Certain tennis shot

SLICE

This shot is often used defensively to keep the ball low and is known for its backspin, making it tricky to return. Think of a kitchen utensil with a similar name.

A "slice" in tennis is a shot where the ball is struck with a sidespin or backspin, making it skid low and stay close to the net. The clue plays it straight—no wordplay or tricks—just a direct reference to this common tennis term. If you’ve watched matches, you’ve likely seen players use it to disrupt their opponent’s rhythm or buy time to recover.