Why just watch a tennis match when you can play along? Tennis drinking games add a playful twist to your favorite tournaments, blending the excitement of the sport with spirited fun. Whether it’s sipping for faults, chugging during tie-breaks, or laughing over ridiculous rules, these games are perfect for turning any match into a lively party.
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What Are Tennis Drinking Games?
Tennis drinking games are a playful way to transform your match-watching experience into a social event. The concept is simple: tie drinking cues to common tennis occurrences. Did someone hit an ace? Sip! Is the umpire arguing a challenge? Take a shot!
These games add excitement to already nail-biting matches, making them ideal for parties or casual gatherings. They’re especially popular during major events like Wimbledon, the US Open, or even Olympic tennis matches, where tradition and international drama take center stage.
Popular Tennis Drinking Games for Every Match
Wimbledon Drinking Game
Wimbledon isn’t just about tennis; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Celebrate it with these game rules:
- Sip when: The camera shows strawberries and cream or royal spectators.
- Take a shot when: A player challenges a call or a commentator mentions the word “historic.”
- Finish your drink if: A match ends in a tie-break or Federer is mentioned (even if he’s not playing).
General Tennis Drinking Game Rules
Perfect for any match, this game is as versatile as your drink selection:
- Sip for: Faults, double faults, or whenever a commentator says “unforced error.”
- Take a gulp if: A set ends or there’s a long rally (15+ shots).
- Down your drink if: A player breaks their racket in frustration.
Olympic Tennis Drinking Game
Add an international twist to your drinking fun:
- Drink whenever: A player’s country flag is shown on screen.
- Take two sips if: The commentators mention a player’s Olympic debut.
- Chug if: A match-winning point sparks a celebration dance.
Drinking Games for Live Tennis
Nothing brings a tennis drinking game to life like interacting with a live match. Make the most of every serve, rally, and commentator cliché with these ideas:
Printable Scorecards
Design fun scorecards for guests to track their drinking triggers. Include categories like:
- “Player breaks their racket.”
- “Ball hits the net on a serve.”
- “Commentator mentions a sponsor (e.g., Rolex, Wilson).”
- “Unforced error”
- “Great court coverage”
- “What a rally!”
- “The crowd goes wild!”
Print and hand them out with a pen to keep everyone invested.
Live Betting with Drinks
Add a gambling twist to your game:
- Set match predictions: Each person bets on the winner of a set or match. Wrong guesses drink!
- Point-by-point guessing: During a tight rally, guess the point winner. Losers sip for every shot missed.
Interactive Commentator Challenges
Turn the commentary into part of the game:
- Drink on clichés: Sip every time you hear phrases like “What a rally!” or “That’s vintage Federer!”
- Spot the sponsor: Take a gulp every time the camera lingers on a logo or sponsor ad.
Virtual Watch Party Fun
Hosting remotely? Share a video link and play together online:
- Use apps like Zoom or Discord to watch matches and track penalties.
- Create a shared digital scoreboard so everyone can see the results in real-time.
DIY Tennis Drinks and Snacks
Turn your live tennis watch party into an exciting sports drinking game! Serve these themed drinks and snacks to keep the energy up and the vibes fun—perfect for match day celebrations with a competitive twist.
Tennis Drinks
1. The Grand Slam Smash
- Ingredients: 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz lemon juice, 1 oz simple syrup, fresh mint leaves, crushed ice.
- Instructions: Muddle mint and simple syrup in a shaker, add bourbon, lemon juice, and ice. Shake and serve with a mint sprig.
2. Serena Slam Spritz
- Ingredients: 3 oz Prosecco, 2 oz Aperol, 1 oz soda water, orange slice.
- Instructions: Mix Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water in a wine glass over ice. Stir and garnish with an orange slice.
3. The Federer Fizz (Mocktail)
- Ingredients: 1 oz lime juice, 1 oz elderflower cordial, club soda, lime wheel.
- Instructions: Combine lime juice and elderflower cordial over ice, top with club soda, and garnish with lime.
4. Clay Court Cooler
- Ingredients: 2 oz tequila, 1 oz orange liqueur, 1 oz lime juice, grenadine.
- Instructions: Shake tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Serve over ice, drizzle grenadine for a “red clay” look.
5. Ace It Sangria
- Ingredients: 1 bottle white wine, ½ cup brandy, 2 cups sparkling water, mixed fruits (berries, oranges, apples).
- Instructions: Combine wine, brandy, and fruits in a pitcher. Chill for 2 hours. Add sparkling water and ice before serving.
DIY Tennis Snacks
1. Scones with Jam and Cream
- Ingredients: Freshly baked scones, strawberry jam, clotted cream.
- Instructions: Slice scones in half, spread jam on one side, and top with clotted cream. Serve fresh for a classic Wimbledon vibe.
2. Strawberries and Cream
- Ingredients: Fresh strawberries, whipped cream.
- Instructions: Wash and hull strawberries. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream on the side or drizzle over the top.
3. Tennis Racket Mini Sandwiches
- Ingredients: Bread, your choice of fillings (e.g., cucumber, smoked salmon, or egg salad).
- Instructions: Cut sandwiches into tennis racket shapes using a cookie cutter. Add your favorite fillings and serve as fun finger food.
Creative Rules for Tennis Drinking Games
If you’re ready to take your tennis drinking games to the next level, here are some wildly creative and funny twists. These aren’t your average sip-and-gulp rules—they’re designed to keep you laughing while you enjoy the match. Let the absurdity begin!
1. Strawberries & Sips
A homage to Wimbledon’s iconic strawberries and cream tradition:
- Snack for shots: Assign a small snack (like a strawberry) for every ace scored. If you forget to eat yours by the end of the set, you take a penalty drink.
- Berry roulette: Hide a small shot of something strong under one out of several strawberries on a tray. Whoever picks it must drink up—surprise!
2. Ball Boy Blitz
Get silly with this mini-game:
- Quick reactions: Whenever a player throws or drops their racket, the first person to yell “Ball boy!” is safe. Everyone else drinks.
- Serving duty: Appoint one player as the “ball boy” or “girl” who must refill everyone’s drinks during breaks. If they fail to serve drinks within a time limit, they drink as punishment.
3. Net Flop Fiasco
Tennis nets don’t always cooperate, and this game takes advantage of that:
- Fault and flop: Whenever a ball hits the net during a serve, everyone does a “cheers” and drinks.
- Net save: If a ball miraculously rolls over the net, the last person to clap drinks twice for their lack of enthusiasm.
Bonus Tip for Wild Fun
Combine multiple games into a “tennis decathlon.” Start with simpler rules and build up to the more physical challenges as the match progresses. Just don’t forget to include water breaks—you’ll need them!
With these over-the-top variations, your tennis drinking game will be the stuff of legends. Cheers to a match made in party heaven!