A serve-and-volley point can be over almost as soon as it begins: the server strikes, races forward, and has to make a sharp decision before the returner can settle. The best practitioners made that rush look less like a gamble than a plan. Their styles differed—some relied on placement and touch, others on a huge serve—but each turned forward movement into a defining part of tennis.
What Makes a Great Serve-and-Volley Player?
Serve-and-volley means following the serve toward the net and trying to finish the point with a volley or overhead. The serve does more than start the point: it shapes the return and buys the server time to get into position. A successful player needs a reliable first serve, quick footwork, good balance, and the ability to volley from awkward positions.
The first volley is often the real test. It may arrive low, at the feet, or just as the server is still moving. Rather than go for a winner, a smart server-volleyer might block the ball deep through the middle, making the opponent hit another shot while leaving less court open. The goal is not always to end the point immediately; it is to take away the returner’s time and make the next shot difficult.
Famous Men’s Serve-and-Volley Players
John McEnroe: touch and angles
John McEnroe showed how much serve-and-volley tennis could be about feel rather than force. His serve was difficult to read, and his first volley often seemed to appear at an impossible angle. He could feather the ball short, redirect it across the court, or use a firm volley to finish. That variety made it hard for opponents to predict where to aim their return.
McEnroe’s left-handed serve also helped him open up the court, particularly when he pulled a right-handed opponent wide from the deuce side. His game is a reminder that the serve does not need to be the fastest in the match. Disguise, placement, and a confident first volley can be just as valuable.
Stefan Edberg: movement and clean technique
Stefan Edberg was one of the most graceful serve-and-volley players of the modern era. His movement carried him forward smoothly, and his volleying was compact and controlled, especially on the backhand side. Instead of swinging wildly at a difficult ball, he could hold his racket steady and use the incoming pace to direct it.
Edberg won Wimbledon twice and the US Open twice. His style offers a useful lesson for club players: getting close to the net is not enough. A player must arrive balanced, split-step as the opponent makes contact, and stay ready to adjust. Edberg’s footwork helped him make those small corrections that turn a rushed volley into a composed one.
Boris Becker: power and athleticism
Boris Becker brought explosive movement and a powerful serve to the attacking game. He could hit through opponents with his first serve, then cover the net with remarkable athleticism. When a return dipped low, he was capable of stretching, diving, or improvising his way into a position to keep the point alive.
Becker won Wimbledon three times, beginning with his breakthrough title in 1985. His approach was more forceful than Edberg’s, but the underlying principle was similar: use the serve to create a hurried return, then make the opponent deal with a volley under pressure.
Pete Sampras: a serve built for the next shot
Pete Sampras is often remembered for a superb all-court game, but his serve-and-volley attack was central to his success on grass. His serve could be fast, well placed, and hard to read. He followed it with a strong first volley and was particularly dangerous when an opponent managed only a defensive return.
Sampras won Wimbledon seven times. His example also shows that serve-and-volley does not mean charging forward blindly on every point. Good servers vary their placement and pace, and they choose their approach based on the return and the situation. A wide serve may create space for a volley into the open court; a serve up the middle can limit the returner’s angle.
Other notable names: Laver, Rafter, and Ivanisevic
Rod Laver used serve-and-volley as part of a complete attacking game. Patrick Rafter, a two-time US Open champion, was known for committing to the net and keeping pressure on opponents with his first volley. Goran Ivanisevic paired left-handed power with forward attacks; his Wimbledon title in 2001, won as a wildcard, remains one of the sport’s memorable stories.
| Player | Signature strength | What to notice |
|---|---|---|
| John McEnroe | Touch and disguise | How a modest-looking serve can set up an awkward return |
| Stefan Edberg | Movement and control | Balanced footwork and a compact volley |
| Boris Becker | Power and athleticism | How a strong serve can make the first volley easier |
| Pete Sampras | Serve placement and finishing | Varying the serve to open up the next shot |
| Patrick Rafter | Relentless net pressure | Following an attack with another forward move |
Famous Women’s Serve-and-Volley Players
Martina Navratilova: an attacking all-court standard
Martina Navratilova made an attacking style a huge part of her identity. She served and came forward with conviction, but her success was about more than charging the net. She could also rally from the baseline, so opponents had to respect both options. That uncertainty helped her create openings to move forward on her terms.
Navratilova won the Wimbledon singles title nine times. Her career is a strong example of how serve-and-volley can work as part of a broader game rather than as a rigid rule. She did not need to attack every ball; she needed to recognize when the serve, the return, or the opponent’s position made an approach worthwhile.
Billie Jean King: sharp anticipation
Billie Jean King was another major champion who often used the net as an attacking destination. She won Wimbledon singles six times and was known for reading play well and taking the ball early. Anticipation matters in serve-and-volley tennis because the server has little time to react after serving. Recognizing likely return patterns can help a player move efficiently instead of simply sprinting forward and hoping.
Why the Style Still Matters
Serve-and-volley is less common as a default singles strategy than it was in earlier eras, but it has not disappeared. Faster, higher-bouncing courts and powerful returns can make a constant net rush difficult. Today’s players still use it selectively: to surprise a returner, change the rhythm, exploit a short reply, or finish a point quickly. It remains especially familiar in doubles, where one partner is often already at the net.
The style is useful to study even if you play mainly from the baseline. It teaches you to serve with a purpose, move forward under control, and make a clear decision on the volley. Try it first as a variation rather than on every point. A well-chosen serve-and-volley can catch a returner standing far behind the baseline, while repeated attacks into a strong returner’s strike zone can quickly become predictable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is considered the greatest serve-and-volley player?
There is no single answer. Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, and Stefan Edberg are among the most celebrated men’s players, while Martina Navratilova is a leading example in the women’s game. Their styles were different, so the choice depends on whether you value serving, touch, movement, or all-court ability most.
Does serve-and-volley still work in modern tennis?
Yes, but it is usually a tactical variation rather than a strategy used on every serve. It can be effective when the server has a strong, well-placed delivery or catches the returner deep behind the baseline. The player still needs reliable volleys and good forward movement.
What is the most important skill for a beginner learning serve-and-volley?
Start with footwork and a controlled first volley. Serve at a manageable pace, move forward while staying balanced, and split-step as your opponent hits the return. Aim the volley deep or into open space instead of trying to hit a winner from a difficult position.
Should you serve-and-volley on a second serve?
It can work, especially with a well-placed or high-bouncing second serve, but it carries extra risk if the returner can attack. Practise it as a change-up and choose the moment carefully rather than making it automatic.
Final Thoughts
The famous serve-and-volley players succeeded by making the whole point work together: serve placement, forward movement, a balanced first volley, and a smart finish. McEnroe used touch, Edberg used clean technique, Becker and Sampras brought power, and Navratilova showed how net attacks could fit into a complete game. Their common lesson is simple: coming forward is most effective when the serve gives you a reason to do it.
