The underarm serve in tennis continues to divide opinion, with many players often using it to their advantage.
At the same time, however, it is a move that can backfire, as was the case for Cameron Norrie during his Madrid Open clash with Jannik Sinner.
The Briton tried to surprise the Italian with the move during their round of 16 tie this week, but his effort hit the net before he went on to lose 2-6, 5-7.
Many players who have come before him have made the same mistake, while others have really angered their opponents by launching the surprise move.
Very much in favor of players making use of the underarm serve is former ATP number one Andy Roddick, and he is absolutely right.
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Andy Roddick right to favor underarm serving
Speaking on his Served Podcast, Roddick said: “It’s a horrible play. It’s literally only if you catch someone not paying attention.
“And at that point, if someone’s not paying attention, guess what you do in sports? You expose it?
“It’s within the rules.
“I’m sorry, if I would pay someone to do this tactic all the time, I would literally have gone into every match and be like, I’ll drop you $500 today if you just serve underhand.
“Are you kidding me? If it’s something I want someone to do.
“We are the hardest sport in the world. And do you know when we look soft, is when we complain about getting hit in doubles, and when we complain about someone hitting an underhand serve, as if they’ve done something to personally offend us.
“There is nothing wrong with it. If you get caught not paying attention, that’s on you.”
He is certainly correct, with the underarm serve often a valuable weapon and one that is very clearly within the rules.
Moreover, fans should want to see such creativity as much as possible, with the shot potentially having the added benefit of angering the recipient and creating an even better battle.
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When Nick Kyrgios surprised Rafael Nadal with an underarm serve at Wimbledon
One of the biggest proponents of the underarm serve in professional tennis has been Australian icon Nick Kyrgios.
And that is not surprising whatsoever given the bold and at times brash style that he has adopted throughout his roller-coaster career.
Undoubtedly his most famous attempt arrived against legendary figure Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2019, when he was up 40-0 but trailing 2-5 in the opening set of their round of 64 clash.
Much to the delight of the crowd, Kyrgios successfully pulled off the underarm serve to win the game, although he ultimately lost the set and the match.
Nadal produced a wry smile at the time, but was unquestionably fired up and more than ready to exact revenge, which he did shortly after.
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