How To Increase Your First Serve Percentage

The serve and return are widely considered to be the two most essential shots in a tennis player's repertoire. The serve is arguably even more critical, as it is the single shot that we can take charge of - all other strokes we hit come from our reactions to whatever our opponent does.

Many players overlook the importance of a first serve in tennis, but when used correctly it can become your most powerful weapon on court. Acquiring an effective and precise first serve relies upon more than just hitting with brute force - you need the appropriate technique, timing and skill to ensure that every serve strikes its mark!

You may assume that the very best tennis players hardly miss and hit every shot as hard as possible. However, on average even the top ATP professionals have a first serve accuracy of only 70%. 

Professional players strive to get around 65% of their first serves in court. This means you don't have to ace every single serve if your aim is to become a great tennis player; aiming for 70% accuracy would suffice! Although getting the ball in is important, what really matters more than that is how well you can actually play off that initial serve.

If you are one of those players who often depend on their second serve, that mean you need to improve your first serve percentage.

Develop A Routine

Now that you have identified the importance of a higher first serve percentage, it's time to find a routine that will help you stay calm and concentrated before serving. Many players make the mistake of hurrying into their service motions just so they can quickly get through it. Doing this won't do your game any favours; instead, try finding simple ways to relax and focus on hitting the best possible serve.

Stand confidently on the baseline and get into your own personal routine to help you feel more relaxed before your swing. This could be bouncing the ball five times, taking deep breaths or twirling your racket - whatever works for you. Not only does this aid in focus, but it relieves tension from your body so that you can make a free and effortless swing.

Once you have perfected your routine, the next step is to form a strategy. It's essential to decide where you want your service ball to land and the type of spin you plan to generate. Concentrating on these elements gives you clarity in terms of execution and can help reduce your tension as you are focusing on your techniques rather than simply the outcome.

Consistent Ball Toss

To maximise your first serve success rate, consistency in the ball toss is of utmost importance. Keeping a stable throwing pattern helps you become more consistent when placing the ball in the air at the same spot. When you can place the ball in the same spot again and again, hitting that perfect first serve becomes easier! 

If your toss is too far in front of you or too far behind your back, then it's almost impossible to get your first serves in with any degree of consistency or accuracy. During your training sessions, do practice developing a steady toss.

Accuracy Over Power

It is better to be accurate than powerful. When you are striving for an increased first serve percentage, make sure that your focus is on where you are aiming the ball rather than how hard you hit it. While power can provide a valuable advantage in taking away time from opponents, going after power should not come at the cost of precision and positioning. Better results will often be achieved if you are able to get 7 out of 10 first serves in at moderate power rather than only 4 out of 10 balls with high power.

In summary, developing a consistent ball toss and reliable pre-serve routine can help you stay calm and focused on the court. Remember that precision is more important than power; when aiming for an increased first serve percentage, focus on where you are placing the ball rather than how hard you hit it. With these tips in mind, remember that practice makes perfect!

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Play Tennis Better

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