The Serve: Your Ultimate Weapon in Tennis
But it’s also one of the hardest to perfect. Serving is a fundamental of the sport because you’re going to struggle to win a match if you can’t hold it.
A strong serve allows you to put immediate pressure on your opponent, as the successes of Pete Sampras, Andy Roddick and Serena Williams showed in past years.
Whether you just play for a hobby or want to be a professional, getting the right coaching is key to making the most of your abilities. A tennis holiday in the sun provides a prime opportunity for this kind of development and Mark Petchey, former coach to two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and current official tennis ambassador with Neilson Active Holidays, has provided some tips for unlocking the power of your serve.
The motion
If you’re starting from scratch, the mechanics of serving will likely feel completely alien. However, the best way to get a feel for it – and it may sound counterintuitive – is to put your racquet down.
Instead, simply stand on the baseline and practise throwing the ball in the same manner. Ensure your leading shoulder is facing down the court when you do, as this will enable you to get sufficient rotation through your other arm.
Have what is known as the “trophy position” in mind as a base for launching your throw. Essentially, this is just having your leading shoulder above the one you’d be serving with.
The ball toss
According to Petchey “if you do want to have a great serve, a consistent ball toss is absolutely crucial” to a good serve. To get an idea of how consistent yours is, stand under a netball or basketball hoop and throw the ball up and through it. If it drops back down through the hoop, you’re on the right track.
Alternatively, put your racquet on the ground in front of your leading foot. Start your ball toss from down by your thigh and aim to get it to drop on the racquet.
The return
Once you’re comfortable with your serve, the next step is to ensure you know how best to return one. If you can’t get a handle on your opponent’s serve, you’re highly unlikely to beat them.
The first thing to perfect is the grip you have on your racquet. To work it out, simply pick your racquet up from the ground and give it a quarter turn – this will allow you to put some spin on the ball.
You can then focus on your feet, which will need to provide you with a wide base. This will give you the best chance of reaching the ball when it’s sent down to you at speed. Bear in mind how the ball reacts on different courts; grass can let the ball slip lower, hard courts keep speed high, while clay has a good bounce.
Hopefully, with these tips, you will be on your way to playing tennis like a professional!
