Federer Serve Problems at the Recreational Level

Roger Federer has one of the best serves in the history of tennis. Logically, many recreational tennis player try to copy the Fed serve. However, there are some unorthodox technical elements on Roger's serve that might cause problems to players at the recreational level.

0:00 Don’t serve like Fed
0:29 Stance & Coil
2:33 Toss
5:46 Rhythm

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[boarini]

I've been able to imitate Zverev's double faults quite well. They look really good.

[Javi_C]

While we shouldn’t copy Federer’s serve, we should copy his work ethic and keep playing at an older age!

[rahulsingal]

You shouldn’t copy anybody’s serve to the T. You should however copy big ideas seen between all players. Shoulder turn, trophy position, shifting/transferring of weight, toss, land, etc.

[fjgarrid]

Although I never tried tried to copy Federer consciously, it’s natural to mimic the players you look up to. I’ve managed to correct my forehand to a motion that’s efficient and comfortable for me rather than one that looks like Federer’s. That being said, I recognised all the problems in my serve through this video. Time to set up a new one. Thank you so much!

[patrickweston]

I was at a drills session, hitting good serves. A coach said, "who taught you that service motion?" I said, "Drew Brees."

[RobBlanzy]

Fantastic video! Getting older I found out the closer feet really helped ease tension on my lower back. At the rec level, there has been no noticeable difference in my serve, save the back pain as the match progresses.

[ermanevcil]

This is a really important lesson since we, tennis nerds, tend to forget that we are not pros.
And i think, imitating the pro players, will make me a better player. In fact we may even get injured with that kind of an approach, if not well guided.
Thank you Nick.

[anhvu]

I'm 5'5", can never generate any power when my toss is inside the court. Only when I toss it straight up on the baseline (like Fed), I get a much cleaner hit and a lot more power. I do stay in the same spot after serve as you said but I don't care much about getting forward momentum & step into the court b/c my serves pose no threat whatsoever (i.e. can't serve & volley). Your explanation & tips about continuous movement are valuable. I notice when my service motion is flowing, it feels very easy on my body but more powerful. Thanks. subscribed.

[reuelray]

Whaa? Are you spying on me? 😁Got my cam out yesterday, was working on my serve motion and trying to replicate Federer. Didn't work out too well, the serves were weak, and I hurt my shoulder. You always put up vids with controversial titles. Most people do this to attract viewers. You however are always spot on. If you are anywhere in the vicinity of Northern Alabama, please put it on the internet because I will break off some of my SS funds, sell a few things and get at least one lesson.👍

[paleodude]

Incredibly helpful advice especially re stance+coil+elbow position. It has already corrected my contact point which has resulted in more power/speed on all types of serve. THANK YOU!

[dmitryprivate]

Nikola, this is a great lesson! Trying to coil too much, as Federer, was causing many problems with my serve. Now I know how to improve. Thank you!

[geutz]

Most interesting. 👍🏻
Bottom-line: it is very often (if not always) a bad idea to imitate shots from top player with very specific movements if not they do not come naturally to you: Fed serve, Johnny Mac moves, Rafa lasso forehand etc.

[peterevans]

Excellent video, agree with all you say. My coach spotted a couple of these errors in my serve and correcting them has really helped.

[donho]

Another brilliant video on a very important topic, Nick. Growing up, I used to mimic the versions of Sampras and Federer’s serve that I liked (which were the platform stance and full coil, j-toss, striking the ball more around 12 o’clock, and landing similar to how they land. Like someone else shared, all of these things are possible as a younger age and ability level. Similar to the other commenter, I am now 52 years old and those things are not possible at this age and time when I don’t practice or play 3-4 hours for 3-4 days a week.

So interesting, like what you shared in your video, I have had to circumvent so many areas of my serve to play recreational tennis and still be able to serve decent. I no longer use “j-toss” and reverted to a up the elevator toss, I don’t coil as much (so my toss goes more to 1 o’clock or 11 o’clock depending on the serve I am looking to use (slice, flat or kick). The 2 key issues that you mentioned were the fast start and then the pause (hitch) and the finish behind the baseline. Those 2 are the most apparent issues. I now do a very methodical slow start with my left hand staying high longer and then the acceleration phase as fast (as you explained) and since I changed my toss go right into the court after I finish with my body weight, whereas before with j-toss, I would finish behind the baseline. Understand that even with all of these deficits, at a young age I was still able to serve 115 mph. As I aged, all of the deficits became a problem and started all of my inefficiencies and double faults. Now my serve is more of what you described in the proper fundamentals of serving and are basically how you teach your students in your serve videos. I have eliminated my double faults and have a sound serve technique at 52 years old.

[edhwang]

Thank you! I watched this video right before a league match and won. I had been copying Fed's serve for the longest time and was forcing it even though my serve regressed. I reverted back to a more forward stance and was bombing it in all match. Great video.

[davidoldham]

This is interesting for sure. The rhythm of his serve especially nowadays is quite fast and can be difficult to copy. I tried to copy Agassi's motion when I was young...big mistake that was because the rhythm of the serve was way too fast.
Federer's serve is interesting especially when you compare now to back say 2002 to 2005 when he started to dominate. His motion 'seemed' a bit slower and looked way more effortless, which is interesting considering his serve speeds haven't changed that much.
Have also noticed this also?

[Fruitmandje]

I think this is a great approach for tips for a better serve. Many people think that if they just do what the GOAT does, they will have the perfect example. Pointing out his flaws makes me look at my own serve in a different way. Great video!

[Mickey_McD]

Like you have pointed out, it appears there are two different camps of serve techniques: the Sampras/Federer camp where you turn more showing more of your back to your opponent, and the technique where you start with your shoulders open about 45 degrees to the target line, and when you turn your shoulders are in line with the target line and your back faces the side fence. It seems like your technique is more common on the ATP tour. From other YouTube videos, Rick Macci also seems to share your philosophy at least for the first serve. For the second serve, Macci says it's OK to turn more when hitting a kick serve.

[Krwler]

As someone who enjoys mimicking pro serves & strokes, I can confirm all of this is true lol. Only I figured it out over years rather than a 7 minute video. This video also served as the best breakdown of Federer's serve I've seen, and I've watched them all! Any chance you can do the same with other great servers, Niko? Like Sampras, Roddick? Cheers.

[kadivikram]

Excellent video, I have corrected some of these on my game by listening closely to the comfort level of my body during the serve motion, like the excessive lateral feet positioning creates a kind of an uncomfortable locking feeling in the hips, same with the excessive coil not being able to come around the ball(especially on duece court). Thank you for this video!