Where should I return slice?

[Failed]

Where should I return my opponents slice serve? If I try to hit it flat it usually goes so that my opponent hits to the other corner and finishes the point at the net if I manage to return his cross court shot. On the backhand side I can destroy his slice with chip and charge but on the deuce court it goes wide to my forehand giving me some trouble.

 

[tennisdad65]

On good slices that draw me wide on the FH, I generally go cross court or atleast to the center. Something slow and/or high (unless he is a high ball killer) may actually work to give you time to recover back. Also, his approach will have to be down the line to your backhand and the angle will give you time to atleast get to it.

If you go down the line and its not a winner, his cross court approach to your backhand corner will angle away from you.

Since you can chip and charge off your backhand, try doing the same with your forehand too.

Ofcourse, everything becomes more interesting if he serves and volleys after a good slice out wide.

 

[Il Mostro]

On a good slice I generally play it safe and go cross court, aiming for the corner and a height that is roughly the same as the server's feet (assuming he isn't playing S&V); a return right at the server's feet is another relatively safe option if you can pull it off. On weaker slices there are other options that are more aggressive: cross court topspin forehand but taking a bigger bite (sharper angle) or taking a huge bite with a volley stroke (technically not a volley, but you get the idea - one of my favorite shots against weak second serves). Going up the alley would be my least favorable option, but I do try this from time to time; nothing ventured, nothing gained -- and attempting these shots in matches is part of getting better.