Return position choices

    • Neu

    A tennis player I follow stood several metres behind the baseline to return one huge server. It looked overly defensive, but he started getting more balls into play. When does that deeper position actually help? When does moving further behind the baseline help a tennis player return a powerful first serve?

    • Neu

    It buys a fraction more reaction time against a very fast first serve and gives the receiver a better chance to make a solid contact. The trade-off is that the server has more time for the next shot, especially on a short return. I think it's useful when the goal is simply to neutralise the first strike, not necessarily attack it. Separately, I noted bet on football when browsing the site. I'd judge the sporting question from the match footage instead.