Tennisaufschläge

Tennisaufschläge, often simply called "serves," are the strokes that begin every point in a tennis match. The server stands behind the baseline and must hit the ball into the diagonally opposite service box on the opponent's side of the court. A legal serve requires the server to toss the ball into the air and strike it before it bounces. The server has two attempts to execute a legal serve; if both attempts are faults, the server loses the point.

There are various types of serves, with the most common being the flat serve, the slice serve, and the kick serve. A flat serve is hit with maximum pace, aiming for speed and power. A slice serve is hit with a brushing motion that imparts spin, causing the ball to curve and stay low after bouncing. A kick serve involves a more upward brushing motion, generating heavy topspin and a high bounce, which can be difficult for the receiver to handle.

The purpose of a serve is not only to start the point but also to gain an advantage. A powerful or well-placed serve can result in an ace (a serve that the receiver cannot touch) or force a weak return, allowing the server to attack the next shot. Conversely, a poor serve can put the server at a disadvantage, making it easier for the opponent to dictate the rally. The serve is a fundamental skill in tennis that requires practice and technique to master.