The Secret Language of Tennis: Weird Terms and What They Actually Mean

Ace, deuce, love, backhand—even if you don’t play tennis, most of us are familiar with some of the basics of tennis terminology. But what about bagel, daisy cutter, and dirtballer? 

We’re wrapping up National Tennis Month by diving deep into the weird and wonderful world of some of those lesser-known tennis terms. By the end of this blog, you’ll be ready to execute the perfect sledgehammer, paint the lines, and talk like a tennis pro.

Bagel

No cream cheese required. A bagel is when a player wins a set 6-0, making the zero resemble a bagel. Delicious for the winner, humiliating for the loser.

Banana shot

Not a fruity weapon, but a wickedly curved shot (usually a forehand) that arcs dramatically around the net post and lands in. Think physics meets finesse.

Breadstick

If a bagel is 6-0, a breadstick is 6-1. The 1 looks like a stick of bread, because apparently, tennis scoring makes everyone hungry.

Can opener

A tricky slice serve from a right-handed player that targets the opponent’s backhand in the deuce court. Opens up the court—and a can of whoop-you-know-what.

Daisy cutter

A low, fast, skimming shot that stays just above the grass or court surface. Lawnmower mode activated.

Dink shot

The most nonchalant of shots. Barely hit, just clears the net, and makes the opponent sprint like it’s the Olympic 100m final.

Dinner set

A rare feast in the tennis world. To earn a dinner set, a player must not only win each of the four Grand Slam titles—Wimbledon, the US Open, the French Open, and the Australian Open—but also finish as runner-up at all four. It’s like collecting a full set of fine china: four shiny winner's plates and four matching silver-plated consolation dishes.

Dirtballer

A clay court specialist who thrives in the red dust.

Egg

In tennis, an egg means a big fat zero on the scoreboard. As in, your opponent didn’t win a single point in that game—you held to love. The term “love” (yep, it means zero) is believed to come from the French l'œuf, meaning “egg,” because, well, it looks like one. (There’s also a less popular theory that it comes from the Dutch lof doen, meaning "to play for honor.”)

Greaser

A sneaky shot or player that consistently makes a sneaky shot that’s within the rules but still not considered fair. It’s greasy, slippery, and usually deeply annoying to return.

Jam

To jam someone is to serve straight at the body. It forces an awkward return.

Junk ball

A weird, spinny, floaty, funky shot with zero rhythm or pace. It’s legal, it’s ugly, and it works if you’re looking to mix up the pace of the game.

Moon ball

A high, loopy shot that reaches for the heavens and lands deep in the opponent’s court.

No man’s land

The awkward area where you’re caught between standing at the baseline or coming to the net. You don’t belong here. No man does. Either go forward or get back.

Paint the lines

Hitting a shot so precisely that it kisses the edge of the line. Also known as a polite way of saying, “Take that.”

Puddler

A puddler is the kind of player who loves to mess with your rhythm by constantly chipping and dropping the ball like they’re skipping stones across a pond. They're not here to blast winners—they're here to annoy you into submission with soft, tricky shots that barely clear the net and die in the front court. Prepare to run, crouch, and question your life choices.

Sledgehammer

This isn’t just a backhand—it’s a statement. A sledgehammer is a crushing two-handed backhand winner blasted straight down the line. It's the tennis equivalent of slamming a door with authority. No frills, no spin, just raw power and pinpoint precision. Opponents don’t chase it—they just watch and wince.

Spank

To spank a shot in tennis is to absolutely wallop a groundstroke—flat, fierce, and fast. No fancy spin, no fluff. Just pure, unfiltered pace.

Throat

The part of the racquet where the handle meets the head. 

Trampolining

When strings are so loose, the ball rockets off them like it’s been launched off a trampoline. Great for power. Terrible for control.

Tweener

A between-the-legs shot, usually hit on the run. High risk, high reward, maximum swagger. Use only if you’re feeling spicy.

Tree

When a player is treeing, they’re on fire in the most unexpected way—hitting every line, making every shot, and playing way above their usual level. Think of it as temporarily turning into a tennis superhero. No one knows how long it’ll last (including them), but while it does, it’s magical.

Happy National Tennis Month!

As we wrap up our series of tennis blogs in celebration of National Tennis Month, we hope you’ve enjoyed this deep dive into the quirks, charms, and secret language of the sport. From bagels to brutalizers and moon balls to tweeners, tennis has a lingo all its own—and now, you’re in on the joke. Until next May, keep your eye on the ball and channel your inner tree! Game, set, match!