Do you pronate on every serve?

Yes. The flat, slice and kick serves all use forearm pronation. What changes is the direction of the swing and where you brush the ball, not whether the forearm rotates.

Why does my serve feel like a push?

Often it is a forehand grip with no pronation, so the racquet face is square from the start and you push the ball. Switching to a continental grip lets the racquet accelerate and turn through the ball.

How to Pronate on Your Tennis Serve

3 video lessons

The forearm rotation behind effortless serve power.

Quick answer & tips ▾

Pronation is the natural inward rotation of the forearm as the racquet swings up to the ball and through contact on the serve. It turns the racquet from an edge-on position into a square face at contact, and it is a big part of where easy racquet-head speed comes from.

You need a continental grip for pronation to happen. With a forehand grip the face is already square, so the forearm has nothing to rotate. Practice by leading with the edge of the racquet on the way up and letting the forearm rotate through contact, without forcing the wrist.

Key tips

Use a continental grip so the forearm can rotate.
Swing up edge-first, then let the face turn to the ball.
Keep the arm loose; pronation happens, you do not force it.
Shadow swing slowly before hitting balls.

FAQ

Do you pronate on every serve?: Yes. The flat, slice and kick serves all use forearm pronation. What changes is the direction of the swing and where you brush the ball, not whether the forearm rotates.
Why does my serve feel like a push?: Often it is a forehand grip with no pronation, so the racquet face is square from the start and you push the ball. Switching to a continental grip lets the racquet accelerate and turn through the ball.