G’day!
It’s only 10 more sleeps until Wimbledon begins, but who’s counting? 🍓🙋‍♂️
Think about all the lessons taken by players all over the world every day. What’s the main focus? Forehands and backhands ad nauseam…
What is the LEAST practiced shot? It’s without doubt the return of serve…
Now. Answer this question. What’s the most common rally length (the mode) in our sport? It’s a ONE shot rally, which means that the serve went in and the return of serve did not come back in play.
YES! We absolutely, positively need to work more on our return of serve.
Today I want to share with you a short five minute video of me teaching the return of serve on the Wimbledon Channel last year. The focus is on the important components of the return, which we analyze on the telestrator.
2018 Wimbledon Channel Video: Return Of Serve
0:00 – 1:30 : The most common rally length in tennis is just one shot in the court.
1:30 – 2:21: Johanna Konta’s compact backswing.
2:21 – 2:32: Caroline Wozniacki contacting the return out in front of her body.
2:32 – 2:46: Yanina Wickmayer split step timed to her opponent’s serve.
2:46 – 3:15: Roger Federer blocking his return.
3:15 – 3:56: Richard Berankis going backwards on his return of serve.
3:56 – 4:45: Thomas Fabbiano preparing the upper body first, rotating against the lower body.
Lots of take-aways for your own game!
Best,
Craig