dead rubber n.— «In Davis Cup parlance, it’s called a “dead rubber,” which has nothing to do with the soles of the players’ sneakers. Andy Roddick having spanked Razvan Sabau in straight sets, giving the Americans an insurmountable 3-1...
double bagel n.— «Two-time defending champion Roger Federer warmed up for his third consecutive Tennis Masters Cup final with a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Gaston Gaudio.…Gaudio, seeded seventh, said he’d never lost by such a score. A...
foot fault n. in jurisprudence, a minor criminal or procedural violation; a legal misstep. Etymological Note: This is a direct borrowing from net-based sports, such as tennis, badminton, and volleyball, where a foot fault is the placement of a foot...