avoiding double faults in tennis

Are you tired of serving double faults and giving your opponents free points?

How frustrating is it to see the tennis ball in your hand, giving you total control of the beginning of the point yet… you fail to get one out of the two serves in?

The following tips will help you avoid missing your serves, and enjoy your tennis:

1. Use Spin
Imparting slice or topspin on your serves (the second attempt, in particular) will save you from giving points away, or being in a defensive position on your opponent’s return.
The spin brings the ball down due to the air friction, therefore you will not miss long… too often. 

2. Relax Your Arm
Begin your serving motion with your hands and arms relaxed, in front of your hips. Many times I notice people beginning their serve motion by holding the ball and racquet too high (chest level) before tossing the ball – this action tightens the shoulders and arms.
Keep a loose grip on the racquet at all times.

3. Breath
Your breathing should be slow and deep before you begin the service motion.
Inhale as you toss the ball up, then exhale as you swing up to hit it. 

4. Toss It Right
One way that will improve your toss consistency (and as a result, your serve) is to always “push” the ball up with as little spin as possible. That action will relax your arm and your toss will not affect your body balance.

5. Visualization
Before you toss the ball up, visualize the racquet hitting it, the ball going over the net, and landing in the desired spot inside the opposite service box.
This is probably the most powerful aspect of your serve – seeing and believing what you want to happen. 

Try these pieces of advice, not in the match, but in your practice first. Then, as they become habits, you will carry them into your matches.

Cosmin Miholca

Cosmin Miholca

Certified Tennis Coach

Check out my work at WebTennis24 where I share with you my best video tennis lessons, drills and tips for players, coaches and tennis parents.