double fault

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.

double fault

noun

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

verb

1. (intr) to serve a double fault

Word History and Origins

Origin of double fault¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

But her standard dropped in the second set, with four double faults contributing to her lost back-to-back service games early on.

From BBC

Against Sinner, he hit 10 aces to zero double faults, landed 61% of his first serves and won 83% of points behind it.

From BBC

It was a back-and-forth match that at times lacked quality on both sides of the net, with a combined total of 22 double faults and 93 unforced errors.

From BBC

Krejcikova's serving struggles - winning just 28% of points on her second serve in the opener - continued and a pair of double faults at the start of the second set gifted Pegula an early break.

From BBC

Losing serve in the first game - down to sloppy groundstrokes and a double fault on break point - set the tone.

From BBC