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

She is naturally an aggressive baseliner and stands further in on the return.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2025

Goffin, a baseliner who won his seventh ATP singles title last year on clay in Marrakech, used touch and placement to move his bigger opponent around the court.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 8, 2023

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

During a first-round match against Cameron Norrie of Britain, the Argentine baseliner Diego Schwartzman repeatedly wandered close to his coach, Juan Chela, who spoke to Schwartzman in Spanish.

From New York Times • Sep. 6, 2020

This man is a baseliner of the most pronounced type.

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