4 tips for the perfect second tennis serve

Here are some simple tips that any tennis player can follow to help them develop the perfect second serve.

The most effective second serves are hit with topspin. This spin allows the ball to travel far and high and still drop into the service box. Try practising brushing up on the backside of the ball as you swing down and through, and you can ensure that you've created enough spin to make the ball bounce deep when it lands, so you don't give your opponent the opportunity to get on the offensive.

Most first serves require you to toss the ball high out in front of your head. However, a second serve toss has a different location — right above the top of your head. When you toss the ball above your head, you give yourself the ability to swing fully through the serve and brush up on the ball for spin. One trick for getting the toss in the right place is to aim to throw the ball above the opposite shoulder of the throwing hand.

Practise is the key for second serves because second serves are shots with a lot of pressure, since losing or not losing the point hinges on getting the serve in. And, when there's pressure, a player's muscles tend to tighten and tense up. If you want to ensure that you don't get affected physically by the pressure of the point and miss your serve, practise your second serve daily. Make your second serve part of your muscle memory, and you'll be able to execute it and get it in without having to think about it in the moment.

Because a second serve is usually a weaker and less powerful shot, hitting to a player's strong side may result in having the ball put away. To ensure that your second serve doesn't get attacked, aim it to your opponent's weaker side. Pay attention to whether he or she favours the backhand or the forehand, then hit away from that side. Aiming your second serve appropriately will help set you up for a better rest-of-point.