Service Return

1. Approach: Although my weight is on my left leg, I am perfectly balanced with the racquet raised and my shoulders turned. It is easy to move on the shot when returning serve as you can be in a rush to head to the T. One way to stop this happening is to prepare well. As a result of this you can really hold onto your position well after the shot has gone.

2. Delivery: To ensure the return is solid you must make sure you take a full swing at the serve. It is easy to just push the ball because you are not moving onto the shot and naturally transferring your weight through. The racquet is now fully extended and prepared to come through in any plane you wish.

3. Impact: The racquet comes through, hitting the ball at full extension of my arm. My body is perfectly still and my head is focusing on the ball. I am looking to hit the return high on the front wall to make sure the ball comes through to the back wall. I keep the racquet face open on impact to ensure this.

4. Follow Through: When you hit a ball that is above your head the follow through is even more important. Any curtailing of the follow through will mean the racquet pulling the ball down on the front wall and therefore, giving it no chance of reaching the back wall. Here, I extend through the ball and then round towards the T, guiding my body in that direction as well. I am left in control of the rally from the very start.

1. Approach: I approach this return very aggressively, stepping up the court to meet the service. With my left leg leading I have to ensure I still rotate the shoulders and hips to create a solid position to strike the ball. The racquet is raised and my focus is totally on the ball.

2. Delivery: Although I am not rotating into the shot as much as normal the same principles apply as with any other shots. The racquet face is open and my upper body is still and my weight is transferring onto my front leg, getting ready to strike the ball.

3. Impact: The racquet is fully extended again at impact. By taking the ball early it has meant my opponent is not quite settled on the T. My racquet face is open and I am aiming to hit the ball above the service line on the front wall to make sure it reaches the back corner.

4. Follow Through: After impact the racquet continues toward the front wall in the direction the ball is traveling. To ensure the ball really gets past my opponent I allow the racquet to extend as far as it can away from my body. This is a finishing touch that directs the ball at pace into the corner and in this case forces a boast from my opponent.

1. Approach: With any shot high on the backhand side every aspect of the volley has to be correct. Anything less and the shot will be rubbish. My racquet is high, shoulders turned and my weight is transferring from the back foot. My front foot is not planted but yet it is preparing to take my weight.

2. Delivery: You can see on the clip how high I have the racquet raised with my eyes focused on the ball. My weight is still on the back leg but I am starting to transfer my weight up and across. You have to remain still from now until after the follow through.

3. Impact: My weight is now on my front leg. The racquet arm is fully extended and I am hitting the ball before it hits the sidewall. Keep the racquet face open and aim high on the front wall to make sure the ball gets to the back. Although this is the hardest shot to play well, the only other option is to let the ball drop and boast out of the back corner.

4. Follow Through: By hitting the ball high on the front wall you can afford to take the follow through down and then round towards the T. It gives the shot bite forcing your opponent deeper into the corner to retrieve the ball. It also pulls me back across the court and into a dominant position on the T.

1. Approach: Off another high serve I have my racquet above my head again, weight on the back foot and focusing on the ball. The racquet face is open which leaves my options open to hit any shot. This keeps my opponent guessing until the very last moment.

2. Delivery: I have taken the racquet all the way back and I am prepared to start with the delivery. My body has remained almost still. The only slight change is the transfer of weight towards my front foot. My opponent is already on the T with both feet planted and is forced to wait before being able to move.

3. Impact: With this being a cross court return, I have hit the ball above my head and way out in front of me. My body is not impeding on the swing at all. The racquet face is still open as I am aiming high in the front wall and my weight is transferred to my front foot.

4. Follow Through: The follow through comes down and across taking the ball off the front wall and then toward the corner at pace. My opponent’s weight is on his right leg and going forward so the movement into the corner is a difficult one. I am now heading back to the T at a comfortable pace in complete control of the rally.