double fault

American  

noun

1. (in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) two faults in succession, resulting in the loss of the point, the loss of the serve, or both.

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double fault British  

noun

1. the serving of two faults in succession, thereby losing a point

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verb

1. (intr) to serve a double fault

Etymology

Origin of double fault

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

On show too were the lapses in concentration, none more egregious than a double fault in the second set that sent the match to a decider.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

It was saved, but against the odds he got the job done on Alcaraz's next service game courtesy of the top seed firing down a double fault.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

Shelton had the only break point of the second set but an increasingly confident Auger-Aliassime saved it, before clinching the tie-breaker on a wild double fault from his opponent.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2025

Vacherot seized the chance to go ahead in the fourth game of the second set after a double fault by the 22-year-old Dane, but Rune hit back almost immediately.

From Barron's • Oct. 9, 2025

He instinctively picks up the “giss” of a double fault.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell