Tennis, a sport steeped in tradition and governed by well-established rules, occasionally invites players and fans to ponder: if you could change just one rule, what would it be and why? In a game where split-second decisions and physical skill reign supreme, even minor tweaks to the rules could ripple across the sport, altering strategy and excitement in unexpected ways.
One rule that has sparked recent conversation among players, including British tennis talent Jack Draper, is the use of the underarm serve. At just 23 years old, Draper is already making waves on the ATP Tour, not only for his competitive play but also for his willingness to question tennis norms. In an interview with The Tennis Gazette, Draper shared his perspective on this seldom-used, yet highly strategic, serving technique.
The underarm serve involves striking the ball with an underhand motion rather than the traditional overhead serve. Historically, while legal, it has often been viewed as a cheeky or unsportsmanlike tactic—something deployed more for surprise or to unsettle an opponent than as a standard play. Yet Draper believes it deserves a rethink.
He recalled his experience with the underarm serve on the ITF Tour, tennis’s entry-level professional circuit. Initially skeptical, Draper found that the tactic requires a heightened sense of anticipation and quicker reflexes from both the server and the returner. **”At first, you hate the idea,”** Draper admitted, **”but then you realize you start returning much better because you have to stay sharp—always ready for that unexpected shot.”** This mental alertness, he argues, could actually enhance the quality of play.
The strategic depth of the underarm serve lies in its element of surprise. In a sport often dominated by powerful, lightning-fast serves that leave opponents scrambling, an underarm serve breaks the rhythm. Players accustomed to predicting serves based on familiar cues are suddenly forced to adjust instantly, potentially shifting momentum. Draper pointed out the excitement this injects into a match, suggesting it could diversify styles and tactics across the ATP Tour.
Some critics dismiss the underarm serve as a cheap shot, perhaps an exploitation of sportsmanship norms. However, Draper contends it’s a fair and clever move, and any attempt to ban or limit it would undermine the game’s strategic richness. Despite not regularly practicing the underarm serve, partly because his coach teases him about lacking the skill, Draper recognizes its potential. His serve rating, which places him 11th on the ATP Tour with a score around 285, shows he is a competent server overall, and with focus, he could add this serve to his arsenal.
The conversation around the underarm serve also reflects a broader curiosity about tennis’s adaptability. The sport has undergone various rule changes throughout its history, all aimed at balancing fairness, player endurance, and spectator appeal. For example, tie-breakers were introduced in the 1970s to prevent marathon sets that could last hours, fundamentally shifting match dynamics. Similarly, the adoption of electronic line-calling systems like Hawk-Eye has modernized umpiring, reducing human error and controversy.
Looking further back, the original rules of tennis—codified in the late 19th century—have evolved considerably. The sport’s roots trace to “real tennis,” a medieval indoor game with complex rules and walls integral to play. Modern lawn tennis, established by Major Walter Wingfield in 1873, standardized the format to the outdoor version we know today. Since then, innovations such as the introduction of the serve-and-volley style, the development of different court surfaces (grass, clay, hard court), and the implementation of color and design changes in balls and equipment have all contributed to the game’s development.
Even the scoring system itself remains unique across sports—love, 15, 30, 40—not without its confusions and curiosities. Some have proposed simpler or more intuitive scoring to make tennis more accessible to newcomers, although traditionalists often resist drastic alterations.
The underarm serve debate sits within this larger context of tennis constantly reimagining itself. While purists may view any deviation from convention with suspicion, innovation often drives sports forward. Legendary players like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have reshaped gameplay with their styles, and rule changes have sometimes been introduced to balance advantage—such as shortening allowed time between points to increase rally length.
Interestingly, the underarm serve has attracted attention before at the highest level. In recent years, top players like Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas have employed it during matches, sparking wide media discussion. Critics sometimes argue it’s unsportsmanlike, while others praise it as a legitimate tactic that requires skill and boldness. This ongoing debate shows how tennis balances tradition with creativity.
Jack Draper’s openness towards popularizing the underarm serve reflects a modern tennis culture increasingly comfortable with blending respect for history and entertaining innovation. Whether the underarm serve will become a mainstream weapon or remain a surprise tactic remains to be seen.
Ultimately, tennis’s appeal lies not only in its rigorous physical demands but also in its cerebral challenges and continual evolution. Rule changes, whether large or small, invite players to test creativity, adapt strategies, and keep fans engaged. As the sport moves forward, perhaps the most important message is a willingness to embrace innovation while honoring the spirit of fair competition.
So, next time you watch a match and see a player unexpectedly drop to an underarm serve, pause to appreciate the subtle strategy behind the shot—because in tennis, as Draper suggests, it’s often the unexpected that makes the game truly thrilling.