Many players believe the serve is mainly about power.

The faster the serve, the better.

But if you look closely at how top players train, you notice something interesting.

They don’t only train to hit hard.

They train to hit something very small.

Extremely small.

During a recent practice session at Indian Wells, Carlos Alcaraz was seen doing a curious exercise.

He was serving while trying to hit a ball can placed on the court.

Not a big target.

Not a general area.

A can.

A tiny target.

At first glance it looks like a simple game.

In reality, it’s one of the smartest training tools in tennis.

Because in tennis the problem is rarely just technique.

It’s the intention behind the shot.

The problem many players have

When many players serve, their only objective is:

“Get the ball in.”

Or:

“Serve harder.”

But this creates a hidden problem.

The brain doesn’t have a real target.

And when there is no clear target, the motion becomes less precise.

The serve becomes:

  • more random

  • less fluid

  • less aggressive.

What great players do instead

Great players don’t only think about serve mechanics.

They think about exactly where the ball should land.

Not just “in the court.”

But:

  • near the line

  • at the body

  • wide on the angle.

Training with a small target forces the brain to do something crucial:

be precise before being powerful.

A simple exercise you can try

During your next practice session, try this.

Place something small on the court:

  • a bottle

  • a cone

  • a ball can.

Put it where you want the serve to land.

Then try to hit it with your serve.

It doesn’t matter if you actually hit it.

The goal is to train clarity of intention.

Many players discover something surprising.

When the target becomes clearer…

the serve becomes better.

Something many players discover late

Precision in tennis doesn’t come only from muscle control.

It comes from mental clarity.

The brain guides the body.

When the mind has a clear objective, the motion becomes more natural.

That’s why simple exercises – like trying to hit a ball can – can become incredibly powerful.

Even for the world No.1.

by Federico Coppini
Mental Coach & Tennis Coach

Founder – Coppini Tennis Academy

🎾 https://www.coppinitennisacademy.com
🧠 https://www.federicocoppini.com