is a score of four points for one player and the player who has the advantage is one point away from winning the game.
- Game: This is a score of five points for one player and the player who wins the game wins the set.
Types of Surfaces
The type of surface on which a match is played has a big impact on the game. The most common types of surfaces are:
- Clay: This is a surface with a lot of friction and is usually slow-paced. It is usually used for French Open and other clay court matches.
- Grass: This is a surface that is usually fast-paced and is usually used for Wimbledon and other grass court matches.
- Hard Court: This is a surface that is usually a combination of clay and grass and is usually used for US Open and other hard court matches.
- Carpet: This is a surface that is usually fast-paced and is usually used for indoor matches.
Types of Tournaments
Grand Slams:
The four grand slams in tennis are the most prestigious tournaments in the sport. They are the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.
Masters Series:
This is a series of nine tournaments that are the second most prestigious in tennis. They are the Indian Wells Masters, the Miami Open, the Monte-Carlo Masters, the Madrid Open, the Rome Masters, the Canadian Open, the Cincinnati Masters, the Shanghai Masters, and the Paris Masters.
ATP and WTA Tour Tournaments:
The ATP and WTA Tours are the two professional tennis tours. They are both made up of a series of tournaments that are held around the world.
Conclusion
Tennis has a unique set of terms and jargon that can be used to describe the various aspects of the game. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned player, understanding the terminology of tennis can help you improve your game and knowledge of the sport. From serves and volleys to backhands and forehands, there is a lot to learn about the different shots, strategies, and surfaces used in tennis.
By familiarizing yourself with the different types of terminology used in the sport, you can become a better player and have a better understanding of the game.