Ace – A ball that is served so well that the opponent fails to touch it with his/her racquet

Alley – The area between the singles and doubles sidelines on each side of the court. The singles court is 4.5 feet wider for doubles by the addition of the alley.

Backhand – If you are right-handed, a backhand is a shot you hit on the left side of your body.

Baseline – The line parallel to the net, which defines the outer-most edge of the court.

Double Fault – The failure of both service attempts to be good. The player who double faults loses a point.

Doubles – When two people play against two other people.

Drop Shot – A very soft shot hit just barely over the net. You hit a drop shot to get your opponent up to the net.

Fault – A served ball that does not land in the proper court.

Foot Fault – Touching the baseline with your foot before making contact with the ball on a serve.

Forehand – If you are right-handed, then the forehand is a shot you hit on the right side of your body.

Game – The part of a set that is completed when one player or team wins four points, or two consecutive points after deuce.

Grip – The way you hold a racquet. There are three standard grips: eastern, continental, and western.

Groundstrokes – Strokes made after the ball has bounced, either forehand or backhand.

Head – The part of the racquet used to hit the ball including the frame and strings.

Junior – A child under the age of 18.

Let – A point played over because of interference. A serve that hits the top of the net but is otherwise good.

Lob – A shot that you hit with any stroke high and deep into your opponent's court. You typically use a lob to get the ball past an opponent when he is at the net.

Match – A match is usually 2 out of 3 sets.

Mixed Doubles – Doubles play in which a male and a female team up to oppose another man and woman.

Overhead – A shot hit over your head while you are at the net.

Passing Shot – A forehand or backhand that is hit past an opponent who is at the net.

Seed – A player's rank in a tournament.

Serve – A stroke, made from over your head, which you use to start each point.

Service Line – The line parallel to the net, that defines the outer-most edge of the service area.

Set – When a player or team wins six games by a margin of two (i.e. 6-2, 6-1, 7-5).

Singles – When one person plays against one other person.

Tie-break – A system used to decide a set when the score is 6-6.

Volley – A shot that you hit before the ball bounces, usually at the net.