Simple serve at the top level

Jasper Low Asked 2 months ago

https://youtu.be/IrYN5BNqfc4?si=mXoeQeXn-n0CM5Y0

Take a look at the tokyo bronze medal match between Dima and Lin. Most of the backhand serves Dima were doing weren't his usual iconic backhand serve. It's a very simple looking serve where he cuts under the ball with full visibility of the ball and the racket and no stomping either. I remembered Alois saying in one of the serve strategy videos that a serve that looks simple might be more effective than a "favourite or standard serve". Why do you Dima used this serve so many times in such an important match?

Alois Rosario Answered 2 months ago

Hi Jasper,

Dima did shift away from his trademark heavy backhand sidespin serve and used a much simpler, very visible undercut serve repeatedly. And in a high-stakes match like that, it’s not a coincidence.

Here’s why I think he did it — and it lines up with what we often talk about in serve strategy at PingSkills.

A "simple" serve isn't always a weak serve. Sometimes, it's the most strategic serve.

Dima’s basic-looking backhand serve in that match gave him three key advantages:

1. He was able to keep the ball low and tight and not allow Lin any pace or spin to work with.

2. Breaking rhythm and disrupting expectations: Lin Yun-Ju likely prepared for Dima’s famous spin-heavy serves. When Dima used a straightforward serve instead, it disrupted Lin’s anticipation. The simplicity became deception — not because it was hard to read, but because it was unexpected.

So yes, what I said in the serve strategy video applies here too. A serve that’s “standard” or flashy might not always be your best option. Sometimes the best serve is the one that gives you control, clarity, and lets you set up the rest of the point the way you want.

The real lesson here is: use the serve that helps you win the rally — not just the one that looks impressive.