The starting position for the tennis serve: mastering the technique

The starting position is crucial to the correct execution of the movement. Before serving, position yourself behind the baseline, in the area corresponding to the side you are serving from. If you are serving the first ball, you should stand on the right-hand side of the court and aim for your opponent’s diagonal service area. If you’re serving the second ball, stand on the left-hand side of the court, still aiming for the opposite diagonal.
If you are right-handed, your left foot should be slightly forward, pointing towards your opponent’s service line. The right foot should be slightly behind, at an angle to allow the body to rotate smoothly on impact. If you are left-handed, reverse these positions.

• Left foot forward for a right-hander (reverse if you are left-handed)
• Right foot placed behind, slightly turned towards the net
• The racket in your right hand (or left for left-handers), ready for action
• Your left arm holds the ball, ready to throw.

The grip of the racket is an essential part of a successful tennis game. The hammer grip is generally the most recommended. This technique gives you good control of the ball while maximising power and spin. With this grip, the racket is held in such a way that your hand is in the same position as if you were holding a hammer.
This grip allows great flexibility in choosing the type of serve: chopped, lifted or flat. It is therefore very useful for both beginners and advanced players.

This is undoubtedly one of the most critical aspects of the tennis serve. If it’s poorly executed, it becomes almost impossible to deliver a good serve. Here are the keys to a good serve:

1. Left arm straight: The arm holding the ball (generally the left arm for right-handed players) must remain straight during the throw.
2. Throw high and accurately: The ball should be thrown high enough to allow the player to fully extend his arm at the moment of impact. The gesture must also be stable, so that the ball always lands in the same place.
3. Vertical line: Ideally, the ball should be thrown in a vertical line, directly above your head, to maximise accuracy and power.

The cocked position is when the body and racket are ready to hit the ball. If you are well prepared, your strokes will be more fluid and your shots more effective. Here are the steps:

1. Throwing the ball: As soon as the ball is thrown, the racket comes down behind the body.
2. Body rotation: The body begins to rotate, with the shoulders turned slightly towards the net.
3. Raising the racket: The racket rises, ready to hit the ball, with the opposite arm pointing upwards to maintain balance.

The arm holding the racket should remain relaxed but ready to spring into action to generate good power. By turning the shoulders and leaning on the back leg, the player can generate more speed at impact.
 

When hitting the ball, the racket should strike the target at the top of the throw. To maximise power, it’s important to use the rotation of the body and racket together. Here are the key points:

1. Contact with the ball: The shot should be made when the ball is at the highest point of the throw. Your arm should be fully extended, with the wrist slightly relaxed to facilitate the movement.
2. Follow-through: After the shot, your arm should follow the direction of the target, and your body should continue its forward movement to finish in balance.

For an effective serve, it’s crucial to follow through and not block the movement after impact.