Return of serve

The shot a receiver plays to send a tennis serve back into play. It begins the receiver’s attempt to win the point.

Split step: A small preparatory hop that helps a player move quickly in response to an opponent’s shot. Timed as the server strikes, it prepares the receiver to move toward the serve.
Chip and charge: A tennis tactic in which a player slices a return and advances toward the net. It turns a low, controlled return into an immediate approach against a serve.
Block return: A compact return that uses the incoming serve’s pace with little swing. It offers a simpler response to fast serves than a full attacking stroke.
Andre Agassi: An American tennis player known for elite return-of-serve skills and eight major singles titles. His early positioning and compact strokes made aggressive returns effective against powerful servers.
Tennis grip: The way a player holds a tennis racket, which affects racket-face angle and stroke mechanics. Grip determines how readily the racket can handle different serve heights and spins.
Serve-and-volley: A tennis tactic in which the server advances to the net after serving to volley the return. Its pressure forces the receiver to pass or lob rather than merely keep the ball in play.
Chip return: A short, controlled return struck with underspin, usually using a compact motion. Its low trajectory contrasts with a topspin drive and can disrupt an advancing server.
Novak Djokovic: A Serbian tennis player who has won numerous major singles titles and is known for exceptional defensive movement. His anticipation and balance let him redirect difficult serves into neutral rallies.
Tennis footwork: The movement patterns players use to reach and position themselves for tennis shots. Efficient first steps help the receiver reach wide or body-directed serves.
Return position: The receiver’s location on court before and during an opponent’s serve. Moving closer or farther from the baseline trades reaction time for time to handle the bounce.

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