Most tennis players think the serve decides the point. It does not unless the serve doesn't come back.
Once the return comes back into the court, the serve stops mattering as much. The point becomes a rally. And rallies decide far more points than people want to admit.
What happens after the return lands is often more important than how good the serve was.
When the Serve Loses Its Power
The point changes when two things happen:
-
The serve goes in
-
The return comes back
From that moment, the server loses most of the advantage. This is even more true on second serves.
After a second serve, the returner often has the upper hand. The server must hit the first rally ball under pressure. Mistakes happen quickly.
Many players believe any serve advantage is better than none. That belief is wrong. Once the rally starts, the better rally player usually wins the point.
Why Returners Lose Easy Points
Returners often make the same mistake: they try to attack too early.
Missing a return against a second serve is not brave. It is a poor decision. If the return goes back into play, the returner is often in control. If it misses, the point is over before it starts.
Players go for too much when patience would give them the edge.
- Good returning is calm.
- Good returning is simple.
- Good returning puts the ball back.
The Problem With the “Safe” Second Serve
Many players think the second serve only needs to go in: that is not enough. A soft second serve invites the returner forward. It gives them time and space. The server starts the rally in trouble.
A good second serve must help the server survive the next shots. This is not about hitting harder. It is about height, spin, and margin.
If a second serve does not help you get into the rally, it has failed.
The Truth About the First Rally Shot
Many players think the first rally shot must be strong: that idea causes mistakes.
When the return comes back, the first rally ball should be stable. Not forced. Not rushed. Trying to finish the point too early often helps the returner.
The best players know this:
- The first rally shot is about staying in control.
- Not about winning the point.
A Better Way to Think About Points
This way of thinking makes people uncomfortable.
- The serve does not win most points.
- The return does not need to be special.
- The rally decides the point.
Players who understand this:
- Serve with better priorities
- Return with discipline
- Stay calm under pressure
Players who do not keep trying to force control.
Over time, that difference decides matches.