Return Like a Pro: Mastering the Art of the Tennis Return

Standing across from a player with a huge serve can feel like trying to catch a lightning bolt. When the ball is flying at you, it’s easy to feel rushed or even a little nervous. But here is a secret: the biggest servers in junior tennis actually hate it when you just get the ball back. They want a quick point, and when you force them to play a long rally, they often start to get frustrated and make mistakes.

To turn their power against them, you don't need to swing harder; you just need to be smarter and quicker. By making a few small changes to how you move and swing, you can stop just surviving the serve and start winning the game.

The Secret of the Small Hop

The biggest mistake many players make is standing perfectly still while waiting for the serve. If you start from a complete stop, you will always be too slow. Instead, try to be "springy." The pros use something called a split-step, which is just a tiny hop. You want to be in the air right as your opponent hits the ball and land just as you see where it's going. This landing works like a trampoline for your legs, helping you explode toward the ball much faster than if you were just standing there flat-footed.

Think Like a Volley

When a ball is coming at you fast, you don't have time for a big, loopy swing. If you try to take a full swing like you do in a normal rally, you'll probably hit the ball late or frame it. On a return, try to keep your swing as short as possible. Think of it more like a volley—just a quick "block" or a "punch." You don't need to add your own power because the server is already giving it to you. If you just meet the ball out in front with a firm racquet, their speed will do all the work for you.

Don’t Stand in the Same Spot

You aren't stuck to one place on the court. If someone is blasting fast serves, move back a few steps behind the baseline to give yourself an extra second to see the ball. If they are hitting a "kick" serve that bounces really high and goes over your head, move forward inside the baseline so you can hit it before it gets too high. By changing where you stand, you take away their favorite spots and make them feel like the court is much smaller.

Target the "Safe Zone"

You don't need to hit a winner to win the point. The best return you can hit is deep and right down the middle of the court. When you hit the ball deep to the center, it lands right at the server's feet while they are still trying to recover from their serve. It’s hard for them to do anything big with that ball, and it usually leads to a weak shot that you can attack on the next hit. Aiming for the "big middle" is the safest way to get the point started on your terms.

Ultimately, returning is about being a "wall." If you can show the server that no matter how hard they hit, the ball is coming back deep every time, they will eventually start to press and try too hard. Stay light on your feet, keep your swings short, and enjoy watching their biggest weapon run out of steam.