Russia’s Daniil Medvedev has said his use of the underarm serve is not to ‘mock’ his opponent as he branded the approach as a legitimate tactic in the sport.
The world No.4 used the method during his match against Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals on Monday. Leading 6-3,4-3 (30-30), the Russian unexpectedly hit an underarm serve and ended up winning the point after engaging in a rally. Something he said that he didn’t plan to do heading into the clash. Medvedev went on to win the match three games later in what was his first ever victory at the season-ending championships.
“I was not planning it at all. I can hit it sometimes once every one or two weeks during practice,” Medvedev said during his press conference.
“I knew I was able to put it (an underarm serve) in, which is the most important thing. If you miss then you have a second serve and you will be much tighter.’
“I did it once before at Roland Garros because on the clay it’s tough to serve aces and it worked.”
Medvedev’s decision to catch Zverev off guard was triggered by the position where his opponent was standing. Throughout the match the two engaged in a series of baseline rallies.
“At that moment I saw he was really far (behind the baseline) and I was thinking about where to go. I didn’t see an obvious choice and the ball was close to my racket. He made a good shot to return back but I managed to win the point and that’s the most important,” he said.
An underarm serve?
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 16, 2020
At the #NittoATPFinals?
You LOVE to see it, @DaniilMedwed 😆 pic.twitter.com/DvVzaRt6x2
The underarm serve has had a revival in recent years thanks to players such as Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Bublik using it on the Tour. Although the technique has been used throughout the history of the sport. Notable occasions include Michael Chang at the 1989 French Open against Ivan Lendl and Martina Hingis at the 1999 French Open against Steffi Graf.
Whilst it remains a relatively rare occurrence, Medvedev insists that the underarm serve by no means disrespects either the sport or the opponent.
“I think with Nick and Bublik it became part of tennis,” he explains. “If you look at Bublik’s interviews he likes to have fun on the court but he says that he doesn’t want to disrespect his opponent with this.’
“I didn’t do it at 40-0 on my serve to laugh or mock him (Zverev). I did it at 30-all to win the point, to win the match. That was the case and it worked. I see nothing disrespectful.’
“Of course, if 100 other players say I did something wrong maybe I will think not to do it the next time but I don’t think that is the case.”
Medvedev will next play Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals on Wednesday.
