Waldner's sudden opposite serve

Dimitar Dimitrov Asked 10 years ago

Waldner have many types of serve but this one is outstanding. In the past he did this serve under the tossing hand however in modern days according to new rules about hidden serve he came with new version - same but without the tossing hand.

The serve is toss the ball high, remove your hand, then swing your entire body and hit the ball suddenly in the opposite of opponent's position direction straight closely to the sideline.

We know that you cannot hit the ball under the tossing hand cause prevent the line of sight, but if at the moment when the tossed ball is in the air can you move or you must stay still? I am developing a version for myself that you can hit the ball under the tossing hand if this not preventing the vision. Toss the ball, the ball start to fall down, you remove the tossing hand, the ball continue to fall down then you place the free tossing hand above the ball and hit the ball with the racket. In every given moment the ball will be visible including the moment when the racket hit it. So it will not be hidden.

Of course maybe i cannot explain it well because i am beginner but here is the video of the serve which i am trying to modify

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQwWSNXKqkk

safir open 2014 under the new rules

Waldner's serve at the 3:55

Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago

Hi Dimitar,

The rule also talks about not having your arm anywhere in that area between the ball and the net and anywhere above or below as well so you may not get away with it.

I do like the serve Waldner does.  One of the Waldner classics.  Seems he has lost a bit of his speed but not his touch or tactical sense… he is 50 after all.