Tennis Court Terminology

  • Ad court (short for “advantage court”): the left side of the receiving team, the right side of the opponent’s court as viewed from the server’s side, significant as the receiving side for an Ad point.
  • Alley (Tramlines): the zone between the single court and the doubles court, one on the Ad side, one on the Deuce side. These are only used when playing doubles.
  • Back Court (‘No man’s land’): the area between the baseline and the service line. It is not recommended to play in this area because this is where balls usually bounce.
  • Baseline: The line dividing the “out” area from the “in” area made up of the back line of the back court and the small back side of the alleys.
  • Center line: The line dividing the two service boxes.
  • Center Mark: The 12-inch mark at the halfway point of the baseline used to distinguish the two halves (and service boxes) of a tennis court.
  • Deuce court: the right side of the receiving team, the left side of the opponent’s court as viewed from the server’s side, significant as the receiving side for a deuce point.
  • Middle T: See T.
  • Service box: is made up of the singles boundary and the closest line that runs parallel with the net. There is a left and right service box that is divided by the line running down the center of the court.
  • Service Line: the line that is parallel to the net and is located between the baseline and the net. It marks the end of the service boxes.
  • Side T: The T shape formed by the service line and the sideline. There are two such side Ts.
  • T or Middle T: The T shape formed by the service line and the center line.

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