How to Return a Lefty Slice Serve

Here’s how to turn the tables on a wicked slice out wide.

ADJUST YOUR POSITIONING
Usually when you return serve, you stand in a neutral position with your outside leg lined up with the singles sideline. But against a lefty, particularly when returning from the ad court, you want to take another step to your left. Straddle the singles sideline with your feet and stand just behind the baseline.

MOVE FORWARD DIAGONALLY
You have to move in to hit the ball early, before the serve drags you too far out wide. In a way, you’re attacking the ball before it attacks you. Start your shoulder turn and backswing a little earlier than you would on other serves and move forward to take the ball on the rise. Try to move in far enough to prevent the serve from taking you any wider than the doubles alley. If you move only to the side, you may hit the ball well, but you’ll be so far off the court that there will be no chance for recovery.

GET YOUR RACQUET ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BALL
Because it’s spinning away from your body, you have to get behind the ball and generate good racquet-head speed. And to hit the ball in the direction you want it to go, it helps to have a full followthrough. For example, if you’re hitting a backhand off a slice serve in the ad court, and you don’t follow through properly, your shot may sail to the left because the spin has started moving it out wide. This makes hitting the return down the line difficult. Because your return will likely fade to the left, I strongly recommend picking a crosscourt target. This gives you some margin for error if you don’t hit the ball at the perfect time. 

Article by Craig Kardon, Photos by Manuela Davies/Double Exposure – Tennis.com