Control the first shots, control the match
In tennis, matches are often won or lost in the first 1–4 shots of a rally. At the 2024 US Open, over 70% of all points played were within this range, showing just how crucial these short rallies are. If you want to win more matches, the answer is simple: take control of these moments by mastering your serve and return.
”I´m a big believer in letting the reality of a match to drive our practice court”, sums Graig O´Shannessy.
Surprisingly, most tennis lessons focus heavily on rallying, even though only 30% of points extend beyond four shots at the pro level. Instead, shift your practice to what matters most: your serve, your return, and the crucial follow-up shots.
Master your serve to dictate matches
The serve is your chance to take control of the point right from the start. It’s not just about power—it’s about precision, variety, and setting yourself up for success.
Serve Tips:
Prioritize Placement Over Power: Aim for corners, the body, or other targets to get your opponent in uncomfortable positions.
Mix It Up: Vary spin, speed, and placement to keep your opponents guessing and to not allow them to get into a rhythm.
Build a Strong Second Serve: A reliable second serve prevents double faults and keeps you competitive in the rally. Don’t let opponents dominate on your second serve-
Neutralize and counter with a strong return
A great return neutralizes even the best serves and can turn defense into offense. By mastering the return, you can shift momentum and force your opponents on defense after their serve.
Return Tips:
Strategic Positioning: Try out different return positions and adjust it based on your opponent’s serve.
Step Forward: Always move forward into your return, even if you start further back. This keeps you balanced, aggressive, and helps you with the weight transfer.
Shorten Your Swing: Focus on timing and consistency, especially against fast first serves. Good timing and contact in the middle of the racket will give you an effortless bomb.
Show us what you got!
Team Zenniz, what kind of stats are you having on serve and return? Share it on social media, tag us, and we’ll spread the joy of tennis. Meanwhile, it’s always good to learn from the best. So, have a look on the WTA and ATP best performers.