Do you need to improve your return of serve? Check out this guide on how to improve return of serve in tennis to find out more.
In tennis, your entire game can be summed up in two actions: serving and receiving. But what does it really take to master the perfect serve and return? Granted that you’ll have to execute countless returns of serve throughout your matches, many will say that it is one of the most important strokes in the game of tennis. As you level up your technique, your serves will be one of the most polished strokes you’ll develop, which can ultimately decide if you enter the win column or not.
For most tennis coaches and trainers, making time to perfect returns of serve is essential in taking a player’s game to the next level. Allotting ample time to focus on lessons, footwork, and technique certainly pays off when gauged against the world’s top 10 ranked players. Typically, most tennis champions are among the best return of serve players in any grand slam tournament and it’s not difficult to figure out why.
Mastering the return of serve in tennis
Among the top players who have perfected their returns of serve include Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic -- all champions in various tournaments who know that well-prepared returns can set up a strong offensive shot. The most successful returns of serve leave opponents in a defensive stance that can quickly mess up their footwork, usually resulting in more forced errors.
In any tennis match, the first serve usually is the most difficult to return and it will take a great deal of practice to be able to neutralize it effectively. Chances of the server winning a point are greater on first serve, so every successful return gives you a chance to counter that point opportunity.
For instance, take how Federer uses his backhand block or chip return against first serves to take control of the ball’s pace and neutralize it for a good back and forth. Studying the champion’s footwork will also show you that he often aims for a higher percentage of returns for both first and second serves to turn the pressure around for his opponent.
The next time you practice your returns in tennis, hit as many balls as you can in a row and try to shuffle the direction of your strokes to keep the pressure on your opponent. Start from short swings then gradually transition into block returns so that the ball rebounds off your racquet in the direction you are aiming at. Move a bit further back behind the baseline so you have enough distance to react and receive stronger and faster first serves.
Neutralizing the first serve
When receiving the first serve, your main focus should always be how to regain control and placement of the ball. With this, you have to land your shots in directions that won’t allow your opponent to hit you back with a strong drive.
To neutralize the first serve, hit the ball high over the net to make its trajectory slower and get your opponent to run towards the deeper end of his side of the court. You can get the ball high over the net by returning it via a semi-circular arc, which you can achieve by aiming at least two racquet lengths above the area over the net that you are aiming for. With a slow racquet movement and perfect control, your forward shot motion will shave some speed off the ball.
Good footwork plays a great role in accomplishing a successful return of serve while getting your opponent on the run. Do this by angling your racquet away from your opponent as you hit the ball. Maintain a firm grip and draw a line with your racquet out to the spot you are aiming for so your opponent has to chase the ball. Lengthen your racquet’s path as much as you can towards your target spot to increase your swing and allow the ball to gain momentum and depth as you make the return of serve. Perfecting this technique will show you how your opponent will always retreat from the net rather than attack to receive your return.
Full strength returns
When practicing your returns of serve, hit the ball in every possible direction you can including those cross-court forehand returns. This way, you can focus more on which returns work best for your style of play, and which ones need a little more work.
It also helps to copy a few of our mentioned champions’ moves and techniques and try applying them during one of your practice matches. Be consistent in how you master the various tennis techniques that work for you so you can better direct the ball to hit the right spots.
Once you feel like you can neutralize first serves, try reviewing the patterns that your opponents take on their succeeding serves. Observation makes it easier for you to anticipate how you’re going to deal with the succeeding returns and will give you more leverage to control the ball for a point. Try directing your return of serve in a way that your opponent will hit the next shot and volley the ball back into your most dominant position. Setting up every play should be part of your game plan and learning how to control your return serves and repeat them as necessary instead of going for cleaner shots. If your opponent is right-handed, placing your forehand return down the line will make them go on the backhand corner of the court which makes it harder for them to gain control. Soon, your opponents will keep on hitting cross-court into your backhand then return the ball down the line once again to keep them running.
Once you’ve got your return of serve basics down pat, you are in a better position to put more pressure on your opponent or adjust at scale if you still keep on missing several first tennis serves. This would then require you to review your opponent’s footwork, providing you with clues on how to react quicker during a match. Study your opponent’s rhythm per serve, where they usually toss the ball, their forehand and backhand techniques, where they would like to position themselves on the court, and where they are most likely to return the ball. Once you have identified his techniques, the more you can adjust with ample time to complete a successful attacking return.
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