Corentin Moutet defeated Australian Tristan Schoolkate on Sunday to advance to the second round of the Australian Open [1].
The victory is notable for Moutet's use of an underarm serve on match point, a tactical choice that often draws mixed reactions from crowds and opponents.
The match took place at the Kia Arena in Melbourne, where Moutet secured the win with a final score of 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-3 [1]. The match reached its conclusion when Moutet sliced in an underarm serve on match point [1].
Underarm serves are legal within the rules of tennis but are frequently viewed as unconventional or provocative. The move at the Kia Arena triggered a response from the spectators, including audible boos from the crowd [3].
Moutet addressed the controversy surrounding the serve and the crowd's reaction following the match. "I didn't intend to be disrespectful," Moutet said [3].
By utilizing the shot to secure the final point, Moutet effectively neutralized Schoolkate's positioning and sealed the first-round victory [1]. The result ensures the Frenchman continues his run in the tournament while Schoolkate is eliminated from the competition [1].
“Moutet sliced in an underarm serve on match point.”
The use of the underarm serve on a match point highlights a growing trend of tactical disruption in professional tennis. While often criticized as a breach of etiquette, the shot is increasingly used by players to unsettle opponents who stand deep behind the baseline, shifting the psychological dynamic of a high-stakes point.
