Underarm Serves Phenomenon: Moutet Propels Mallorca Victory Over Altmaier with Unconventional SixServes
A French maverick, Corentin Moutet, sent shockwaves through the tennis world on Wednesday at the Mallorca Open. Staying true to his audacious serving style, this unorthodox tennis savant unleashed six underarm serves, propelling him to a victorious second-round face-off against Germany's Daniel Altmaier.
Moutet, a bold individual who's unfazed by treading unconventional paths in tennis, managed to win three and lose three of the points where he employed the daring tactic. With scores of 7-6(3) 7-6(3), he clinched the match in style, paving the way for his next challenge.
In the quarter-finals tomorrow, he'll once again brandish his underarm servacs against American Learner Tien. A remarkable upset against top seed Ben Shelton marked Tien's ticket to this thrilling encounter, as he rallied back from a 4-1 deficit in the second set to oust his compatriot.
The day prior, Australian qualifier Bernard Tomic, who recently secured his first Tour-level win since 2021, saw his remarkable run come to an end, dismissed 6-3 6-3 by Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.
On analyzing the style of Corentin Moutet, his game is marked by an unconventional grip and motion in his serving technique[1], which sets him apart from most professionals. Adapting his grip, especially when hitting forehand slices, is a distinctive feature that likely extends to his serving style as well[1].
Moutet's curious serving technique allows him to execute a wide range of spins and placements, keeping opponents guessing and making his serve less predictable[2]. His capacity to vary serve types, from flat, slice, to kick serves, adds an element of surprise and strategic advantage during matches[2]. Consequently, this mix-up in serve style contributes to his success on the court, as seen in prestigious tournaments like Roland Garros[5].
Corentin Moutet will showcase his unconventional underarm serves again in the quarter-finals, facing American Learner Tien. Due to Moutet's adaptable grip and unconventional motion, his serves can vary in spin and placement, adding an element of surprise and strategic advantage in his matches, as exhibited in prestigious tournaments such as Roland Garros.
