Tennis

All 18 words in Tennis

• 

  backhand/ˈbækˌhænd/

  n. in tennis, a stroke played with the back of the hand facing forward, swinging the racket across the body.

• break point

  n. in tennis, a point which the receiver will win the game by taking, breaking the server's service game; n. the moment at which pressure causes a person or system to fail.

  The negotiations reached a break point when neither side would compromise.

• deuce

  In tennis, deuce is a score of 40–40, after which a player must win two points in a row to win the game.

  The players reached deuce after a long rally.

• double fault

  In tennis, a double fault is when a player fails both attempts to serve, losing the point.

  She lost the game after a double fault on match point.

• forehand

  A stroke in tennis or another racket sport made by swinging the racket from the side where your palm faces the opponent.

  She hit a powerful forehand down the line to win the point.

• match point

  A point that, if won, will win the match for the player or team who wins it.

  She saved three match points before winning the final set.

• 

  net/nɛt/n

  n. in tennis, the mesh barrier stretched across the middle of the court, which the ball must go over; n. material made of knotted string with holes between.

• racket/ˈrækɪt/n

  A racket is a piece of sports equipment used for hitting a ball, or a loud and unpleasant noise.

• 

  serve/sɜːrv/

  n. in tennis and volleyball, the stroke that puts the ball into play at the start of a point; v. to bring food or drinks to someone.

• serve return

  In tennis, a serve return is the shot played back after an opponent serves.

  Her serve return landed deep in the corner.

• set point

  In a game such as tennis, a set point is a point that would win a player the set if they won it.

  She saved two set points before winning the set.

• 

  slice/slaɪs/n

  n. in tennis, a stroke hit with backspin so that the ball stays low; n. a thin flat piece cut from something; v. to cut into thin pieces.

• 

  smash/smæʃ/v

  n. in tennis, a powerful overhead stroke hit sharply downwards; v. to break something noisily into pieces.

• tennis ball

  A tennis ball is a small, hollow rubber ball covered with fuzzy fabric, used to play tennis.

  She hit the tennis ball over the net.

• tennis player

  A person who plays tennis, either recreationally or competitively.

  The tennis player practices every morning.

• tiebreak

  A special game or round used to decide the winner when a contest is tied.

  They won the match in a tiebreak after the score was tied.

• umpire/ˈʌmpaɪɹ/

  An official who watches a game or match to make sure that the rules are followed.

• volley/ˈvɑli/

  A volley is a return of the ball before it touches the ground, or a sudden burst of many things sent at the same time.