Tennis Glossary - D to E
D
Daisy cutter
A low shot that skids or takes a very low bounce, usually because of backspin.
Deep
a shot that lands near the baseline, as opposed to near the net
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.
Dirtballer
a clay court specialist
Please note:
Double Bagel
To win a match without losing any games, 6-0 6-0
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. also called "dubs"
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.
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
Eastern grip
strong grip used for groundstrokes, so called because it was developed in the eastern United States that employs separate hand positions for forehand and backhand.
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.
