Serve (tennis)
In tennis, a serve is the act of starting a point by striking the ball with a racket in an overhand motion, typically from behind the baseline and within the service box boundaries. It is the initial shot of each point and a critical component of a player's strategy.
Purpose:
The primary goal of the serve is to legally put the ball into play and ideally gain an immediate advantage in the point. A well-executed serve can be an offensive weapon, forcing the opponent into a defensive position or even resulting in an ace (an unreturnable serve).
Execution:
The serve is typically executed in the following steps:
- Stance: The server stands behind the baseline, usually to the right or left of the center mark, depending on whether they are serving into the deuce or ad court, respectively.
- Toss: The server tosses the ball into the air, slightly in front of their body and to the side of their hitting arm. The quality of the toss is crucial for a consistent and effective serve.
- Swing: The server swings the racket upward and forward, aiming to make contact with the ball at the highest point possible. Different grips (e.g., continental, eastern, western) influence the type of serve produced.
- Contact: The server strikes the ball with the racket face, imparting spin and/or power depending on the intended serve type.
- Follow-through: The server continues the swing motion after contact, typically towards the opposite side of the court.
Types of Serves:
- Flat Serve: A serve with minimal spin, aimed for power and speed. It travels relatively straight through the air.
- Slice Serve: A serve with sidespin, causing the ball to curve to the side and bounce away from the opponent. Often used to pull the opponent wide.
- Topspin Serve: A serve with topspin, causing the ball to dip rapidly and bounce high. Can be difficult to return effectively.
- Kick Serve: A serve with a combination of topspin and sidespin, producing a high bounce and a significant sideways kick.
Rules and Regulations:
- The server must stand behind the baseline and within the service box boundaries.
- The server has two attempts to legally serve the ball into the service box diagonally opposite them.
- If the first serve is a fault (out of bounds or hitting the net and not going in), the server gets a second serve.
- If both serves are faults, it is a double fault, and the opponent wins the point.
- A serve that hits the net and lands in the service box is called a "let" and is replayed.
Strategic Importance:
The serve is often considered the most important shot in tennis, as it is the only shot a player has complete control over. A strong serve can dictate the flow of the match and give the server a significant advantage. Players often develop specialized serve routines and strategies to maximize their effectiveness.