In tennis scoring, 'Love' represents a score of zero. For example, '15-Love' means 15-0. The term is believed to come from the French word 'l'oeuf' (the egg), resembling a zero.
2
What is 'Deuce'?
Answer:
A score of 40-40
Deuce occurs when both players have won three points (40-40). From this point, a player must win two consecutive points to win the game.
3
What is an 'Ace'?
Answer:
A legal serve that is not touched by the receiver
An Ace is a serve that lands inside the service box and wins the point immediately because the receiver does not make contact with the ball.
4
What is a 'Double Fault'?
Answer:
Missing two consecutive serves, resulting in the loss of the point
A player is allowed two attempts to serve into the correct box. If they miss both attempts, it is a Double Fault and the point goes to the opponent.
5
What is a 'Let'?
Answer:
A point replayed, usually because a serve hit the net and landed in
A Let is called when the serve hits the net but still lands in the correct service box. The serve is replayed without penalty.
6
What does 'Advantage' (or Ad) mean?
Answer:
The point scored immediately after Deuce
After Deuce, the next point won gives a player the 'Advantage'. If they win the next point, they win the game; if they lose it, the score returns to Deuce.
7
What is a 'Break Point'?
Answer:
A point where the receiver wins the game if they win the point
A break point occurs when the receiving player is one point away from winning the game against the server (e.g., score is 30-40).
8
What is a 'Tie-break'?
Answer:
A special game played to decide a set when the score is 6-6
When a set reaches 6-6 in games, a tie-break is played (usually first to 7 points, leading by 2) to determine the winner of the set (7-6).
9
What is a 'Lob'?
Answer:
A high, arching shot intended to go over the opponent's head
A lob is a defensive or offensive shot hit high into the air, aiming to land deep in the court behind an opponent who is at the net.
10
What is a 'Smash' (or Overhead)?
Answer:
A hard, overhand shot hit into the opponent's court
Similar to a serve motion, a smash is a powerful shot hit above the head, usually in response to a lob.
11
What is a 'Drop Shot'?
Answer:
A soft shot hit just over the net so it bounces twice quickly
A drop shot is hit delicately with backspin to land just over the net, making it difficult for the opponent to run forward and reach it.
12
What are the 'Alleys' (or Tramlines)?
Answer:
The area between the singles and doubles sidelines
The alleys are the side strips of the court used only in doubles matches. In singles, a ball landing in the alley is 'out'.
13
What is a 'Bagel' in tennis slang?
Answer:
Winning a set 6-0
A 'Bagel' refers to a set that ends with a score of 6-0, because the zero looks like a bagel.
14
What is a 'Grand Slam'?
Answer:
One of the four major tennis tournaments
The Grand Slams are the four most prestigious events: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.
15
What is 'Topspin'?
Answer:
Spin that makes the ball bounce higher and dip quickly
Topspin is created by brushing up the back of the ball, causing it to rotate forward, dip down into the court, and bounce high.
16
What is 'Backspin' (or Slice)?
Answer:
Spin that causes the ball to stay low and skid
Backspin is created by cutting under the ball, causing it to rotate backward. This makes the ball float through the air and stay low after the bounce.
17
What is a 'Foot Fault'?
Answer:
Stepping on or over the baseline before hitting the serve
A foot fault occurs if the server's foot touches the baseline or the court area before the racket contacts the ball during a serve.
18
What is an 'Unforced Error'?
Answer:
A mistake made on an easy shot that should have been made
An unforced error is a missed shot (into the net or out) that was not caused by pressure or a difficult ball from the opponent.
19
What is a 'Winner'?
Answer:
A shot that lands in and the opponent cannot touch
A winner is a successful shot that lands in the court and is not touched by the opponent, resulting in an immediate point.
20
What is a 'Wildcard'?
Answer:
An invitation for a player to compete who didn't qualify by ranking
Tournaments award wildcards to players whose ranking isn't high enough to qualify automatically, often given to local players or returning stars.
