Unit 7 Vocabulary: English for Tennis

Verb (infinitive)
Ace
A serve that the other player cannot touch.
She served an ace to win the game.
Verb (infinitive)
Backhand
A shot made with the back of the hand facing the ball.
He hit a backhand over the net.
Noun (person)
Ball boy
A person who collects balls and gives them to players.
The ball boy ran to grab the ball.
Noun (thing)
Baseline
The line at the back of the court.
He stood near the baseline to return serve.
Verb (infinitive)
Break
To win a game when the other player is serving.
He made a break in the second set.
Noun (person)
Coach
The person who trains the player.
The coach watched from the stands.
Noun (place)
Court
The area where tennis is played.
The court was made of clay.
Noun (thing)
Deuce
When the score is 40–40.
The game went to deuce after a close rally.
Verb (infinitive)
Forehand
A shot made with the palm facing the ball.
She hit a strong forehand down the line.
Noun (thing)
Line
The mark that shows the edge of the court.
The ball hit the line and stayed in.
Noun (thing)
Match
The whole game between two players or teams.
He won the match in straight sets.
Noun (thing)
Net
The thing in the middle the ball must go over.
The ball touched the net on the serve.
Noun (thing)
Point
A unit of scoring in tennis.
He won the point with an ace.
Verb (infinitive)
Rally
A long series of hits between players.
They had a long rally before the point ended.
Verb (infinitive)
Return
To hit the ball back after a serve.
He made a strong return down the line.
Verb (infinitive)
Serve
To start a point by hitting the ball into the other player's side.
She served the ball fast and low.
Noun (thing)
Set
A part of the match made up of games.
She won the first set 6-3.
Noun (thing)
Tiebreak
A special game played when a set is tied.
She won the tiebreak 7–5.
Noun (person)
Umpire
The official who makes calls and watches the game.
The umpire called the ball out.
Verb (infinitive)
Volley
To hit the ball before it bounces.
He hit a volley close to the net.
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