Category

Term	Abbreviation	Category	Description	Usage & Notes
Love	0	Scoring & Match Terms	Score of zero points within the current game.	Called for either server or returner until they win their first point of the game.
Fifteen	15	Scoring & Match Terms	Score awarded after winning the first point in a game.	Chair umpires announce "Fifteen-Love" or "Love-Fifteen" depending on who earned the point.
Thirty	30	Scoring & Match Terms	Score reached after a player wins two points in the same game.	A 30-30 scoreline is commonly called "thirty-all" to signal the tie.
Forty	40	Scoring & Match Terms	Score earned after winning three points in a game, usually one away from closing it.	If both players reach forty, the score is reset to deuce.
Deuce	—	Scoring & Match Terms	Score of 40-40 where players must win two consecutive points to secure the game.	Signals the start of an advantage battle until someone wins two in a row.
Advantage	Ad	Scoring & Match Terms	Point won immediately after deuce that places a player one point from taking the game.	Announced as "Ad-In" for the server or "Ad-Out" for the returner to show who leads.
Break Point	BP	Scoring & Match Terms	Game point where the returner can win the game and break the opponent's serve.	Conversion percentage is a vital stat referenced to evaluate return performance.
Game Point	GP	Scoring & Match Terms	Situation in which the server or returner needs one more point to win the game.	Announcers specify "Game point, Djokovic" to highlight the player serving for the game.
Set Point	SP	Scoring & Match Terms	Point that, if won, secures the current set for the player or team.	Broadcast graphics often show set point count to underline scoreboard pressure.
Match Point	MP	Scoring & Match Terms	Point that, if converted, wins the entire match.	Fans remember players saving or taking multiple match points in classic encounters.
Tiebreak	TB	Scoring & Match Terms	Deciding game played when a set reaches 6-6, typically to seven points with a two-point margin.	Players change ends every six points during a traditional tiebreak.
Super Tiebreak	STB	Scoring & Match Terms	Extended tiebreak played to ten points (win by two) often used instead of a final set.	Doubles events on tour frequently use a super tiebreak in lieu of a third set.
No-Ad Scoring	—	Scoring & Match Terms	Format where games are decided at deuce by a single deciding point instead of advantage play.	College tennis and events like World TeamTennis employ no-ad scoring to keep matches shorter.
Golden Point	—	Scoring & Match Terms	Single deciding point played at deuce under no-ad scoring rules.	Returners usually choose to receive from the side that favors their stronger return on the golden point.
Bagel	—	Scoring & Match Terms	Slang for winning a set 6-0, resembling the shape of a bagel.	Commentators note a bagel to highlight dominant stretches or one-sided sets.
Double Bagel	—	Scoring & Match Terms	Slang describing a match won by identical 6-0 sets.	Rare on tour, a double bagel underscores a massive mismatch in level.
Forehand	FH	Shot Techniques	Stroke hit with the palm-facing side of the racket on the player's dominant wing.	Players run around their backhand to strike aggressive inside-out forehands that dictate rallies.
Backhand	BH	Shot Techniques	Groundstroke struck with the back of the hand leading, executed with one or two hands.	Players mix topspin, slice, and flat backhands to change height and tempo mid-rally.
Serve	—	Shot Techniques	Point-opening shot delivered overhead from behind the baseline with two attempts allowed.	Servers vary placement and spin to exploit opponents' return patterns and court position.
Flat Serve	—	Shot Techniques	Serve struck with minimal spin to maximize speed and penetrate through the court.	Commonly deployed on first serves to hit aces or force weak blocks.
Slice Serve	—	Shot Techniques	Serve brushed across the ball to impart sidespin that drags the bounce away from the returner.	Especially effective from the ad court on deuce points to pull opponents off the court.
Kick Serve	—	Shot Techniques	Serve struck with heavy topspin so the bounce jumps high above the opponent's strike zone.	Players target the backhand shoulder to push returners back and lower double-fault risk.
Underarm Serve	—	Shot Techniques	Serve hit with an underhand motion, keeping the toss low to catch returners positioned far back.	Nick Kyrgios popularized it in the modern era when opponents retreated meters behind the baseline.
Return of Serve	—	Shot Techniques	Shot used to respond to the serve, often dictating momentum by neutralizing the server's advantage.	Strong returners attack second serves and block back first serves to start rallies on their terms.
Volley	—	Shot Techniques	Shot contacted before the bounce, typically near the net, to finish points quickly.	A compact swing and firm wrist keep the volley punching through without floating long.
Half Volley	—	Shot Techniques	Shot taken immediately after the bounce before the ball rises, requiring precise timing and low stance.	Often used when opponents dip passing shots at the feet of an approaching player.
Drop Shot	—	Shot Techniques	Softly played shot that barely clears the net and dies quickly to draw opponents forward.	Most effective when disguised with identical preparation to a driving groundstroke.
Lob	—	Shot Techniques	High-arching shot struck over an opponent's head, used defensively or to pass a net player.	Topspin lobs dip sharply while defensive lobs buy time to recover positioning.
Passing Shot	—	Shot Techniques	Groundstroke aimed past a net-rushing opponent to prevent them from finishing the point.	Often struck crosscourt for more net clearance, though the down-the-line pass stays a key option.
Approach Shot	—	Shot Techniques	Aggressive groundstroke struck while advancing toward the net to set up the next volley.	Best struck deep with pace or slice to stay low and force a defensive passing attempt.
Crosscourt Shot	—	Shot Techniques	Stroke hit diagonally across the court, offering more net clearance and margin than a straight shot.	Crosscourt exchanges are the default pattern until a player redirects down the line.
Down the Line	DTL	Shot Techniques	Shot hit along the sideline parallel to the court's length, offering a direct winner opportunity.	Players change direction down the line to surprise opponents expecting another crosscourt shot.
Serve and Volley	S&V	Strategy & Tactics	Strategy where the server rushes the net immediately after serving to finish points with volleys or smashes.	Works best on fast courts and against opponents with weaker passing shots or returns.
Baseline Rallying	—	Strategy & Tactics	Style focused on exchanging heavy groundstrokes from the baseline to control depth and wear down opponents.	Common on clay and slow hard courts where patience and rally tolerance are rewarded.
Counterpuncher	—	Strategy & Tactics	Player archetype that absorbs pace, extends rallies, and converts defense into offense through precision.	Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep exemplify counterpunchers who rely on consistency and depth.
Aggressive Baseliner	—	Strategy & Tactics	Tactical identity built on taking the ball early from the baseline to dictate with pace and angle.	Players like Serena Williams or Jannik Sinner apply constant pressure by stepping inside the court.
Serve Plus One	—	Strategy & Tactics	Pattern where the server plans the immediate next shot after the serve to seize control.	Servers often hit a forehand inside-out as the plus-one ball to keep pressure on the returner.
Percentage Tennis	—	Strategy & Tactics	Approach emphasizing safe targets, crosscourt rallies, and shot selection that minimizes unforced errors.	Often taught in junior development to build consistency before layering aggressive patterns.
Chip and Charge	—	Strategy & Tactics	Tactic where the returner slices the ball low and immediately attacks the net to pressure the server.	Used to disrupt big servers by rushing their first volley and taking time away.
Pattern Construction	—	Strategy & Tactics	Deliberate sequence of shots designed to expose an opponent's weakness and create a finishing opportunity.	Coaches chart patterns such as backhand crosscourt followed by forehand down the line to rehearse match plans.
Let	—	Rules & Officiating	Call that stops the point and orders a replay, most commonly when a serve clips the net and still lands in.	Chair umpires announce "Let"; players may request one if outside interference such as a stray ball occurs.
Foot Fault	—	Rules & Officiating	Serving violation where the server steps on or over the baseline before striking the ball.	Line umpires or electronic systems monitor feet positioning, and repeated faults can draw further penalties.
Double Fault	DF	Rules & Officiating	Loss of the point because both the first and second serves fail to land in play.	Commentators track double-fault counts to illustrate serving pressure, especially on crucial points.
Time Violation	—	Rules & Officiating	Penalty issued when a player exceeds the allotted time between points, set changes, or medical treatments.	First time results in a warning; subsequent offenses cost a serve or point depending on the situation.
Code Violation	—	Rules & Officiating	Disciplinary warning issued for misconduct such as racket abuse, verbal obscenity, or illegal coaching.	Escalates from warning to point penalty, then game penalty, and may ultimately lead to default.
Hindrance	—	Rules & Officiating	Rule covering situations where a player deliberately or accidentally distracts the opponent during the point.	If deemed deliberate, the point is awarded to the opponent; accidental hindrance leads to a let.
Medical Timeout	MTO	Rules & Officiating	Regulated break allowing on-court treatment for an acute medical issue, limited in frequency and duration.	Players receive up to three minutes of treatment after evaluation, with additional penalty if abused.
Toilet Break	—	Rules & Officiating	Limited number of breaks allowed for restroom use, typically one per match with strict time monitoring.	Leaving beyond the allotted minutes can trigger a time violation or code violation.
On-Court Coaching	—	Rules & Officiating	Guidelines determining when coaches may communicate with players during matches, differing by tour and event.	The WTA allows hand signals and verbal coaching at designated times, while Grand Slams traditionally ban constant coaching.
Video Review	—	Rules & Officiating	Technology-assisted system that allows players to challenge line calls through replay, such as Hawk-Eye or electronic line calling.	Players receive a limited number of unsuccessful challenges per set; during full electronic line calling the review is automatic.
Clay Court	—	Courts & Surfaces	Surface made of crushed brick or shale that produces high bounce and slower rallies.	Rewards topspin and sliding movement, demanding patience and stamina.
Grass Court	—	Courts & Surfaces	Natural grass surface known for slick footing, low bounce, and quick points.	Rewards sharp serving and net approaches while punishing shots struck off balance.
Hard Court	—	Courts & Surfaces	Asphalt or concrete base coated with acrylic, providing consistent bounce at medium speed.	Most tournaments on tour use hard courts, allowing diverse tactics from power to defense.
Indoor Hard Court	—	Courts & Surfaces	Hard court staged inside arenas, removing wind and sun to create slicker, faster play.	Favors aggressive baseline hitting and precise serving thanks to predictable bounce.
Carpet Court	—	Courts & Surfaces	Removable synthetic indoor surface that plays fast with skidding bounce, now rare on tour.	Historically favored serve-and-volley players; remaining events mostly on lower tours.
Baseline	—	Courts & Surfaces	Boundary line at the far ends of the court from which players serve and rally.	Baseline depth control decides whether opponents defend or attack short balls.
Service Line	—	Courts & Surfaces	Line parallel to the net that marks the front boundary of the service boxes.	Serve placement must land between the service line and the net within the correct box.
Singles Sideline	—	Courts & Surfaces	Inner boundary lines that define the width of the court for singles play.	Balls landing outside the singles sideline are out in singles but live in doubles if within the alley.
Doubles Alley	—	Courts & Surfaces	Outer lanes between the singles sideline and doubles sideline used only in doubles play.	Serve-and-volley teams target the alley to open space and force defensive lobs.
Deuce Court	—	Courts & Surfaces	Right-hand side of the court (from the server's view) where points begin at deuce.	Servers often deploy slice wide serves on the deuce court to pull returners off the court.
Ad Court	—	Courts & Surfaces	Left-hand side of the court (from the server's view) where advantage points are played.	Lefties enjoy swinging serves on the ad court into a right-hander's backhand.
Center Mark	—	Courts & Surfaces	Small notch at the midpoint of the baseline indicating where servers must stay within during delivery.	Servers use the center mark to line up body serves or disguise wide serves by shifting subtly.
Net Cord	—	Courts & Surfaces	Top band and cable of the net that the ball must clear; contact can deflect shots unpredictably.	A serve touching the net cord and landing in becomes a let; during rallies it can create lucky winners.
Grand Slam Tournament	—	Tours & Events	The four premier annual events—Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open—offering the maximum ranking points.	Singles champions receive 2,000 points; players chase the career Grand Slam by winning all four majors.
ATP Tour	—	Tours & Events	Primary men's professional circuit organized by the Association of Tennis Professionals with 250, 500, and Masters 1000 tiers.	Points earned determine ATP rankings and qualification for the season-ending ATP Finals.
WTA Tour	—	Tours & Events	Premier women's professional circuit operated by the Women's Tennis Association with WTA 250, 500, and 1000 tiers.	Results feed into WTA rankings and qualification for the WTA Finals and Elite Trophy.
ATP Masters 1000	—	Tours & Events	Nine elite ATP tournaments awarding 1,000 points to champions, just below Grand Slams in prestige.	Top-ranked players are expected to compete unless injured, and events span different surfaces throughout the season.
WTA 1000	—	Tours & Events	High-level WTA events that grant 1,000 points to champions and include both mandatory and non-mandatory tournaments.	Serve as pivotal stops leading into the Grand Slams and the WTA Finals race.
ATP 500	—	Tours & Events	Series of men's tournaments awarding 500 points to champions, forming the tour's mid-tier level.	Often scheduled before Masters 1000 swings, making them key tune-ups.
WTA 500	—	Tours & Events	Middle tier of WTA events providing 500 points to champions with strong draws and significant prize money.	Victories here often propel players into the top 20 of the rankings.
ATP Finals	—	Tours & Events	Season-ending championship featuring the top eight singles players and doubles teams in the ATP Race.	Round-robin groups precede knockout semifinals and finals, making every match valuable.
WTA Finals	—	Tours & Events	Season-ending event for the top eight singles players and doubles teams in the WTA Race.	Like the ATP Finals, it uses round-robin groups before semifinals and a championship match.
Davis Cup	—	Tours & Events	Men's national team championship organized by the ITF, historically the sport's premier team event.	Modern format features group stages and knockout ties culminating in a finals week.
Billie Jean King Cup	—	Tours & Events	Women's national team championship, formerly the Fed Cup, mirroring Davis Cup structure.	Rebranded in 2020 to honor Billie Jean King, culminating in a finals week to crown the champion nation.
Olympic Tennis Tournament	—	Tours & Events	Quadrennial event within the Olympic Games awarding medals for singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.	Offers no ranking points but immense national prestige; teams are selected by national federations.
ATP Challenger Tour	—	Tours & Events	Second-tier men's circuit below the ATP Tour where rising players gain ranking points and experience.	Many future stars break through here before transitioning to full-time ATP events.
ITF World Tennis Tour	—	Tours & Events	Entry-level professional tournaments (formerly Futures) for both men and women organized by the International Tennis Federation.	Provides lower prize money but vital ranking points needed to graduate to Challengers and Tour events.
Tennis Racket	—	Equipment & Gear	Primary tool consisting of a frame and strung surface used to strike the ball.	Players select head size, weight, and balance to match their swing mechanics and tactical preferences.
Sweet Spot	—	Equipment & Gear	Area on the string bed where contact feels most solid, providing maximum control and power with minimal vibration.	Customizing string tension and frame specs helps expand or better locate the sweet spot.
String Tension	—	Equipment & Gear	Measure of how tightly strings are strung, listed in pounds or kilograms, influencing control and power.	Tour players typically string between 45 and 60 pounds, adjusting tension to match court speed and weather.
String Pattern	—	Equipment & Gear	Configuration of main and cross strings, often noted as numbers like 16x19, affecting spin and feel.	Open patterns generate easier spin, while dense patterns provide durability and directional control.
Hybrid String	—	Equipment & Gear	Stringing method combining two different string types, such as polyester mains with natural gut crosses, to balance traits.	Popularized on tour to fine-tune durability, spin, and arm comfort without full compromises.
Overgrip	—	Equipment & Gear	Thin wrap applied over the base grip to improve feel, absorb sweat, and fine-tune handle thickness.	Players replace overgrips frequently, sometimes each match or practice, to maintain tackiness.
Replacement Grip	—	Equipment & Gear	The thicker base layer attached to the handle that provides cushioning or a firm leather feel.	Players swap to leather for sharper bevel definition or use cushioned synthetics for comfort.
Vibration Dampener	—	Equipment & Gear	Small accessory inserted between strings to reduce vibration feedback on contact.	Players choose button or worm styles to change feel without affecting string tension.
Tennis Ball	—	Equipment & Gear	Pressurized rubber core covered with felt, standardized in size and bounce for competition.	Balls are changed every seven to nine games on tour to keep bounce and felt consistent.
Tennis Shoes	—	Equipment & Gear	Specialized footwear offering lateral support, cushioning, and outsole patterns suited to specific surfaces.	Players rotate pairs by surface, such as clay herringbone soles or durable hard-court options.
Lead Tape	—	Equipment & Gear	Adhesive strips added to the racket frame to adjust swingweight, balance, and stability.	Tape at 12 o'clock adds power, while 3 and 9 o'clock placements improve torsional stability.
Ball Machine	—	Equipment & Gear	Automated device that feeds balls at set speeds, spins, and intervals for solo practice.	Coaches vary oscillation patterns to rehearse specific rally patterns and footwork.
Seed	—	Entries & Player Status	Player positioned in the draw according to ranking to avoid early matchups against other top competitors.	Grand Slams seed 32 players, while smaller draws may seed eight or sixteen competitors.
Wild Card	WC	Entries & Player Status	Entry granted at the tournament's discretion allowing players without sufficient ranking to join the main draw.	Typically awarded to local favorites, returning champions, or rising prospects.
Qualifier	Q	Entries & Player Status	Player who wins the necessary matches in qualifying rounds to earn a main-draw berth.	Grand Slams add 16 qualifiers to 128-player draws, often bringing momentum from recent wins.
Lucky Loser	LL	Entries & Player Status	Player who loses in the final qualifying round but enters the main draw due to a late withdrawal.	Order of selection follows ranking among final-round losers; multiple lucky losers enter if several withdrawals occur.
Protected Ranking	PR	Entries & Player Status	Status allowing injured players to use their pre-injury ranking for entry into a limited number of events.	Players must be out for at least six months and can invoke the protected ranking for entry but not seeding.
Alternate	ALT	Entries & Player Status	Player on standby to enter the draw if a main-draw participant withdraws before the start of the event.	Alternates frequently appear at ATP or WTA Finals and doubles events where withdrawals occur late.
Special Exempt	SE	Entries & Player Status	Main-draw spot reserved for players still competing deep in the previous week's tournament, preventing qualifying participation.	Frequently used during clay or grass swings when scheduling overlaps cause conflicts.
Walkover	WO	Entries & Player Status	Automatic advancement awarded when an opponent withdraws before a match begins.	Counts as a win for ranking purposes but no statistics such as aces or winners are recorded.
Retirement	RET	Entries & Player Status	Match result recorded when a player stops mid-contest due to injury, illness, or other reason.	Statistics count up to the retirement point; the opponent advances to the next round.