Swoosh or Scoop the Tennis Serve Finish, October 19, 2021

First practice in 2021 to re-introduce from 2016 the swoosh or "scoop" into my serve finish. By finishing the serve motion freely and unrestrained, the slice action at contact is actually improved. Why? The reason is focusing on a loose and flexible finish requires one to be the same at contact! Make sense? Try it!

While focusing on this revised motion (at starting cold in the morning), my balance was amiss and I'd step into the court before contact. At least I was consistent. This is easily fixed for immediate by standing back 8 inches further, while working on synchronizing body rotations and bending to stay in-balance and avoiding stepping into the court prior to impact.

1st try at the scoop, Nov 2, 2016

2nd try 4 days later, Nov 6, 2016

The loopy finish impacts a really nice, curving trajectory is imparted, with ball bouncing sharply to the right of the receiver.

Hence, this racquet was restrung with Gamma TNT2 React Pro 17 at 60#. Given its solid core and multifilament outer wrap, React Pro 17 loses only 5# after break-in and improved control.

A new $22 Woodie was recently strung with React Pro 17 at 63#, with further improved play -- without cracking upon stringing or after. Soooo ...

The racquet in video was restrung at 66#, for even better precision and power. The Tennis Anywhere stringer remarked no issues during stringing, and could easily go to higher tension. Hence, the newer $22 Woodie will be restrung at 70# in 2023, boom or bust.

Tennis Warehouse forum fans are reluctant to string above 50#. I say if racquet is excellent condition, Just Do It! 65-70#.