If the second serve is being continually dominated, it can sometimes help for the server to vary the pace by suddenly hitting a ‘big’ second serve (i.e., significantly increasing the pace of the serve). Even if she misses the shot, this sudden injection of aggressive energy can instantly change the momentum of a match, sending the message that the server is prepared to ‘fight her way out of her corner’. Making just one simple adjustment for only one point of the match may be enough to decrease an opponent’s belief in her return. It could force her to start looking out for the next big second serve and assuming a more defensive returning position in the process. Sometimes reducing the pace of the serve increases its effectiveness. This tactic could be used against an opponent who thrives on pace and who finds it harder to
generate pace herself. Substituting pace for more spin, for example, may prove to be a great tactical solution.
Varying the rhythm of the second serve can help take back the initiative. For example, by taking more time between serves, a player can unsettle an aggressive returner who likes to play quickly. This tactic can be employed to good effect when the server uses her full time allocation between points. Similarly, a server who varies her pre-point routine can often unsettle a returner’s rhythm. For example, varying the number of times she bounces the ball before serving will make it harder for the returner to prepare consistently. However, the server must be careful not
Varying the pace of the second serve can often surprise an to unsettle her °wn rhythm ІП opponent and change the momentum of a match. the process!
Spin
In the men’s game both slice and topspin second serves are commonly used on the tour. Men have more upper- and lower-body strength than women have and generally have longer ‘levers’ and wider shoulders than women do. These physical qualities give them faster and stronger body segments to use when serving, which, in turn, creates more significant amounts of topspin when required. This is not the case in the women’s game because fewer female players possess the strength required to produce such topspin. The slice second serve is therefore used far more often than the topspin because it requires less physical strength to execute effectively. This lack of serving variety in women’s tennis causes the second serve to become much more predictable to return. Players and coaches therefore face an important decision when choosing the type of spin to use in developing the second serve.
As previously mentioned, although most servers can successfully use the slice, very few women currently use topspin second serves on the WTA Tour. Justine Henin-Hardenne,
Sam Stosur, and Alicia Molik are a few of the players who can hit this serve effectively. A topspin serve hit without strength will often ‘sit up’ at an ideal height for a returner to attack. This is especially true when serving down the middle from the deuce court for right-handers and the advantage court for left-handers. The danger with the topspin second serve is that most players can now attack the high bouncing ball with ease. This is especially true for women with double-handed backhands. These players use the strength of both arms to ‘command’the ball and are able to hit early and aggressively. In fact, it is very rare for a woman to be able to hit a topspin second serve high and wide enough to force her opponent to play the shot from outside the singles court. This is the main reason the slice serve is proving more effective: It is much harderto attack a serve that stays low. Figure 1.14 shows how a weak topspin second serve hit out wide from the advantage court can be dominated by the returner. Note howthe wide serve FIGURE 1.14 Returning
has created a natural space for the returner to hit second serve hit out wide
into—either crosscourt or down the line. from the advantage court.
The slice second serve is particularly effective on fast courts and against opponents with extreme grips who find it hard to get ‘underneath’ the ball when it stays low.The movementthatthe slice brings to the ball can also cause problems for opponents because it forces them to hit up over the net rather than allowing them to hit down into the court. It is, therefore, probably the server’s best chance to neutralise the returner’s advantage. Indeed, an aggressive slice serve hit either down the middle, into the body, or out wide can be more effective than a topspin serve that can’t pull an opponent out of her optimal hitting zone. Figure 1.15 shows how a middle or body slice second serve from the advantage court can reduce the angles available to the returner.
Note how the returner’s target area is much more central compared to the topspin serve out wide.
This allows the server more chance to neutralise the rally with her second shot.
The issue of which spins to use on the second serve must be seriously considered. Some coaches insist that their players can hit both the slice and the topspin. Players who can do this will hold a real advantage over their fellow competitors—but they are rare.
To practice the tactics discussed in this section, see drills 1.16 and 1.17 on pages 41 and 42.
Doubles players face the same challenges as the singles player does in terms of using the second serve effectively. Again, containing the threat of an aggressive returning team is crucial and requires sound tactical planning and a proactive, positive approach. the key to containing this threat lies in preventing the returning team from finding a consistent returning rhythm. this is done by varying the serve direction and varying each player’s movement patterns at the net.
Using a combination of slice serves hit down the middle and into the body (to reduce the angles available to the returner) is a good tactic no matter which movement pattern is being used. the slice serve will help to keep the ball low and will be harder to attack.
Crucially, the server’s partner must still look to intercept as much as possible. this is not easy because many players believe that they can only really intercept on their partner’s first serve. players must be more proactive in this situation and be prepared to take some risks to keep the returning team guessing. this is especially true when it comes to playing the big points. At 30-40 the returner is more likely to play her return crosscourt (choosing the higher-percentage return on an important point), so why not plan to intercept this with a volley? The psychological effect that this kind of play will have on the returning team is immense, because a seed of doubt is sown even if the point is lost.
Paying close attention to the opponents’ returning habits will be a great help also. For example, noting when and how often the returning team hits down the line against the second serve is crucial to staying in control of the game. If an opponent hits down the line only occasionally, then intercepting with a volley on her next return is a smart play because she is most likely to return crosscourt again. If the returner continually hits down the line off the second serve, the server’s partner would consider adjusting her position closer to the sideline as a consequence. If the opponent uses the aggressive lob down the line, then the server’s partner may reposition slightly farther back from the net. Picking up on these habits can give the serving team an extra edge that might help them win a greater proportion of crucial second serve points.
