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ART-807: Return of Serve Development and Strategy

Executive Summary

The return of serve is the second-most hit shot in tennis and arguably the most important defensive stroke. Facing serves of 120-150 mph requires exceptional reaction time, anticipation, and technical efficiency. A strong return neutralizes big servers and creates break opportunities; a weak return gives away free points and cedes initiative. Developing the return involves mastering positioning, blocking technique, and tactical awareness against different serve types and placements.

Return Positioning

First Return Positioning

  • Standard Position: 1-2 meters behind the baseline, slightly toward the center of the court. Adjust based on the server's tendencies.
  • Against Big Servers (130+ mph): Move 2-3 meters behind the baseline to gain reaction time. Accept a deeper contact point for the block.
  • Against Slower Servers (under 100 mph): Move closer to or in front of the baseline to take the ball early and attack.
  • Deuce Court: Position slightly to the right of center (for right-handed returners) to cover the wide slice serve.
  • Ad Court: Position slightly to the left to cover the backhand side, where most serves are directed.

Second Return Positioning

  • Move 1-2 meters inside the baseline to attack the typically slower second serve
  • Be prepared to step in and drive the return
  • The goal shifts from neutralizing to attacking

Return Grips and Technique

The Block Return

Used primarily against big first serves:

  • Grip: Continental or slight Eastern forehand. Minimal grip adjustment needed.
  • Preparation: Short backswing—the racket is simply positioned in front of the body.
  • Stance: Athletic stance with weight forward, knees bent.
  • Contact: The racket acts as a wall, absorbing the serve's pace. The swing is a short, punching motion.
  • Follow-Through: Minimal, directed toward the target.
  • Key: The player must watch the ball hit the racket face. The body turns slightly to direct the return crosscourt or down-the-line.

The Drive Return

Used against second serves and slower first serves:

  • Grip: Standard forehand or backhand grip.
  • Preparation: Full backswing with unit turn.
  • Stance: Open or semi-open stance for quick recovery.
  • Contact: Full swing through the ball, adding pace and directing to a target.
  • Follow-Through: Full follow-through across the body.
  • Key: This is an attacking return designed to put the server on the defensive.

The Slice Return

Used as a variation or when stretched wide:

  • Grip: Continental grip.
  • Preparation: Racket taken back high.
  • Contact: A high-to-low chopping motion creating backspin.
  • Effect: The ball stays low after the bounce, making it difficult for the server to attack.

Tactical Return Strategies

Returning First Serves

  1. Priority: Get It In Play. First serve return success rates at the ATP level are approximately 65-70%. The primary goal is neutralization, not aggression.
  2. Return Deep and Crosscourt. The safest and most effective return is deep and crosscourt, landing near the baseline in the server's backhand corner.
  3. Block the T Serve. When the serve comes down the T, block it back to the server's feet or slightly to either side.
  4. Accept the Wide Slice. On wide slice serves, the return is often defensive—a deep block or lob to recover position.

Returning Second Serves

  1. Attack the Second Serve. Second serves are the primary break opportunity. The returner should move inside the baseline and drive the return.
  2. Target the Server's Weaker Side. Direct returns to the server's backhand or weaker groundstroke.
  3. Hit Behind the Server. If the server is moving to the net, hit the return behind them (to the side they just left).
  4. Approach the Net. An aggressive second serve return can be followed by a net approach to finish the point.

Serve-and-Volley Returns

When facing a serve-and-volleyer:

  1. Hit at the Server's Feet. The most effective return is low and at the server's feet as they approach the net.
  2. Hit Behind the Server. If the server moves to one side, hit behind them to the open court.
  3. Lob Over the Server's Head. An effective disguise that forces the server to turn and retreat.
  4. Drive Down the Line. A hard, flat return down the line catches the server moving the wrong way.

Anticipation and Reading the Serve

Visual Cues

  • Toss Placement: The ball toss reveals the serve type. A toss to the right indicates a slice serve; a toss above the head indicates a kick serve.
  • Body Position: The server's shoulder rotation and body alignment indicate direction.
  • Racket Face Angle: The racket face at contact reveals spin type and direction.

Pre-Point Analysis

  • Review the server's tendencies: Where do they serve on break points? What is their go-to serve on the ad court?
  • Note patterns: Many servers have predictable sequences (e.g., wide then T, or slice then kick).
  • Adjust positioning based on the server's recent patterns.

Common Return Errors and Corrections

Error Cause Correction
Returns lack depth Late contact, insufficient body rotation Practice blocking with emphasis on forward weight transfer
Returns go into the net Poor judgment of serve pace, late reaction Move deeper; practice against progressive speed serves
Cannot handle big serves Insufficient block practice, poor positioning Dedicated block return drills; adjust return position
Predictable return placement Habitual crosscourt returns without variation Drill return direction variation; target practice
Second serves not attacked Hesitation, poor positioning Move inside baseline; second serve-only attack drills

Practical Application: "The Return Pattern Drill"

Develop tactical return awareness with this structured drill:

  1. Pattern Identification (5 minutes): Server serves 20 first serves. Returner observes and records patterns (wide, T, body; serve type preferences).
  2. Anticipation Practice (10 minutes): Based on identified patterns, returner adjusts positioning and predicts serve direction. Coach provides feedback on prediction accuracy.
  3. Tactical Return Execution (15 minutes): Full point play from the return. Returner executes planned return strategy (block deep, attack second serves, target weaknesses).
  4. Review (5 minutes): Discuss break point conversion, return depth, and tactical execution.

Diagnostic & Training Matrix

Observation Failure Result Corrective Strategy
Low return success rate (<60%) Poor positioning, insufficient block practice Lost service return games, few break chances Adjust return position; dedicated block return drills against fast serves
Cannot break serve Weak second serve returns, predictable placement Server holds comfortably Second serve attack drills; target variation practice
Returns lack depth against big servers Late contact, insufficient body rotation Returns sit up for server to attack Block return drills with emphasis on forward weight transfer
Predictable return placement Habitual crosscourt returns Server can anticipate and counter Drill return direction variation; pattern disruption exercises