Tennis Glossary - 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.
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 if 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.
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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.
