A strong serve can still leave you scrambling if the return comes straight back at your feet. The point is not over, though: the shot you play next may matter more than the serve itself. In singles, planning that first groundstroke—the “plus one”—turns a serve into a pattern rather than a hopeful attempt at an ace.
Serve-plus-one strategy means choosing a serve with your next shot in mind, then using the return to attack space, take control of the rally, or at least avoid starting on the back foot. It is a tactical idea, not a special rule. You can use it at any level, even if your serve is not especially fast.
What “serve plus one” means
The serve is the first shot; the “plus one” is the server’s next shot after the receiver returns it. A serve that wins the point outright has no plus-one ball, and a missed return ends the sequence too. But when the return comes back, the server should already have an idea of what to do with it.
That plan should be flexible. A serve may draw a short, weak return—or a firm return that lands deep. Serve-plus-one does not mean swinging for a winner on the first groundstroke every time. It means connecting the serve’s placement and likely return with a sensible next decision.
The rules that shape the pattern
In singles, a legal serve must land in the diagonally opposite service box. The server must stand behind the baseline, between the center mark and the singles sideline, and must not touch the baseline or court with either foot before striking the ball. The receiver can stand anywhere on their side of the court, so the server has to read the receiver’s position rather than assume a fixed return spot.
Players alternate serving games, and within a game the server alternates between the deuce and ad courts. The first point of each game is served from the deuce court; the next is served from the ad court. That matters because the geometry changes: a wide serve from one side opens a different area than a wide serve from the other. If a serve clips the net and lands in the correct service box, it is a let and is replayed; it does not count as a fault.
These rules set the boundaries. The tactic is to use the legal service box to move the receiver, then prepare for the return that movement is likely to produce.
Build a pattern around the serve
Serve wide to open the opposite side
A wide serve can pull the receiver toward the singles sideline and leave more court uncovered on the other side. If the return floats short, the server can often step in and direct the next shot into that open space. The key is not to decide on a winner before seeing the return: a deep, well-angled return may require a safer crosscourt ball instead.
A familiar left-handed pattern is the wide serve from the ad court, especially against a right-handed receiver. It can drag the receiver outside the court and create room for the server’s next shot. Rafael Nadal used this kind of lefty serve to create attacking forehands, but the pattern works only when the placement is good enough to make the receiver stretch. A predictable wide serve can be anticipated and returned aggressively.
Serve to the body to jam the return
A body serve gives the receiver less room to swing freely. It can produce a cramped return that sits nearer the middle, which may give the server time to step around or attack with a controlled groundstroke. Body serves are particularly useful when a receiver is standing far to one side to cover a wide delivery.
Do not assume every jammed return will be weak. A good receiver may still block it deep. The server should split-step as the receiver makes contact and be ready to play either side, rather than charging forward on the assumption that the return will sit up.
Serve down the T to limit angles
A serve down the T targets the center of the service box. It can reduce the receiver’s available return angle and make it harder to send the ball sharply crosscourt. That may give the server a more predictable ball to handle, even if the return is not especially short.
On a big point, a well-placed T serve followed by a deep shot through the middle can be a smart, low-risk combination. It takes time away from the receiver without asking the server to hit near a sideline on the next ball.
Choose the plus-one shot by reading the return
Look at the return’s height, depth, direction, and pace. A short ball is an invitation to move forward and attack, but a deep return may call for a neutralizing shot with height and margin. If the returner has been pulled wide, the open court may look tempting; if they recover quickly, aiming too close to the line can hand them an easy counterattack.
Use the serve to influence the reply, then use the reply to confirm your decision. For example, after serving wide, you might expect a crosscourt return. If it arrives short, attack the open side. If it lands deep, play a controlled ball crosscourt or through the middle and recover. The pattern is a starting point, not a promise that the next ball will arrive exactly where you want it.
Also consider your own strengths. A player with a reliable forehand may serve to create a forehand plus one. Someone with a stronger backhand might prefer a serve that draws the return toward that wing. The best pattern is one you can execute under pressure, not simply the most aggressive-looking one.
Common serve-plus-one mistakes
- Trying to hit a winner too early. A good serve creates an advantage, but the return may still be deep or well placed. Make the next ball count without forcing it.
- Serving to a target without a follow-up plan. Before you serve, picture the likely return and where you will recover. If the serve goes somewhere unexpected, adapt.
- Watching the serve instead of preparing. After contact, recover toward a useful position and split-step as the returner strikes. Standing still leaves you late.
- Repeating an obvious pattern. If the receiver starts leaning toward your wide serve, change the target or use a body serve to keep them honest.
- Going for too much on second serves. A second serve still needs a plan, but double faults are costly. Prioritize a reliable delivery and a manageable next shot.
How to practise it
Start with a simple serve-and-return drill. Choose one serve location and tell your partner which return pattern you expect. Serve, split-step, and play the next ball to a large target. After several repetitions, have the returner vary the depth and direction so you learn to adjust instead of memorizing a sequence.
Then play points that begin with a serve. Give yourself a clear goal—such as serving wide and attacking a short return—but count the point normally. This adds pressure and teaches an important lesson: the serve creates an opportunity, while your response to the actual return decides what happens next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is serve plus one an official tennis rule?
No. It is a tactical term for the server’s first shot after the return. The usual serving rules still apply, including serving diagonally into the correct service box.
Should my plus-one shot always be a forehand?
No. Many players try to create a forehand because it is their stronger attacking shot, but a solid backhand or a deep neutral ball may be the better choice. Base the pattern on your strengths and the return you receive.
What is the safest serve-plus-one pattern for a beginner?
Use a reliable serve toward the middle or body, then aim the next shot deep through the center of the court. This reduces the receiver’s angles and gives you a larger target while you practise timing and recovery.
Where should I stand after serving?
Recover toward a balanced position that reflects your serve and the likely return. Do not automatically run to the exact middle: a wide serve may make a crosscourt return more likely, while a central serve may call for a more central recovery. Split-step as the receiver hits.
Final Thoughts
Serve-plus-one tennis is about linking two shots with a clear purpose. Pick a serve that can move or pressure the receiver, prepare for a realistic return, and choose the next shot based on what actually comes back. When the plan is sound, you do not need to hit a winner immediately—you just need to make the first advantage count.
