double fault

noun

: two consecutive serving faults in tennis that result in the loss of a point
double-fault intransitive verb

Examples of double fault in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In her three matches at the Australian Open, Raducanu served 24 double faults and was broken 16 times in six sets. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 Committing 12 double faults, Gauff struggled with her serve, and Linette broke the American four times. Gauff, who turned 21 a few weeks ago, seemed to take control of the second set with a break to draw even at 3-3 and then went up 4-3 on consecutive aces. Manasi Pathak, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 Gauff hit 12 double faults and had 45 unforced errors during her defeat to Linette, who picks up the fifth win against a top-five player of her career. Matias Grez, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025 Gauff started aggressively and committed five double faults in the first set, including three in one game but was broken only once en route to wrapping up the set in 51 minutes when Bencic sent a forehand wide. Staff and News Service Reports, Orange County Register, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for double fault

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of double fault was circa 1909

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Cite this Entry

“Double fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20fault. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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