A topspin serve is hit with forward spin imparted by brushing the back of the ball upward at contact. Like all spin serves, the topspin serve travels slower than a flat serve. The topspin on the ball makes it dive downward, so that it can be aimed high over the net and still land in. For the physics involved in the flight of spinning balls, see the Magnus effect. The topspin serve therefore is a relatively safe serve often used as a second serve. The topspin serve should not be hit weaker than the first serve, but with the same amount of, or even more power than the first serve.
The topspin on the ball also makes it bounce high. Many receivers handle the high bounce well on their forehand side but not on their backhand side. Therefore, placed to the backhand, topspin serves are useful for serve and volley play, even on the first serve.
The topspin serve is harder to learn than the flat serve and the topspin-slice serve, as the contact point is directly over the server's head or perhaps even a little behind it, requiring complex body mechanics. It is hit with a Continental grip or an Eastern Backhand grip (using the forehand side of the racket face).
The topspin on the ball also makes it bounce high. Many receivers handle the high bounce well on their forehand side but not on their backhand side. Therefore, placed to the backhand, topspin serves are useful for serve and volley play, even on the first serve.
The topspin serve is harder to learn than the flat serve and the topspin-slice serve, as the contact point is directly over the server's head or perhaps even a little behind it, requiring complex body mechanics. It is hit with a Continental grip or an Eastern Backhand grip (using the forehand side of the racket face).
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