The serve holds a paramount position in tennis, being considered one of the most pivotal shots in the game. What makes it distinctive is the fact that it grants you absolute control, providing a prime opportunity to gain a substantial advantage over your opponent. Surprisingly, many players across different skill levels struggle with the intricacies of executing a proficient serve. The complexity lies in mastering various components such as the stance, toss, and precise contact with the ball, making it a challenging aspect for many players to grasp initially. Let’s delve into the foundational aspects of the serve.
The set-up (phase 1)
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Positioning for the serve begins with your left foot placed right up to the baseline, pointing towards the right net post. Ensure your back foot runs parallel to the baseline, maintaining a shoulder-width distance between both feet. Secure the ball on the strings and rotate your chest away from the net. Keep your body loose and relaxed, promoting maximum acceleration as you prepare to execute the serve.
Pro tip: When assuming this stance, avoid pointing your knuckles skyward on your hitting hand. Instead, curl your wrist inward and direct your knuckles toward the ground. This adjustment facilitates pronation, enhancing your ability to execute a powerful serve.
Splitting the arms (phase 2)
Entering the second phase of the serve, it’s essential to begin the arm separation before reaching the trophy position (phase 3). Maintain a relaxed state and visualise a seamless motion for optimal explosiveness. Keep your wrist either curled in or at least straight; avoid opening it, as this action could lead to the strings opening and diminish the effectiveness of pronation. Keep the strings facing inward throughout this phase.
Trophy position (phase 3)
This crucial phase of the serve warrants a closer look. By this point, you’ve completed the toss, and your upward swing is poised to connect with the ball. Ensure your tossing arm is fully extended while your hitting arm remains bent. Keep the strings from opening to enable pronation during the serve. Envision a scenario where you’re balancing a coin on the top of your racquet frame to maintain the right positioning of your racquet. Whether you adopt a pinpoint or platform stance, ensure your legs are slightly bent and ready to propel you into the serve.
Image courtesy of Yann Caradec https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adrian_Ungur_Serve.jpg
Pro tip (ball toss): Achieving the right technique in your serve becomes challenging without a consistent ball toss. To ensure toss consistency, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with the correct method, allowing you to replicate it successfully each time. From phase 1, begin with a slight hold of the ball and racquet to your right, akin to a 1 o’clock position if straight ahead is 12 o’clock. As you initiate the toss, maintain an extended arm, throwing the ball upward in a straight line. Aim for the ball to leave your hands around eye level, while your hand continues moving upward until it can’t reach any higher.
Racquet drop (phase 4)
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Moving from the trophy position, the first step in the acceleration phase involves the racquet drop. It’s crucial not to force the racquet head down physically. Instead, maintain a relaxed grip and loose arms, focusing on leading with your elbow. Excessive tension can impede the natural racquet drop and might lead to a pancake serve lacking acceleration and pronation.
Contact point (phase 5)
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As you ascend into the serve, aim for a contact point aligned with your right shoulder, fully extended. Envision seeing the ball on the strings at contact. Seeing the contact on the strings helps maintain a lifted head, preventing a collapse that often leads to hitting in the net. Remember, the initial stages of the serve, you should be turned away from the net, but by phase 5 here, ensure you’ve uncoiled your hips and shoulders, facing almost entirely completely square.
Pro tip: It might take some experimentation to find your ideal contact point, as individual preferences and playing styles vary. Adjustments can be made based on your comfort and the desired outcome. Start with the above, and then play around with it to find what works the best for you.
The finish (phase 6)
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Complete your serve by finishing with the racquet positioned by your opposite hip. During this motion, keep your non-dominant arm tucked in, ensuring the racquet head travels through the ball. As you progress in improving your serve, you’ll learn to adjust your swing and manipulate spins by tweaking the face of the racquet. However, for now, focus on flatter serve making good contact on the ball consistently. With your feet, land on your lead foot and give a slight kick back with your other foot. This will help with your balance and weight transfer.
Summary
These guidelines outline the six different stages of a service motion, but it’s essential to experiment and discover what works best for your game. The serve is unique because you have complete control over it, unlike other shots. Consider that the average recreational tennis player may hit approximately 100 forehands for every 1 serve. Emphasise the importance of not neglecting your serve, as it stands out as one of the most crucial shots in the game. Make the most of this opportunity to elevate your overall tennis performance.
Learn from the best:
Watch videos on youtube of these top servers..
Roger Federer: Federer has consistently showcased a powerful and precise serve throughout his career, contributing to his success on the court.
Pete Sampras: Widely regarded as one of the greatest servers in tennis history, Sampras’ serve was a dominant weapon, playing a significant role in his 14 Grand Slam titles.
Goran Ivanišević: Known for having one of the most potent serves, Ivanišević’s left-handed delivery and ability to hit aces were remarkable.
Novak Djokovic: Djokovic is known for his all-around game, and his serving has become increasingly formidable over the years, contributing to his success on the tour.
Ivo Karlovic: Standing at 6 feet 11 inches tall, Karlovic holds the record for the most career aces in professional tennis. His serve is a dominant force.
John Isner: Another player known for his tall stature, Isner possesses a powerful serve that has allowed him to excel in numerous service games and tiebreaks.