Returning side glass serves: positioning and technique

What this lesson covers

The primary objective when returning a serve directed at the side glass is to ensure the opponent touches the ball. Giving away points through unforced errors before the opponent even makes contact prevents any chance of them committing a mistake. When the serve is precise and forces the ball into the glass, the player must pivot and move back to create space. Stepping forward into the ball or remaining square to the net leads to being off-balance and hitting the ball wide.

If the serve hits the first panel of the side glass, the player should allow the ball to come off the wall while keeping the racket low to account for the slice. If the serve reaches the second panel, the player should aim to cut the return before it hits the glass. When pushed back by a deep serve, the player can use the extra time to open the racket face and play a lob, which exploits the increased court space. Returning to the server is effective because that player is still moving forward from the baseline.