A second serve is not simply a softer serve. It is a decision made under pressure: give the returner a comfortable swing and risk a deep, aggressive reply, or aim for a less comfortable contact point and risk missing the box. And one detail can change the whole exchange: whether the ball is sent toward the backhand or the forehand.
At professional level, that choice can shape the return’s depth, the server’s next shot and, ultimately, who wins the point. But there is no magic rule that says “backhand always wins.” A top player may punish a second serve to the backhand with a deep, skidding return; another may prefer to attack a forehand that arrives high, wide or on the run. The matchup matters. So does the serve’s spin, speed, location and the returner’s position.
Here’s the practical answer: aiming at the backhand often gives a server a safer way to limit the returner’s attacking options, while targeting the forehand can be effective when it jams the returner or pulls them out of position. The best placement is the one that makes the returner hit late, stretched or off balance—not simply the one aimed at a particular wing.
What the tour-level numbers can—and can’t—tell us
It helps to start with the scoreboard context. Across recent professional seasons, broad tour-level benchmarks have generally put ATP players around the low-to-mid 70s in first-serve points won and near 50 percent on second-serve points won. On the WTA Tour, first-serve points won have generally been around the low-to-mid 60s, with second-serve points won often in the mid-40s. Those are useful ballpark ranges, not exact October 2026 season figures: the 2026 season is still in progress, and the numbers move with surface, tournament level and the players included.
There’s another important limit. Public match statistics commonly track whether a serve was made, whether it was an ace or unreturned, and who won the point. They do not consistently provide a complete, season-wide breakdown linking second-serve direction, return depth and the server’s point-winning rate. So it would be misleading to claim that serving to the backhand produces a universal, precise percentage advantage. The tactical patterns below are about how the geometry and quality of the contact tend to shape the rally—not a promise of a fixed statistical gain.
| Broad recent tour context | Approximate range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| ATP first-serve points won | Low-to-mid 70s percent | A general tour benchmark; varies by surface and season. |
| ATP second-serve points won | Near 50 percent | The server is much more vulnerable once the first serve misses. |
| WTA first-serve points won | Low-to-mid 60s percent | Do not compare directly without accounting for playing conditions. |
| WTA second-serve points won | Often mid-40s percent | Return pressure and serve quality strongly affect the result. |
Why backhand placement can keep the return shorter
For many players, the backhand is the more stable return wing—but “stable” does not always mean “attacking.” A returner who wants to drive a second serve hard may need a clean contact point, enough time to set the shoulders, and a ball that sits at a comfortable height. A well-placed kick serve to the backhand can disrupt all three.
On a right-hander’s ad court, for example, a serve that kicks up toward the backhand shoulder can make a two-handed returner contact the ball high and close to the body. That is an awkward spot from which to drive a precise, deep return. The returner may block it back, float it short or choose extra spin instead of a full-blooded attack. The server then gets a more manageable first ball.
The same basic idea applies on the deuce court when a server uses a body serve or directs the ball into a cramped backhand contact. The aim is not always to hit a winner. It may be to take away the returner’s preferred swing path and prevent a clean, forward-moving return.
Consider the familiar pattern of a kick serve into a strong returner’s backhand, followed by the server’s first forehand into the open court. The serve has done its job if it has forced the returner to hit from behind the baseline, made them contact high, or kept them from changing direction. Even a return that lands deep can be less dangerous if it arrives with little pace and gives the server time to set up.
Why a forehand target can be the better choice
Sending a second serve to the forehand can look risky—and sometimes it is. A returner who loves stepping around the backhand may welcome a predictable ball into that side and unload. But forehand placement can be a smart choice when it takes away the player’s preferred return position or makes them hit on the move.
A serve wide to the forehand can pull a returner off court. If the return comes back crosscourt, the server may have a clear opening down the line; if the returner tries to change direction, they must do so while stretched. A body serve toward the forehand can also jam a player who likes taking a big cut at the ball. The issue is not which stroke they prefer in a neutral rally. It is whether they can get their feet and racket into position for this particular return.
There are also players whose forehand return is the more reliable weapon. Against them, a second serve repeatedly aimed at the backhand may be too predictable. A forehand target, used selectively, can change the returner’s starting position and make them hesitate. That uncertainty matters: if the returner cannot lean early toward one side, the server has a better chance of creating a late, defensive contact.
Return depth is about contact quality, not just direction
“Deep return” sounds simple, but depth alone does not tell the whole story. A return landing near the baseline with heavy pace can put the server on the defensive. A similarly deep return with little weight may be easier to handle. And a short return is not automatically a gift if it is sharply angled and pulls the server wide.
Serve placement affects return depth through the time and space it leaves the returner. A serve close to the body can cramp the swing. A wide serve can stretch the returner and narrow their options for driving the ball down the line. A kick serve can push contact higher, while a slice serve may pull the returner outward. Each can produce a shorter or more defensive response for a different reason.
That is why “backhand versus forehand” is only one part of the tactical picture. A second serve aimed at a player’s backhand but landing comfortably in their strike zone may be less effective than a body serve to the forehand that forces a late, jammed return.
| Second-serve target | Possible effect on the return | Server’s tactical opportunity | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backhand, especially high or into the body | Can limit a full swing and encourage a block or safer reply | Look for a predictable, less forceful first return | A strong backhand returner may attack the pattern if it becomes obvious. |
| Wide to the forehand | Can stretch the returner and pull them away from court position | Use the open court or anticipate a crosscourt reply | A player with a strong running forehand may turn defense into attack. |
| Into the body on either side | Can jam the returner and disrupt the swing path | Invite a compact return and take the first ball early | A serve without enough pace or disguise may sit up. |
| Wide with slice or kick | Can change contact height and move the returner outside the court | Open space for the next shot | Too much angle can leave the server exposed to a sharp return. |
How the target changes the server’s point-winning chances
The serve’s effect on point-winning rate often shows up before the point looks dramatic. If the returner cannot attack, the server is more likely to begin the rally on neutral terms—or with a small advantage. If the returner can step in and drive the ball deep, the server may start defending immediately. That first exchange is a major reason second-serve placement matters.
But a serve winner is not the only measure of good placement. A serve to the backhand that draws a weak return and sets up a forehand winner still counts as a successful pattern, even though the serve itself was not an ace. Likewise, a wide forehand target may be valuable because it opens the court, even if the return lands deep. To judge a tactic properly, look beyond the immediate return and ask what position the server has after the next shot.
There is a trade-off, too. Aiming closer to a sideline or changing spin can increase the chance of a missed second serve. A safer serve down the middle may be easier to return, but it can reduce the risk of a double fault and make the next ball more predictable for the server. The best choice depends on the score. At 30–40, a player may favor a higher-margin target; at a less exposed moment, they may take more risk to avoid a returner who is stepping inside the baseline.
For that reason, placement data should be read alongside double faults, serve speed, spin, surface, score and returner position. A raw comparison of “points won when serving to the backhand” versus “points won when serving to the forehand” can be deceptive. Players tend to choose different targets in different situations, and the opponent’s strengths influence those choices. The target does not act alone.
What players and coaches should look for
For a player trying to make a second serve more effective, the goal is to build a pattern rather than chase a favorite direction. Watch where the returner stands and how they respond to different heights and locations. Do they step around the backhand? Do they move forward against a slower serve? Are they comfortable taking the forehand early, or do they struggle when the ball gets into their body?
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Track the return’s landing spot as well as whether it was “in” or “out.” Note whether the server had time to attack the next ball.
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Test the body serve. It can be a useful change-up against a returner who leans early toward either wing.
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Use height and spin to change contact quality. A kick serve and a flatter second serve to the same side can create very different returns.
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Change the pattern when the returner begins anticipating. Repeatedly finding the backhand is only useful while it remains uncomfortable.
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Judge the tactic over a meaningful sample. A few returns in one match can be affected by wind, nerves, surface and the score.
At the professional level, the best servers do not simply pick a wing and hope. They use location to set up the next shot, then adjust when the returner starts reading the pattern. A serve to the backhand might establish the threat; a body serve or wide forehand target can then punish the returner for leaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a second serve to the backhand usually safer?
It can be a high-percentage choice, especially when the serve moves the returner’s contact high, close to the body or behind the baseline. But it is not automatically safer against a player with a strong backhand return. Serve quality and the opponent’s positioning matter more than the label of the wing.
Does serving to the forehand always lead to a more aggressive return?
No. A forehand may be a returner’s stronger shot, but a wide or body serve can still stretch or jam them. The key question is whether the player can take a balanced swing—not simply whether the ball is on their forehand side.
Does a deeper return always mean the returner has won the exchange?
No. Depth matters, but pace, spin, angle and the server’s balance matter too. A deep, slow return may leave the server in control, while a shorter angled return can pull them out of position.
How can I tell which target is working in a match?
Look at the server’s position after the return and the quality of the next shot. If one direction repeatedly produces a rushed or defensive return, and the server can attack the following ball, that pattern is working—even if it does not produce an immediate ace or outright winner.
Final Thoughts
Second-serve placement to the backhand often helps a server by disrupting timing and reducing the returner’s ability to attack cleanly. A forehand target can be just as effective when it pulls the player wide, jams their swing or challenges their preferred positioning. Neither side is a universal weakness.
The real separator is the quality of the contact the serve creates. If the returner is stretched, cramped, late or forced to hit from an uncomfortable height, the server has improved the odds of controlling the point. Watch the next ball, not just the landing spot of the serve—that’s where the tactical story really shows up.
