How to Hold Serve in a Tennis Match

In today's video, I demonstrate how to hold serve in a tennis match. When you are serving keep in mind that the match is in your hands. There are certain things that you can do to increase your chances of holding serve more consistently...

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[sobelgar]

Really LOVE the in match coaching you did here. This is what 90% of tennis instruction videos are missing. Teh real life application and thinking are very helpful thanks!

[alephbeta]

Wow, this was such an insightful video. One thing missing from other YouTube channels is the mental & strategy component, but the fact that you were an accomplished pro-player helps adds so much depth and value! Loved the walkthrough of your shot selections & even small details like what balls to pick. Please keep up the good work and THANK YOU!!!

[mauriziodenapoli]

I really love the strategy explanation during a real match. Keep doing more of them!

[hansolsson]

I really like how you choose the ball that looks the fastest. A no brainer.
I like it. Thank you Nick.

[doughaynes]

I love your instruction. The one thing that people do not work on enough is the second serve, and the ability to hit both corners on both sides of the court, duece and ad. If they would practice that, their serve would be more of a weopon, and not just a desperation hit to stay in the point. Thanks for your work, instruction with a purpose is well appreciated.

[nicgoodfellow]

Can't afford a coach as often as I'd like, which make your videos an amazing help. Thank you!

[Alexander-dteq]

breakdown for amateur players: 1) just serve wide to move the player out of the court (especially on his weaker side). 2) calm down before serving, does not matter how you serve, I found it difficult to set up a game plan. Most amateurs struggle executing their plan once the serve is not hit properly or the return surprises them (mishit etc). So focus on hitting a constant serve first and apply rule 1). Your ONLY GOAL is to reduce the number of winners the return player can hit OR the number of returns deep into the court. Your goal is to be in a dominant position when the ball returns.. so just move the opponent. Even if they adapt, amateurs will usually always struggle to play a good return on a wide serve. Once you manage this, re-watch Nicks video :)

[alfandosavant]

That is just so me! Picking the least fuzz for the 1st serve, thinking it'd go fast through the court. And the fuzzier one for 2nd serve, thinking it'd be easier to brush it for my kick 😄

[Mickey_McD]

Thanks for giving us insight on your thought process while serving -- really illuminating information!

[thomasmedeiros]

Growing up in the USA I played baseball from the time I was 9 years old through High School. I was coaching in pitching and hitting so I learned about strategy and tactics like moving the ball around the strike zone, throwing and hitting ball that had different spins and curves that made it more challenging. The strike count is like the service score which determines which type of pitch should be thrown and it’s placement. It’s the same in Tennis. It’s very important to know your opponent and figure out what challenges them and use that to your advantage in Tennis and Baseball. I was a placement and breaking ball pitcher so when I developed my tennis game this carried over into my all court serve and volley tennis style. You got to practice your placement and different spins and constantly get the ball in to where they don’t like or expect it. Pay attention to how they react and where they hit returns and use that to your advantage. Personally I like to mix it up by going wide then into the body. Some players like to move towards the side but have trouble getting out of the way when the ball breaks into their hip. You got to know the score and feed them what they don’t like when you really net the next point.

[erichuang]

Really enjoyed hearing your internal conversation on serve selection during a game. Do you have a specific "play" that you associate with each serve? For example - out wide serves, keep hitting to the opposite court to attack movement. Down the middle serves, look for inside out forehand to go forehand vs backhand. Kick serves - serve and volley. Etc.

[jyotsnam]

Excellent video! Very helpful. Thank you

[satyu]

Kick serve: the most important kind of serve. It's preferable to hit two good kick serves than to hit a sitter second serve. A ball with rotation is actually harder to return than a flat ball with the same pace.

[iggiepaeng]

That's a very well dissected explanation, thanks !!!

[adrianfrontera]

Great video Nikola, just exactly what we the club players need, brilliant coaching, more of this please, really appreciated your help, Greetings Adrian

[KRN]

Tremendous video. Love the format. I only have a reliable 60 mph kick serve. I would like to develop a reliable flat serve next, right now they sail long. Great tips about the ball selection and confidence.

[serveyourname]

While watching Nadal win the title of Roland Garros on TV, I realized he'd hit more than two million serves during his entire lifetime. I wish I could reach your level of serves within a decade or so. I do appreciate this vid.

[vivy_xo]

Great video Nick! I really need to learn kick serve when I grow up! One day! 😀

[boarini]

Nick, great video and very useful for me as a 3.5 to get a window into your strategy and decisions. Question:
Why the old racquet?

[geoffhess]

Really helpful content here and crucial to advancing your game. So many parallels to effective pitching in baseball insofar as the importance of mixing up what you're giving your opponent and where you're delivering it. I'd also like to see some of your tips when one is having difficulty holding serve due to rhythm being off, flat serves regularly going long or into net, slices missing, and the confidence that you normally have in your serve is being put to a test. I try to take more time between serves, get back into a relaxed serving motion and rhythm, and do more kick serves. From there, gradually ramp up and work my way back to my normal mode. It takes a lot of mental discipline to do this rather than allowing frustration to take over. Interested in your recommendations. Maybe another video on this.