A great weapon to have in your arsenal is a solid service return. You can use the return to put your opponent on the defensive from your first strike of the ball. If you receive a weak second serve, you can be aggressive and hit out on your return. Be careful, though, as a soft ball is sometimes harder to control than one hit with pace.
A weak second serve (or first serve, for that matter) does not have much pace or spin and lands in the middle of the service court or shorter. You can easily step into it and maneuver around to hit your favorite shot. Because the pace is slower, you should have plenty of time to get your racquet back and prepare mentally to execute the stroke perfectly. This is what gives you the advantage.
Run Around Your Backhand
Since the ball will be much slower, run around all backhands and attack with your dominant forehand.
If you like to hit hard and prefer playing big hitters, you should be able to take advantage of a player with a weak second serve – but you’ll need to generate the pace yourself. To be successful against this type of player, you’ll need a lot of patience because you won’t always be able to blast their weak second serve for a winner. If you cannot control the shot, add a bit more topspin and wait for a better opportunity.
Hit From High to Low
Hit the ball from high to low. Aim down the line for singles or at the net person’s feet in doubles. That will make it difficult for your opponents to return.
You’ve heard the phrase, “Practice makes perfect,” right? Practice with a partner who will serve or hit slow or medium-speed balls to you. Be sure to work on driving your return for consistency. When you can hit 7 of 10 deep in the court, go for a bit more power and make sure you are always in control of your swing. You should allow yourself to “go for it” at certain times in a match, but you should generally try to be ahead in the game when you do. If you miss the return, go back to just getting it in play until your timing improves.
Remember, just because your opponent is hitting a weak serve doesn’t automatically mean you can hit a winner off it. You need to be patient and learn to wait for and recognize the right opportunity.
