Where to Serve in Tennis: Simple Targets That Win Points (Singles + Doubles)
Most players think serving is about power. However, matches are usually won by players who understand where to serve in tennis, not just how hard to hit.
If you constantly get your serve returned aggressively, your placement is likely predictable. Therefore, learning where to serve in tennis becomes one of the fastest ways to improve match results.
At Infinity Racquet Club in Fulshear, we teach players to choose targets with purpose. This guide breaks down simple serve locations that win points in both singles and doubles.
Why Knowing Where to Serve in Tennis Changes Everything
Serve placement controls:
- Return quality
- Court positioning
- Opponent balance
- First-shot advantage
Instead of serving randomly, you should ask:
- What side am I on?
- What is the score?
- What is my opponent’s weakness?
That is how smart players decide where to serve in tennis.
The Three Primary Serve Targets in Tennis
No matter your level, there are only three main locations:
- Wide
- Body
- Down the T
Master these, and you master serve strategy.
1. Wide Serve
A wide serve lands near the sideline of the service box.
Why it works
- Pulls opponent off court
- Opens space for your next shot
- Creates sharp angles
Best situations
- Against slow movers
- To open forehand space
- Early in games to test movement
When players ask us where to serve in tennis to open the court, the answer is often wide.
2. Body Serve
A body serve targets your opponent’s torso or dominant hip.
Why it works
- Jams the returner
- Prevents full swing extension
- Produces weak or short returns
This is the most underrated answer to where to serve in tennis. Many club players never use it, yet it wins countless points.
3. Serve Down the T
The T serve travels along the center service line.
Why it works
- Shortest distance over net
- Higher margin
- Limits opponent angles
If you feel pressure on big points, the T is usually the safest choice when deciding where to serve in tennis.
Where to Serve in Tennis (Singles Strategy)
In singles, your goal is to create space.
Deuce Court Strategy (Right Side)
- Wide serve attacks backhand
- T serve challenges forehand
- Body serve jams aggressive returners
Ad Court Strategy (Left Side)
- T serve attacks backhand
- Wide serve pulls opponent off court
- Body serve works under pressure
Knowing where to serve in tennis on break points dramatically increases your hold percentage.
Where to Serve in Tennis (Doubles Strategy)
Doubles changes everything. Angles are tighter, and net players influence returns.
Best Doubles Serve Target: Body
- Limits return angles
- Allows partner to poach
- Reduces risk of sharp crosscourt returns
In league doubles around Fulshear and Katy, the body serve wins more points than wide serves.
T Serve in Doubles
- Controls the center
- Reduces alley exposure
- Keeps ball away from net player
If you are unsure where to serve in tennis doubles, aim body or T first.
Second Serve Target Rules
Second serves require discipline.
- Body
- T with topspin
- Avoid risky wide serves
Consistency beats ambition on second serves.
Simple Serve Pattern That Wins Matches
At Infinity Racquet Club, we teach this beginner-to-intermediate pattern:
- First serve wide
- Second serve body
- Mix T serve occasionally
This prevents predictability.
Score-Based Serve Strategy
| Score Situation | Best Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 0-0 | Wide | Test movement |
| 30-30 | Body | Reduce risk |
| Ad-In | T | Highest margin |
| Break point | Body or T | Safe and controlled |
| Doubles 40-30 | Body | Set up poach |
Beginner Rule: The 70% Box System
- Aim for middle third of box
- Avoid extreme angles
- Focus on consistency
After accuracy improves, then expand targets.
Practice Drill: Target Training
- Place cones at Wide, Body, and T areas.
- Hit 10 serves per target.
- Track success rate.
- Repeat weekly.
Tracking percentages builds awareness quickly.
Why Local Players in Fulshear Improve Faster With Coaching
Many players search for “tennis lessons near me” or “private tennis lessons in Fulshear TX” because serve consistency is difficult to fix alone.
At Infinity Racquet Club:
- Certified coaches analyze serve mechanics.
- We build tactical serve routines.
- Players learn match-based placement decisions.
Our facility at 6215 Teal Rd, Fulshear, TX provides professional courts and structured training environments.
If you want to master where to serve in tennis, structured repetition matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should beginners serve in tennis?
Beginners should aim toward the middle of the service box. This increases consistency and reduces double faults.
Is wide serve always the best option?
No. Wide serves open the court, but they carry more risk. Body and T serves often provide higher margins.
What is the safest serve target under pressure?
The T serve or body serve is usually safest because it reduces angle and risk.
Where to serve in tennis doubles?
In doubles, body serves are typically most effective because they jam the returner and allow net players to intercept.
Final Thoughts: Where to Serve in Tennis to Win More Points
Power is impressive. Placement wins matches.
- Opponent weakness
- Score pressure
- Court side
- Singles or doubles format
If you are ready to improve your serve placement and match strategy, book a free trial session at Infinity Racquet Club in Fulshear.
Call 346-318-3556 or visit infinitefuturetennis.com to get started.
