You are at a huge disadvantage when returning a serve.
- The server gets to hit the ball at you as hard as they can.
- The server gets to hit the serve directly at your weakness.
- You occupy the worst position in the court.
- If your opponent wins the rally, you will lose a point.
So a good return of service will allow you to get in front of your opponent and force them to make a shot from the back of the court. Generally speaking, the most effective way to accomplish this is to return the serve with a ceiling ball.
It is vital to be in a ready position when returning the serve. Your racquet needs to be up in front of you at chest level and held with a backhand grip. Do a small split step when the server hits the ball so you are up in the air and can move in any direction.
Your entire goal in returning serve is to get to the center court position. Remember, if you are not in center court during a rally, then you are losing the rally.
TIP : To return serve, a good starting point is to be about an arms length from the back wall and in the center of the court.
TIP : Be ready to move forward to cut off lob serves early and return them to the ceiling. This gives the server less time to get to the back court and gets you immediately into center court position.