Some tennis enthusiasts whine about the underarm serve, suggesting it’s poor sportsmanship but the truth is it’s clever, creative strategy to surprise and outsmart the opponent. It’s also a risky play because if it’s not hit accurately, the returner gets an easy sitter to rip for a winner.
Boxing like tennis has a similar surprise punch, it’s called the “uppercut.” The uppercut is rarely used because to throw it leaves the fighter wide open for a quick strike counter.
Boxing parlance highly values the effectiveness of the uppercut punch…
THE MOST FEARED PUNCH:
“The Uppercut:
A vicious punch that explodes from below
Lands with brutal precision, crushing jawbone and chin
Shatters confidence and leaves opponents reeling
Requires perfect timing, lightning-quick footwork, and raw power
Can end fights instantly with a single, devastating strike
The most famous uppercut punch in a big fight was when Buster Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson with an uppercut in Tokyo, Japan in 1990 to win the World Heavyweight Championship. The HBO broadcast featured Sugar Ray Leonard who memorably spotted the precise punch Douglas used to topple Tyson, “Oh, the uppercut!”
Several top ATP and WTA pros utilize the underarm serve, like Alexander Bublik, Marta Kostyuk, Nick Kyrgios but the most memorable usage of the uppercut happened in Newport at the Hall of Fame Championships in the summer of 2023. Corentin Moutet used underarm serves two points in a row on Eliot Spizzirri and aced him both times! Two easy free points were won by the underarm serve.
Correction. The most famous underarm serve was by Michael Chang at the French Open vs. Ivan Lendl 1989 the year Chang won the title. Chang said in his book the idea to try it vs. Lendl while down break point in the fifth set was totally spontaneous. It’s widely believed Chang’s underarm serve vs. Lendl was a major contributory factor in his shock win of the French title at age 17.
So next time you hear complaining about underarm serves, remember it’s not much different than the uppercut punch in boxing and it can be just as rewarding for the player smart enough to execute it properly.
Alexander Bublik · Buster Douglas · Corentin Moutet · Mike Tyson · Nick Kyrgios
Scoop Malinowski · May 9, 2025 at 10:13 am
Needless to say, Moutet beat Spizzirri in straight sets in Newport.
Steve · May 10, 2025 at 5:30 am
I love it along with drop shots. I think Bublik does it best.
Due to some carpal tunnel I had to serve underhanded. To my surprise I won two out of three sets this way while once holding at love. I was a little shocked to discover even pretty good park players can find it hard to attack and send balls long.
Scoop Malinowski · May 10, 2025 at 7:45 am
Steve, that’s great, I have yet to win a point with an UA serve, but have only tried it like twice, never in a real league or tournament match. I played a kid last year who was serving badly and started losing and then went all UA serves and won the game, his first game of the match. It’s a tough weapon especially one guy at Packanack who has a big serve deep in the boxes to force you far back and then he smartly sneaks in the UA serve and it’s really hard to play. Moutet has to be considered the best, two UA aces in a row is amazing )