baseliner

American  

[beys-lahy-ner] / ˈbeɪsˌlaɪ nər /

noun

Tennis.

1. a player who typically plays near the baseline using ground strokes, as distinguished from one who typically goes to the net.

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baseliner British  

/ ˈbeɪsˌlaɪnə /

noun

1. tennis a player who plays most of his or her shots from the back of court

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Etymology

Origin of baseliner

First recorded in 1900–05; baseline + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The powerful baseliner has never reached the second week of a major and seemed to lack confidence at times against Kostyuk - seemingly systematic of her lack of her form.

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2025

She also defeated the Chinese baseliner in January on her way to the semifinals in Hobart, Australia.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 26, 2024

That allows him to lengthen exchanges and make even a consummate baseliner like Djokovic put in extra work to earn a point.

From Washington Times • Jul. 5, 2022

Cilic won 26 of the 36 exchanges that lasted between five and eight strokes — a huge margin against a baseliner of Medvedev’s abilities.

From New York Times • May 30, 2022

This man is a baseliner of the most pronounced type.

From The Art of Lawn Tennis by Tilden, William (Bill) Tatem