Tennis Glossary

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1st Return Made % Return Metrics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

🖼️ What

The percentage of first-serve returns put back in play.

📡 The Signal

The returner's survival rate against the bigger serve. Getting the ball back is step one.

🎯 Why It Matters

You can't win a return point if you miss the return. This is the foundation — everything else builds on it.

⭐ Impact

3/5 — Meaningful factor

📏 How it's measured

First-serve returns in play ÷ total first serves faced × 100.

🚧 Common Mistake

Taking a full swing on fast first serves instead of using the server's pace.

🔁 Related Terms

🏆 Practical goal

Above 70%. Below 60% means too many free points for the server.

🛠️ How to improve it

Shorten your backswing, move your ready position forward, and focus on blocking the return deep.

🔤 Shorthand

1st Ret Made %

1st Return Win % Return Metrics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

🖼️ What

The percentage of points won when returning the opponent's first serve.

📡 The Signal

How well you handle the opponent's best weapon. Winning 30%+ here neutralises even strong servers.

🎯 Why It Matters

First serves are the toughest shots to return. Winning a meaningful percentage here takes pressure off the second-return game.

⭐ Impact

4/5 — Key factor

📏 How it's measured

Points won on 1st return ÷ first serves faced × 100.

🚧 Common Mistake

Giving up on first-serve return points — even getting the ball back creates pressure.

🔁 Related Terms

🏆 Practical goal

Above 30%. Below 25% means the server is dominating first-serve points.

🛠️ How to improve it

Work on return positioning and split step timing. Develop a reliable block return for big serves.

📊 Benchmarks

ATP28–35%

WTA32–40%

Junior35–45%

🔤 Shorthand

1st Ret Won %

2

2nd Return Made % Return Metrics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

🖼️ What

The percentage of second-serve returns put back in play.

📡 The Signal

Missing a second-serve return is handing over a free ace. This should be near-100%.

🎯 Why It Matters

A missed second-serve return is one of the most wasteful errors in tennis. It turns the server's weakest moment into a free point.

⭐ Impact

3/5 — Meaningful factor

📏 How it's measured

Second-serve returns in play ÷ total second serves faced × 100.

🚧 Common Mistake

Over-hitting the second-serve return trying to be aggressive before securing the return.

🔁 Related Terms

🏆 Practical goal

Above 85%. Below 80% is a major red flag.

🛠️ How to improve it

Commit to getting the return in play first, attack second. Step forward and take the ball early.

🔤 Shorthand

2nd Ret Made %

2nd Return Win % Return Metrics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

🖼️ What

The percentage of points won when returning the opponent's second serve.

📡 The Signal

Your ability to punish the opponent's vulnerability. This should be significantly higher than 1st return win %.

🎯 Why It Matters

Second serves are where returners should thrive. If you're not winning a majority here, you're leaving break opportunities on the table.

⭐ Impact

4/5 — Key factor

📏 How it's measured

Points won on 2nd return ÷ second serves faced × 100.

🚧 Common Mistake

Returning second serves the same way as first serves — you should be more aggressive.

🔁 Related Terms

🏆 Practical goal

Above 52%. Below 48% means not punishing weak second serves.

🛠️ How to improve it

Step inside the baseline on second serves. Develop an attacking return — drive or chip and charge.

📊 Benchmarks

ATP50–58%

WTA52–60%

Junior50–60%

🔤 Shorthand

2nd Ret Won %

R

Return Points Won % Return Metrics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

🖼️ What

The overall percentage of points won while returning serve.

📡 The Signal

The mirror of Serve Points Won %. A return game above 40% creates constant break pressure.

🎯 Why It Matters

Breaking serve is how you win sets. Strong return numbers put the server under pressure every game.

⭐ Impact

5/5 — Decisive factor

📏 How it's measured

Points won on return ÷ total return points × 100.

🚧 Common Mistake

Trying to hit return winners instead of building return points through consistency.

🔁 Related Terms

🏆 Practical goal

Above 38%. Below 35% means rarely creating break chances.

🛠️ How to improve it

Focus on return depth and consistency before aggression. Get the ball back deep, then look for opportunities.

📊 Benchmarks

ATP35–42%

WTA38–46%

Junior40–50%

Club42–52%

🔤 Shorthand

RPW %

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