Each player has a very different style of play. The giant John Isner (2m08) doesn't play the same way as the lively Diego Schwartzman (1m70). To help you develop your tennis vocabulary, click here! This discipline is full of technical terms, but they're not complicated to understand.
Ace: An ace is a winning serve not touched by the opponent. It means that the first shot of the game has not been caught. The fastest ace is the work of John Isner and his 253km/h. In 2012, Sam Groth went one better with a winning serve at 263km/h, but the Association of Tennis Professionals didn't recognize it.
Cushioning: the art of the beautiful game, the art of surprising. Players are in the habit of shooting hard from the baseline to force their opponent to make a mistake, without being able to get the ball back into the opponent's court. Sometimes, a little finesse doesn't hurt. During a rally, a player may decide to cushion the ball, i.e. hit a shot very close to the net to force his opponent to come up to the net. This shot, as devious as it can be, requires great dexterity.
Break: No, ladies and gentlemen, we're not talking about couples! In tennis, a break means that a player has won the game on his opponent's serve. Most games are won by the player serving, so it's rare to see a break during a set. On the other hand, it is possible to break your opponent if you manage to win the game on his serve.
White game: A white game is often an expeditious one, meaning that a player has won all the points played to win the game played. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0 then game. Whether it's a simple break or the opponent's total domination, a shutout can be an anecdote in a match.
Passing: A successful passing shot is sure to get the crowd on its feet applauding! During a rally, a player may decide to go up to the net to volley the ball (without bouncing). The aim is to surprise your opponent by attacking quickly and well. The attacking player can, however, be surprised by a passing shot, a tense shot along the line. The sprinkler is sprinkled.
