How long do you have the advantage when serving

Hi Pingskills,

How long do you think you have the advantage for when serving? I understand that as the server you have an advantage because you control the ball's opening movements, but if that serve is negated by the receiver and a good return of serve has been played, does the server still hold any advantage? I feel that when you watch a game of Tennis, if the receiver can get the serve back into court and return to a neutral middle position, the rally is usually anyones. Do you think this is the same in table tennis? Does a solid return of serve mean the server holds no advantage in the rally?

Hi Simon,

I think you are right with this that if the return is effective then it is a neutral rally.  

However it has intrigued me for a while that I see in Tennis even though the players get into a long baseline rally it is often the server that comes out on top.  Is this just because the server has the first easy ball in play.

I also often see when beginner players play a game.  The server often wins the point because they have put the first ball in play.  I am not sure if they are related, but it is interesting.