French tennis player Corentin Moutet defeated Australian Tristan Schoolkate in the first round of the Australian Open using an underarm serve [1, 2].
The match concluded at the Kia Arena in Melbourne, where Moutet utilized the rare serve on match point to secure the win [1]. This tactical choice sparked discussion regarding sportsmanship and strategy in professional tennis.
Moutet won the match with a final score of 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-3 [3]. The use of the underarm serve is often viewed as a surprise tactic to gain a psychological or positional advantage over an opponent who is standing deep behind the baseline [1, 2].
Following the match, Moutet addressed the controversy surrounding the move. "I didn't intend to be disrespectful," Moutet said [4]. He further defended his tactical approach to the game, saying, "I stand by my choice to deploy an underarm serve" [5].
While reports from The Star and other outlets focused on Moutet's victory over Schoolkate, a separate report from the Sydney Morning Herald indicated that Ukrainian player Oleksandra Oliynykova also used an underarm serve to defeat Australian Kim Birrell [2]. This suggests a trend of surprise serves being deployed by international players against Australian opponents during the tournament.
The underarm serve remains a legal but polarizing play in the sport. While some fans and players view it as a clever adjustment, others see it as a slight to the opponent's skill, or the traditions of the game [3].
“"I didn't intend to be disrespectful."”
The use of underarm serves on match point highlights a growing tension between traditional tennis etiquette and modern tactical pragmatism. When players utilize this high-risk strategy to secure a win, it often shifts the narrative from the athletic performance to a debate over the 'spirit of the game,' regardless of the move's legality under official rules.
