^{5 tips to improve your serve}

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The serve is one of the most important shots in tennis: every point begins with it, and a good serve gives you a significant advantage right from the start. As you improve, the serve becomes increasingly vital. On the ATP Tour, players win an average of 80 to 90 percent of their service games. In this blog, I’ll give you 5 tips to improve your serve.

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^{1. Ensure a good toss}

A good toss is the foundation of a good serve. But how do you ensure you toss the ball to the right spot consistently? We start by determining the correct toss location – this varies depending on the type of serve. A slice serve requires a different toss than a kick serve.

In general, you want to toss the ball slightly to your right and a bit in front of you (the opposite applies to left-handed players). If you are going for a slice serve, you can toss the ball a bit further to the right to make it easier to impart slice. If you are going for a kick serve, you can toss the ball slightly further to the left to make it easier to create a kick.

However, I recommend keeping your toss as consistent as possible across different serves. If your toss changes too much, it becomes easier for your opponent to predict where you are going to serve.

A tip for making your toss consistent is to keep the motion as simple as possible. I often see players making unnecessary movements before releasing the ball – that only makes it more difficult. Start the toss from hip height and bring the ball up in a straight line with a straightened arm. Release the ball at eye level.

Another thing that can help: spread your fingers when releasing the ball. If you don't do this, it can unintentionally put spin on the ball, causing it to land in the wrong spot.

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^{2. Keep your torso upright}

Another important aspect of the serve is your torso. Many players lean too far forward during or after hitting the ball, which pulls the ball downward.

Try to keep your torso extended and upright to hit the ball at a high point and create a good trajectory.

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^{3. Point your non-hitting arm at the ball}

In my blog “5 tips to improve your forehand” I have already explained how important your non-hitting arm is for the forehand – and the same applies to your serve.

Make sure you point your non-hitting arm toward the ball after the toss. This not only helps with timing, but also ensures your body stays aligned during the motion.

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^{4. Make sure your elbow is in the right position}

Many beginners keep their elbow in front of their body during the serve (much like a dart player). It is better to have your elbow behind your body during the serve. Additionally, the space between your elbow and your body is important. Ensure your arms are at roughly a 90-degree angle behind your body, and that your elbow doesn't drop too low (as seen in the photo below), as this brings it too close to your body and leaves you with less room to generate speed.

Looking at my own serve, I have seen a major improvement since applying this tip. My elbow used to be almost against my torso, which gave me very little room to generate speed. Since I started training this, I serve much harder – simply because there is now more space between my elbow and my torso.

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^{5. Use your legs during the serve}

Your legs also play a major role during the serve. Place your left foot in front and your right foot behind (the opposite for left-handed players).

Bend your knees slightly after releasing the ball. As you move your racket upward to hit the ball, push yourself up. At the moment of impact, your legs should be extended again – or you might even be off the ground.

This provides extra power and control in your serve.

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^{Ready to train?}

If you want to practice your serve using these tips and others from a qualified coach, you can!

Sign up now via this link: https://simontennis.nl/locaties?inschrijven=true 

Have fun on the court!

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