Serving to Weakness

Definition

Serving to weakness is a straightforward tactic: identify an opponent's weakness (poor backhand return, slow lateral movement, weak second-serve return) and target it repeatedly. This creates patterns, forces errors, and demoralizes opponents. Weaknesses are often structural (inherent to technique or athleticism) and difficult to fix mid-match. Serving to weakness also forces a returner to hit their weaker shot—a high-percentage strategy. Coaches often recommend: 'Find their weakness, then pound it consistently.'

Origin: Basic competitive strategy; applicable across sports.