Learning to Serve: Hitting Your First Tennis Serve

The most important shot in tennis: The Serve. The serve is one of the most basic and exciting tennis skills. Every point in a match begins with a serve, you can’t even start a match without being able to serve, and learning this skill provides a foundation for your tennis journey.

Players are allowed two chances to make a valid serve into the opponent’s service box—if the first attempt, known as the “first serve,” misses, a second chance, or “second serve,” is given. This means that as a beginner, you have room to grow and learn while still participating in matches.

Serving might seem daunting at first, but with patience, practice, and the right guidance, you’ll be hitting your first successful serve in no time. Let’s walk through the key steps to mastering this essential tennis skill.

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Why Serving Matters

The serve sets the tone for every point and gives you the chance to take control. It’s the only shot that doesn’t rely on your opponent, meaning it’s entirely within your control. Mastering the serve allows you to start points confidently and can become a powerful weapon as your game develops. With two attempts allowed, the serve also provides room for experimentation and growth, making it a crucial skill for beginners to focus on.

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The Continental Grip

One of the first steps in learning to serve is mastering the correct grip. The Continental grip may feel unnatural at first, but it’s essential for long-term success. Here’s how to find it:

• Imagine shaking hands with the racket.
• Place the bottom knuckle of your index finger on the edge just to the right of the top flat surface.

Most people find that holding the racket this way feels very weird and prefer to hold it like a “pancake” where the palm is flat on the handle. I want you to trust me and stick with the continental grip as in the long run this will significantly improve your accuracy and power.

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The Stance

Your stance lays the foundation for a good serve. If you’re right-handed, follow these steps:

• Face your right side toward the net.
• Place your left foot slightly ahead, pointing toward the net post.
• Keep your right foot behind and parallel to the baseline.

This positioning ensures balance and consistency.

A common misconception is that your stance should change depending on which side of the court you’re serving from, but this isn’t true. The stance remains the same on both the right and left side of the court.

IIf you’re left-handed, simply reverse all the directions. For example, where a right-handed player would face the right, you would face the left, and so on.

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The Toss

A consistent toss is critical to a successful serve. If your toss is bad, don’t try to save it—stop and try again. For beginners, aim for this:

• Toss the ball just in front of you and slightly to the right (for right-handed players).
• Keep your tossing arm straight and release the ball at eye level.

Practicing your toss without swinging can help you build consistency faster. Remember, a good toss sets up the entire serve, so it’s worth focusing on this step.

This is the top reason for inconsistent or poor serves. Make it a priority to practice your toss whenever you have free time, as a good toss is the foundation of a successful serve.

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Start Close and Focus on Accuracy

As a beginner, prioritize accuracy over power. Stand closer to the service box and work on consistently getting the ball into the correct box. Once you feel comfortable with placement, gradually move back toward the baseline.

Power can always be added later, but starting with accurate serves builds confidence and helps you develop a strong foundation.

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Conclusion

The serve takes time to learn, but by focusing on these basics, you’ll be off to a great start. Stick with the Continental grip, maintain a proper stance, perfect your toss, and start close to focus on accuracy. Remember, every professional server started where you are now. With practice and persistence, you’ll master the serve and add a valuable skill to your game. Keep practicing, and success will follow!