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Tennis Terminology | D - E - F

D

Daisy cutter

A low shot that skids or takes a very low bounce, usually because of backspin.

Default

The failure or refusal of a player to take part in or complete a match, resulting in a victory for the opponent. Also used as a verb, as in "Smith was forced to default because of a knee injury."

Defensive lob

A high shot, often used against an opponent at or near the net, designed to buy time.

Defensive volley

A volley, usually hit from below the top of the net, simply as a means of returning the opponent's shot to keep a rally going. See offensive volley; volley.

Deuce

When players are tied at 40 (three points each), the score is called "deuce." At deuce, a player must win two points in a row to win the game. If the players split the following two points, the score reverts to deuce.

Deuce court

The receiver's right service court, where he or she receives serve when the score is deuce. The opposite of advantage court.

Double fault

The server is given two attempts at a valid serve. If both attempts fail, it is a double fault and the receiver wins the point. Also used as a verb.

Double hit

The act of striking the ball twice during a single stroke; it results in loss of the point.

Doubles

A match between two teams of two players each.

Doubles court

The playing area for a doubles match, which includes the two alleys as well as the singles court. The area is 78 feet long by 36 feet wide.

Down the line

Descriptive of a shot that is hit straight from near the sideline, as opposed to a cross-court shot.

Drag volley

A volley hit with backspin.

Draw

The process by which matches are arranged and scheduled for a tournament. Generally, seeded players are given byes or scheduled before the draw, and names of the other entrants are then randomly selected to determine match-ups and order of play. The word is also used to mean the schedule itself, after the draw has been completed. See also seed.

Drop Shot

A soft shot that drops just over the net; usually hit with backspin to minimize its bounce. It's most commonly used against an opponent who is playing deep, as contrasted with the chip shot.

Drop volley

A drop shot that's hit before the ball has bounced.

E

Error

A shot that fails to cross the net or lands out of the court, resulting in loss of the point. See forced error; unforced error.

F

Face

The flat area of the racket formed by the strings and bounded by the frame.

Fault

An invalid service attempt. It is a fault if the serve fails to land in the receiver's service court; if the server swings and misses the ball entirely; or if the serve is made from beyond the baseline or from the wrong side of the center mark. See also double fault; foot fault; serve.

Fifteen

The first point of a game for either player or side. See point; scoring system.

First flight

The flight of the ball after it leaves the racket and before it bounces.

Flat

Descriptive of a low, fast, straight shot without spin.

Follow through

The motion of the arm and racket after the ball has been struck.

Foot Fault

Usually a fault caused by the server's foot entering the court before the racket contacts the ball. It is also a foot fault if any part of the server's foot is on the wrong side of the center mark, or the server is walking or running while delivering the serve. See also serve.

Foot Fault Judge

An official responsible for calling foot faults. The foot fault judge is positioned on a line with the baseline, on the opposite side of the court from the baseline judge.

Forced error

An error resulting from a good shot by the opponent. See error; unforced error.

Forcing shot

A shot that puts the opponent on the defensive; often an approach shot.

Forecourt

The area between the net and the service line.

Forehand

A shot hit from the racket side of the player's body; the right side for a right-hander.

Forty

The third point of a game for either player or side. If both reach forty, it is called deuce.

Frame

The oval portion of the racket that contains the strings; an unstrung racket.