SERVICE.
Having practised the ground strokes till the swing feels easy, the beginner should go on the court with a number of balls. Standing sideways to the net, behind the baseline, she should make a half circle back, with arm and racket extended, bringing the racket up over the head. Here the racket is dropped behind the head and swung in a small circle from left to right—much as an Indian club is swung—then up and out in the follow through. The ball is tossed high in the air and struck as the racket reaches the top of its swing. Then the racket follows out with the ball just as far as possible, as in the ground strokes. The various cut services depend on the way the face of the racket meets the ball, how it cuts around or over the ball. It is best, however, for the beginner to practise a straight service until she is well grounded in the fundamentals. Meanwhile she should try to place the serve not only in the correct court but also in some definite part of that court. A well-placed service will prove as effective as any fancy serve for ordinary play.
Remember these points while practising: get a full swing, hit the ball at the highest point possible, and follow through as in the drive, here, too, getting the weight of the body into the stroke.