Racket head speed in slice & kick serves

[New Daddy]

I have heard it said many times that the racket should have as much speed when you slice or kick as when you serve flat.

That makes sense, since the racket's horizontal vector is reduced in slice or kick serves.

My question is, shouldn't the racket have a LOT more speed to compensate for the loss of horizontal vector in slice or kick serves? Otherwise, there will be so little pace in the serve that it will be an easy target by the returner. Or, is the idea that the spin in kick or slice serves will be vicious enough that the returner will have enough trouble even if the serve lacks pace?

Maybe my mechanics is wrong, but my opponent seems to have no trouble ripping my slow-moving kick serves.

 

[LeeD]

I've always said, second serve swings as much as 20% FASTER than first flat serve swingspeeds.
But kickers, it's hard to swing as fast as top/slices, or pure tops, so maybe the same speed as first flats.
Key is placement, to where your opponent is UNcomfortable. Move it around, probe, repost, thrust, and parry, to probe again.
If you want a biting slice groundie, stand your ground, don't lean back, turn shoulders more than fully, and adopt an appropriate strong grip like EBH.

 

[Devilito]

I have heard it said many times that the racket should have as much speed when you slice or kick as when you serve flat.

That makes sense, since the racket's horizontal vector is reduced in slice or kick serves.

My question is, shouldn't the racket have a LOT more speed to compensate for the loss of horizontal vector in slice or kick serves? Otherwise, there will be so little pace in the serve that it will be an easy target by the returner. Or, is the idea that the spin in kick or slice serves will be vicious enough that the returner will have enough trouble even if the serve lacks pace?

Maybe my mechanics is wrong, but my opponent seems to have no trouble ripping my slow-moving kick serves.

Almost every stroke in the game has the same speed and effort. Your 1st serve, your 2nd serve, your forehand, backhand, slice etc. They should all have maximum racquet head speed. The shots vary due to the spins you put on the ball. If you feel you can add more racquet head speed to your second serve then you’re not putting enough on your 1st. That's the whole point of the second serve. Less pace, more spin.

In general your opponent will be able to attack your second serve more often. That even happens at the pro level. That’s why pros try for a high 1st serve percentage and some pros like Nadal even sacrifice a faster first serve for a higher 1st serve consistency. Agassi’s game was built around attacking the second serve because of the fact that the second serve is in general a weak shot

 

[LeeD]

But sometimes we gotta think before opening mouth and inserting ........
Why use conti grip? For a leading racket edge that is more aero, than open up for the flat first serve.
Everyone can swing faster with a leading edge of racket leading the way.
Everyone swings slower with a full face exposed to the air.
Think!

 

[papa]

...."loss of horizontal vector"........ Yes, that's why the ball is going slower.