Wasted -- as tennis ball may have been after lob? (7)
I believe the answer is:
smashed
'been after lob?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'wasted as tennis ball' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'as' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'may have' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for smashed that I've seen before include "Affected by drug" , "completely sozzled" , "Broken in pieces" , "Broke into small pieces" , "Broke; drunk (colloq.)" .)