Tennis Court Lyrics – Grace VanderWaal

Meaning of ‘Tennis Court’ Lyrics Explained

Verse 1 Meaning:
In the first part, she talks about feeling tired and a little shaky, like she’s losing strength and time is running out. She’s trying to avoid someone’s gaze because facing it feels too hard or overwhelming. Even though she’s careful and prepared, she’s aware of past mistakes and the emotional scars they left. It’s like she’s stepping onto a field again, ready to try, but still carrying the bruises from before.

Pre-Chorus Meaning:
Here, she explains that she’s keeping herself steady and doing her best to stay in control, but ultimately, the other person has a choice to make. She can’t force them to act, and the decision is theirs. There’s a sense of patience mixed with tension, showing that she’s aware of the limits of her own influence.

Chorus Meaning:
The chorus paints a picture of a relationship stuck in a cycle, going back and forth without progress, like a game that never ends. She feels frustrated and bored because every small step forward seems to get ruined, often by her own mistakes. It’s like keeping score in a game where nobody really wins, showing both the playfulness and the exhaustion of the situation. There’s a push-and-pull dynamic, and she’s very honest about how her actions sometimes make things harder.

Verse 2 Meaning:
In this part, she talks about mornings and new chances, but also about creating distance between what she and the other person want to be. She recognizes that honesty is important, and she hopes that if she opens up, the other person will actually listen. There’s vulnerability here, a wish for connection, and the recognition that communication is tricky but necessary to move forward.

Pre-Chorus Meaning:
Again, she acknowledges that she’s doing her best to keep steady and let the other person take their turn. She can’t control their choice, and the ball being in their court shows both hope and uncertainty. It’s a reminder that relationships need effort from both sides.

Chorus Meaning:
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the same frustrations and cyclical nature of their interactions. The repeated steps forward that end in mistakes make her feel stuck, and keeping score highlights how aware she is of every misstep. The song captures the tension, self-awareness, and playful but exhausting struggle of trying to navigate feelings while figuring out how to connect without hurting the progress they might make.