SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/tennis-serve-diagonal-box

Where must a serve land to be good?

In the service box diagonally opposite the server.

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  1. Anywhere on the other side
  2. In the box straight across
  3. In the box diagonally opposite ✔

Why: The serve must pass over the net and hit the service court diagonally opposite before the receiver returns it. Serving from the right means aiming at the receiver's right box, crosscourt.

Huh, didn't know that: Once the serve is returned, the rally can land anywhere inside the singles or doubles court.

The dad joke
My serve has one rule: go diagonal. My serve has one problem: it never listens.
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References

Answer: In the box diagonally opposite. The serve must pass over the net and hit the service court diagonally opposite before the receiver returns it. Serving from the right means aiming at the receiver's right box, crosscourt.

  1. ITF 2026 Rules of Tennis, Rule 17 Serving www.itftennis.com/media/7221/2026-rules-of-tennis-english.pdf
    hit the service court diagonally opposite before the receiver returns it
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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Test yourself in the game

Sports & FitnessWhat happens when a server misses both the first and second serve?Sports & FitnessUnder standard ITF rules, a serve clips the net and lands in the correct box. What happens?Sports & FitnessYou miss your first serve, then your second serve is a let. What serve is next?

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