The Most important shot in tennis is hands down the Serve! However, the second most important shot in tennis is the Return of Serve. Every point starts with either a Serve or a Return, and the majority of points played are four shots or less. Therefore, being able to control the point with the return is a vital shot to have!
The return of serve occurs in roughly half of the games played, making it a key shot in tennis strategy and emphasizing its overall importance.
Preparation
First and most important is racket preparation. Most players start with their forehand grip on their racket with their dominant hand. One-handed players will normally start with their left hand on the throat of the racket to switch grips between forehand and backhand quickly. Two-handed players will normally start with their left-hand backhand grip and right-hand forehand grip to make a grip switch happen quickly. The next aspect of racket preparation is to start with the racket in front and centered in the body, and to have your elbows spaced to turn and prep quickly. As part of your preparation, focus on making contact with the ball at the right moment to ensure optimal timing and accuracy. Additionally, keeping your head still and level during the return is crucial for maintaining accuracy and preventing miss-hits.
Footwork
After having the proper grip and preparation with your arms and hands, footwork and balance are the next most important things to do correctly on the return of serve. Foot spacing and a good knee bend are vital for balance and a quick first step, but it’s also important to stay light on the balls of your feet for better balance and quick movement. To time a fast-moving ball, take quick little steps before your opponent serves, then split-step into a wide, low stance, and finish with an authoritative step forward. Using a slight bounce as you prepare helps you stay loose and ready for the return. The way you stand can influence your reaction time and court coverage during the return. Good footwork will allow power as well as ball control on the return.
Court positioning
Many pros return serve by taking the ball early, such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Positioning yourself near the center of the service box allows you to effectively handle serves directed to either side. Taking the return early will get the ball back at your opponent quickly and can earn you some free points! However, from a timing perspective, it is very difficult and requires impeccable footwork, balance, and preparation. Also, if you do not hit a good return while taking the ball early, you will be stuck in no-man ’s-land and completely out of position for the next shot in the point. When timing your return, focus on hitting the ball at the right moment to gain an advantage.
Many Clay Court pros like staying behind the baseline to give themselves time to return. The positives behind this are that if you are playing on a big server, it is easier to have time to get the serve back in the court. Also, playing behind the baseline gives you more space and time to hit a heavy topspin ball to push your opponent back. Standing closer to the baseline allows for quicker returns with less pace, while standing further back gives you more time to react to the opponent’s serve. The negative to returning behind the baseline is that it takes more physical energy, you cannot earn as many free points on the return, and you might have to run quite a bit after the return.
When considering court layout, be aware of your position relative to the service line and net, as these are key markers for effective return positioning. Observing the opponent’s serve and adjusting your position based on the opponent’s tendencies can help you better anticipate and respond to different types of serves.
Understanding the Serve
In tennis, mastering the return of serve starts with really understanding what that serve is all about! The serve isn’t just the first shot of every point—it sets the tone for the entire rally and can instantly put pressure on you as the returner. Whether you’re facing a fast serve that rockets toward the service box, a tricky slice serve that spins away from you, or a body serve aimed right at your torso, recognizing what type of serve is coming your way is absolutely key to reacting effectively.
Each serve type demands a totally different approach from you. A flat serve, for example, comes with maximum speed and minimal spin, so you need to:
react quickly
use the server’s pace to your advantage
A slice serve, on the other hand, curves sharply and can pull you way off the court, so anticipating the direction and adjusting your position is crucial if you want to stay in the point.
The body serve targets your torso area, making it much harder to swing freely, so you’ll need to use your feet to create space and prepare for a controlled return.
Anticipation is really the skill that separates the best returners from the rest of us! By closely watching your opponent’s toss, racket motion, and body language, you can often predict whether a fast serve, slice serve, or body serve is coming your way. This allows you to get into that ideal ready position—
1. feet shoulder-width apart,
2. knees slightly bent
3. racket out in front—so you’re prepared to step forward and make solid contact with the ball.
When you’re returning serve, your goal is to neutralize the server’s advantage and set yourself up for the next shot. This might mean blocking back a powerful first serve with a compact swing (what we call a “block return”), or stepping in to attack a slower second serve.
If the serve comes to your backhand, focus on keeping the ball low and using the outside foot to push off and generate control.
For a volley return, especially against a short or wide serve, move forward and take the ball early to catch your opponent off guard!
Top players like Roger Federer and other best returners in the game excel at reading serves and adapting their return game on the fly. They practice different return techniques—standing closer to the baseline to take time away from the server, or moving back to give themselves enough time to react to a fast serve. They also vary their return direction, aiming deep or at sharp angles to keep their opponents guessing about what’s coming next.
Ultimately, understanding the serve and how it shapes the point is essential for any player looking to improve their return of serve game. By focusing on the type of serve, anticipating the server’s intentions, and practicing your reactions, you’ll gain the confidence to handle any incoming serve and turn defense into offense. With time and experience on the court, you’ll find yourself winning more points and gaining the advantage in your return games!
Conclusion
Overall, look at a pro like Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer study how they technically do the things listed above and how they all mix up their court positioning to disrupt the server and/ or try to start the point on the offense. Do not take for granted the second most important shot in the game- the return!
