20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer has become the latest player to weigh in on the debate concerning underarm serving.
Underarm serving, which is rarely used on the tour, was placed in the spotlight earlier this week. During Nick Kyrgios’ match against Rafael Nadal at the Mexican Open, he tried to use the technique to catch the Spaniard off guard. Nadal was standing well behind the baseline on that point. However, it proved unsuccessful for Kyrgios, who went on to win the match.
“That’s the only reason for doing it,” Kyrgios said in a reply to the praise he received from fans on Facebook over the shot.
“I mean isn’t the idea to serve where the person can’t get the ball? Try to get an ace?”
https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/1100977712095809536
Sharing his opinion about the technique, former world No.1 Federer has backed Kyrgios’ shot. Saying players ‘shouldn’t be ashamed’ about using underarm serving during matches. Overhead serving is more popular because of the extra power it generates.
“Underarm is definitely a tactic, I believe. Especially when guys are hugging the fence in the back. From that standpoint, [you] shouldn’t be ashamed if you try it out. [You] just look silly if you miss it sometimes. Why not try it?” atptour.com quoted Federer as saying. “The problem is in practice, you never really try it. When you come out in the big stage in front of a full crowd, [it is] tricky to pull off.”
Who blames kyrgios when goes for the underarm serve? (Guy in purple is nadal, not a line judge) pic.twitter.com/StVK4M72vl
— FedExpress (@TennisPhan2) February 28, 2019
In the history of tennis, underarm serving has been used numerous times. One of the most well known is Michael Chang during his match against Ivan Lendl at the 1989 French Open. Martina Hingis also tried the tactic during her clash with Stefi Graf in the final of the same tournament back in 1999. Despite the negative reaction it may get from the crowd, the method is perfectly legal in the sport.
Following his exit from the Mexican Open, Nadal said Kyrgios ‘lacks respect for the crowd, his opponent and towards himself.’ Although it is unclear if the underarm serve contributed to that comment. The unexpected war of words between the two players has since been played down by Kyrgios.
“I’m different. Rafa’s different. He can focus on what he needs to do,” Kyrgios said.
“He doesn’t know the journey I’ve been through. He doesn’t know anything about me so I’m not going to listen at all.”
Both Kyrgios and Federer have reached the semi-finals of the tournaments they are playing in this week. On Friday Kyrgios plays John Isner in Acapulco and Federer takes on Borna Coric in Dubai.
