Serve
Tennis serve strategy
The serve is the only shot you control from start to finish. More than speed, a good serve picks the right target for the opponent and the score.
Principles
- 1
Serve to the weaker side
Against a right-hander, on the deuce side the T goes to the backhand; on the ad side, the wide serve goes to the backhand. Find the side they return worse and serve there on big points.
- 2
The second serve is about margin
The second serve has to go in. Use spin (kick or slice) so the ball clears the net high and drops into the box. A double fault on a big point is expensive.
- 3
High-percentage first serves under pressure
On set point, break point or in a tiebreak, prefer a first serve with spin at about 80% power, to the target that has been working. That way you avoid hitting a second serve at the tensest moment.
- 4
Serve plus one
Think of the serve and the next shot together: the wide serve pulls your opponent off the court, and the next ball goes into the open court.
- 5
Mix it up so you are not read
If you always serve to the same spot on big points, your opponent starts waiting for it. Change targets when you see them positioning for your favorite serve.
Example situations
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Serve · Beginner
Serving on the ad side
First serve, 30-15, from the ad side. Your opponent is right-handed, with a strong forehand and a backhand that struggles.
| Score | Games | Points |
|---|---|---|
| You | 2 | 30 |
| Opponent | 1 | 15 |
- Surface:
- Clay
- Opponent style:
- Consistent baseliner
Serve · Intermediate
Against the long-armed returner
First serve from the deuce side. Your opponent has long arms, reaches everything wide and returns with power whenever they have room to swing.
| Score | Games | Points |
|---|---|---|
| You | 2 | 0 |
| Opponent | 1 | 0 |
- Surface:
- Hard court
- Opponent style:
- Counterpuncher