The returning serve should not be treated like a groundstroke swing – the ball from your opponent’s serve travels faster and you’ll have less time to react to it.
Therefore, when I teach the return of serve, I tell my students to imagine they have a wall or fence behind them. In this way, they should avoid taking the racquet back, otherwise, they’ll hit it against the imaginary fence/wall. A slight shoulder turn and abbreviated backswing should be enough to handle fast-coming serves (see picture below).
Shorten your backswing by imagining yourself returning the serve while having a wall/fence behind your back. That will help you make contact with the fast-coming ball further in front of you.
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.
Returning against a serve-and-volley player can be a difficult task, mostly because this type of opponent possesses a good court coverage knowledge, has a great serve (some of them are masters at spinning the ball), and because the following rally is played at a faster pace due to the short distance between the baseline and net players.
The following tips will help you understand how to play and eventually control the point against this aggressive player:
– When serving with the intention of moving up to the net, the server takes some pace off of the serve so they can have more time to get closer to the net. Considering the slower serve, you will have more time to step into the ball and attack it either cross-court or short into the service court (to the server’s feet).
– You will have to hit the ball aggressively to counteract the spin that is usually imparted on the serve by the approaching player. A smart serve-and-volley player knows that a spin serve will buy them more time to advance and is more difficult to control by the returner. You, as the returner, should not try to block the serve as the player charges the net. Contact should be made early and hit through it with confidence to counteract the spin.
– Don’t rush into finishing the point too early – avoid going for winners on the first two shots. Build the point to where you get the net player either off-balance, stretching, or to you getting a short ball.
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.
Returning a tennis serve is one of the most challenging aspects of the sport. A returner needs to be prepared to react quickly, analyze their opponent’s serve, and make the right decision in a split second. It is important to note that first and second serves should be treated differently. While the first serve can be challenging to return, it is just a matter of getting the ball in play. However, returning the second serve requires more thought and strategy.
1. Psychological: When an opponent misses their first serve, they become tense as they know that failing to deliver their second serve could result in a lost point. This is an opportunity to take control of the point, so stay focused, and watch for any signs of nervousness.
2. Technical: Pay attention to your opponent’s serve tendencies. This is crucial to position yourself correctly for the return. Observe whether they hit the second serve hard or soft, what kind of spin they use, and whether they usually aim deep or short into the service box. This information will help you make better decisions on where to position yourself on the court, which wing to use, and whether to attack or defend the return.
3. Tactical: Analyze your opponent’s serve placement and direction. Do they aim for your weak side? Do they try to keep it deep or just get it in play? This information will help you make more informed decisions during the return.
It is essential to be aggressive with your second serve return, and the best way to achieve this is to take the ball as early as possible and hit it to your opponent’s weak side. This puts pressure on your opponent, especially when they miss their first serve. Use your strong wing to hit the second serve return as often as you can. By doing this, you will take control of the point and put your opponent under pressure.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Try taking notes during the first two receiving games to better understand your opponent’s serve tendencies. By following these three essential steps and remaining focused, you will become a better returner and improve your chances of winning points.
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.
