This guy's tips actually helped my serve a lot, thanks I really appreciate it, I went from double faulting a lot to maybe once a set. My serve is really strong, I have made other people lose a grip on their rackets when trying to return it, but now is more often.
Initially the game of kings serve was underhand, intended to start the point. In the modern game from 1960s to 1990s, the serve became more important as a winning stroke rather than just starting the point. Yes there were great servers in 1940s-1960s but racket technology, fitness, flexibility of players today has transformed the game. However even in today's game placement of serve trumps speed any day.
The serve is clearly a very important shot. But if the serve is 90% of the game , why have some of the greatest male servers of all time -several still playing today never won Majors? John Isner, Alex Zverev, Ivo Karlovic, and Milos Ranic all have great serves. They have won a grand total of..........0 major thusfar. Further, on the WTA circuit someone like Angelique Kerber- who has one of the weakest female serves of all time- especially-has won 3 majors incl 2 versus Serena Williams - not too shabby. Even a recent grand slam winner like Coco Gauff does not yet have a particularly strong serve. The game is dominated today by the forehand- ground stroke- particularly the mens game. But we still see players today like Alvarez hit drop shots. What can we do? Cant go back to wooden racquets! ☺🎾
Tennis is boooring, coz today's players are kinda low IQ big Ego. They focus on hitting hard for show ... yet can seldom hit to open court. Practically zero tactic and strategy, reliant on unforced error or semi error resulting in easy ball/out of position. It is indeed booooring to watch on pro level. Yet, still fun to play, especially doubles with friends. Fun fun fun.
"The people that invented tennis were very smart". . . lol no they weren't, if they were they would have modified the court / net when the WOODEN rackets became metal. Now-a-days tennis has become a game that is 90% serve and 10% everything else. Tennis has become boring (especially men's) because the game is SO SERVE driven. Remember folks, tennis was invented around wooden rackets. . . that is why whoever severs at the pro level wins 99% of the time!
For what it's worth, I'm on the other side of this position. I'm not here to convince you to enjoy tennis more. Tennis is a "first 4 shots" game. Serve, return, and next shot for each player. Win most of those and you win the match. I still think it's very entertaining to watch people who have perfected those. And if every pro was elite at serving and returning, it'd be different. But it's an incredibly hard set of skills to master, modern rackets or no. Also racket tech has benefitted the baseline game as much, if not more, than serves. Serve and volley is dying compared to the wooden / less powerful racket and string days. So, it's an evolution, I'm here for it. Hope there are some good old school highlights out there to keep you entertained!
That sounds good in theory, but the big 3 from the last 20 years didn’t have the fastest serves in the game, modern racquets give you more power everywhere, so yes faster serves but also better returns, better volleys, heavier ground strokes, etc
This guy's tips actually helped my serve a lot, thanks I really appreciate it, I went from double faulting a lot to maybe once a set. My serve is really strong, I have made other people lose a grip on their rackets when trying to return it, but now is more often.
Very useful tips. Thanks a lot. 👍
Appreciate it /// consice and straight forward /// video quality and content good!
Thank you so much! Kindly, John
I can add one thing. Beginners often tend to use their knees in the toss process. You need to keep your legs straight when doing a toss.
Initially the game of kings serve was underhand, intended to start the point. In the modern game from 1960s to 1990s, the serve became more important as a winning stroke rather than just starting the point. Yes there were great servers in 1940s-1960s but racket technology, fitness, flexibility of players today has transformed the game. However even in today's game placement of serve trumps speed any day.
John, I also get confused by the flat first serve: do I also need to do both hitting up and hit the ball from behind?
John, did you speed up the video ? I don’t remember you speaking this fast!🤔
So the 100+ mph serves also have top spin / kick? Racket contact below the ball?
Pros definitely serve the kicks over 100mph (or close).
Contact behind the ball, just as a flat, only racket is still rising.
The serve is clearly a very important shot. But if the serve is 90% of the game , why have some of the greatest male servers of all time -several still playing today never won Majors? John Isner, Alex Zverev, Ivo Karlovic, and Milos Ranic all have great serves. They have won a grand total of..........0 major thusfar. Further, on the WTA circuit someone like Angelique Kerber- who has one of the weakest female serves of all time- especially-has won 3 majors incl 2 versus Serena Williams - not too shabby. Even a recent grand slam winner like Coco Gauff does not yet have a particularly strong serve. The game is dominated today by the forehand- ground stroke- particularly the mens game. But we still see players today like Alvarez hit drop shots. What can we do? Cant go back to wooden racquets! ☺🎾
Tennis is boooring, coz today's players are kinda low IQ big Ego. They focus on hitting hard for show ... yet can seldom hit to open court. Practically zero tactic and strategy, reliant on unforced error or semi error resulting in easy ball/out of position. It is indeed booooring to watch on pro level.
Yet, still fun to play, especially doubles with friends. Fun fun fun.
"The people that invented tennis were very smart". . . lol no they weren't, if they were they would have modified the court / net when the WOODEN rackets became metal. Now-a-days tennis has become a game that is 90% serve and 10% everything else. Tennis has become boring (especially men's) because the game is SO SERVE driven. Remember folks, tennis was invented around wooden rackets. . . that is why whoever severs at the pro level wins 99% of the time!
For what it's worth, I'm on the other side of this position. I'm not here to convince you to enjoy tennis more. Tennis is a "first 4 shots" game. Serve, return, and next shot for each player. Win most of those and you win the match. I still think it's very entertaining to watch people who have perfected those. And if every pro was elite at serving and returning, it'd be different. But it's an incredibly hard set of skills to master, modern rackets or no.
Also racket tech has benefitted the baseline game as much, if not more, than serves. Serve and volley is dying compared to the wooden / less powerful racket and string days.
So, it's an evolution, I'm here for it. Hope there are some good old school highlights out there to keep you entertained!
That sounds good in theory, but the big 3 from the last 20 years didn’t have the fastest serves in the game, modern racquets give you more power everywhere, so yes faster serves but also better returns, better volleys, heavier ground strokes, etc
They couldn't modify the court when metal rackets were invented. They weren't alive anymore.
I like watching women's tennis, I think is more entertaining.
Good servers win 70>80%, yet typically all of their strokes are also good. Game isn't won with just a serve...