Return of serve

[rk_sports]

If I want to learn the best way to return serve...then I would look at the current top pro's who have great returns...
2 people come to mind - Djokovic and Murray
(not considering Roger as he is not as offensive returner as these 2.. apologies for those who disagree )

IMO these 2 have contrasting styles of returning -
Djokovic: not much movement into the court, adjust body and rip
Murray: lots of movement into the court and compact swing

Which approach is better - for budding newcomer ?
Which approach is better - for a league player ?

 

[BU-Tennis]

Personally, I like Murray's groundstrokes and returns better, he doesn't seem to have such a loopy swing which is nice for consistency.

Just remember, the key is to move on the diagonal on the return and take a compact backswing with a fairly full follow through. (a lot of netted returns are due to a lack of follow through)

 

[baseline_monster]

I'll be honest, it helps a little to look at those guys but to your club player, it makes no difference. Main thig to do is to either block back, counter punch or take a shorter swing. For me, to many club players try to camp 5-10 ft behind the baseline for a serve coming at less than 100mph then take a massive swing. I mean if the guy is serving bombs then step back, but most of the time your you will return the serve and be left open.

 

[PhrygianDominant]

I do what agassi does. I stand as close as possible, cut off the serve, short back swing, follow through. You have to be confident in your fundamentals and be aggressive, but time it right and hit it square you will get a good, deep return. I don't redirect the ball too much on my backhand, but on my forehand I sometimes go for winners. A lot of my opponents hit with a lot of slice, even on second serves, so I get a lot of forehands on returns. It works for me. I am more happy with my return of serve than my serve at the moment.

 

[boramiNYC]

work on flexibility and versatility of your strokes. learn how to quicken and shorten the swings. make sure you know your reach. and practice your footwork and move faster in balance. for returns you don't need to move much. for rec level you don't even need to move fast, just need to be able to make solid contact with decent placement, CC is usually safe.