Tomokazu Harimoto's serve

[chandyrandy]

Hey all,
I've always found Tomo's serve to be super unique and one which i'd want to learn, refering to this one specifically: Tomo's serve
(also seen below)

He uses the playing grip over the typical serving grip and also seems to kinda mash togeather a tomo(haha)hawk which snaps into a pendulum.
I've always been terribly inconsistent with the serving grip and use the playing grip for a straight serve which i can only put quality backspin on (making me pretty one dimensional), this serve looks like a huge step up so i'd love to learn it but no one talks about it!

I'd love to hear your feedback! (If everyone else is as interested as i am about this serve ill do some analysis!)

 

[TensorBackhand]

I kinda do the same type of grip and serve, and I think for me I do it because I don't have enough grip strength and need the extra grip just to hold the paddle and chop hard on it.

I think Harimoto probably does the same for the same reason, as he just had this habit while he was dominating as a youngster. I think any coach would recommend not holding it this way, because you get less range of motion.

Apart from the grip, it just seems like a standard heavy underspin serve. So I'm not sure if its all that special of a serve.

 

[chandyrandy]

I kinda do the same type of grip and serve, and I think for me I do it because I don't have enough grip strength and need the extra grip just to hold the paddle and chop hard on it.

I think Harimoto probably does the same for the same reason, as he just had this habit while he was dominating as a youngster. I think any coach would recommend not holding it this way, because you get less range of motion.

Apart from the grip, it just seems like a standard heavy underspin serve. So I'm not sure if its all that special of a serve.

So you reckon it's just habitual from a kid and probably wouldn't be the best to learn, that makes sense seeing as he's played since a very young age lol.

It may not be that special as a heavy under serve but I'd then argue that no serve is really that special based off it's spin.
I think he's setup and motion being so unique makes it special especially among the elite pro scene.

 

[blahness]

Samsonov had a similar movement on his FH pendulum too.

It is not just heavy underspin/no spin, he also does sideunder/sidetop with this too.

Tbh from his start position, he could easily incorporate a tomahawk or hook serve movement. But he doesn't do that and imo it is a huge thing missing from his game - with the addition of the hook serve it can make receiving even more of a nightmare for his opponents. Idk why but Harimoto shies away from variation in his games for some reason.

I also do this (start with tomahawk/hook and then do the pendulum at the end, but I also change my grip halfway for more wrist movement (not too sure if Harimoto does this too). But I mainly serve hook at this point because most opponents are eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pendulum is just for variation and to keep them on their toes.

 

[chandyrandy]

Samsonov had a similar movement on his FH pendulum too.

It is not just heavy underspin/no spin, he also does sideunder/sidetop with this too.

Tbh from his start position, he could easily incorporate a tomahawk or hook serve movement. But he doesn't do that and imo it is a huge thing missing from his game - with the addition of the hook serve it can make receiving even more of a nightmare for his opponents. Idk why but Harimoto shies away from variation in his games for some reason.

I also do this (start with tomahawk/hook and then do the pendulum at the end, but I also change my grip halfway for more wrist movement (not too sure if Harimoto does this too). But I mainly serve hook at this point because most opponents are eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pendulum is just for variation and to keep them on their toes.

I'll definitely take a look at samsonovs serve!
I totally agree on incorporating a hook serve into his game, it would definitely help against lefties like wcq and add variation!

 

[blahness]

I'll definitely take a look at samsonovs serve!
I totally agree on incorporating a hook serve into his game, it would definitely help against lefties like wcq and add variation!

Yeah, for eg Miwa has been using it super successfully (serving both hook and pendulum from the same service preparation movement).

But Tomo doesn't play with a lot of imagination or variation for some reason. He is just obsessed about being a blocking and topspin countering machine at this point. Idk why he became like that....

At this point I prefer watching Miwa than Tomo lol.

 

[chandyrandy]

Samsonov had a similar movement on his FH pendulum too.

It is not just heavy underspin/no spin, he also does sideunder/sidetop with this too.

Tbh from his start position, he could easily incorporate a tomahawk or hook serve movement. But he doesn't do that and imo it is a huge thing missing from his game - with the addition of the hook serve it can make receiving even more of a nightmare for his opponents. Idk why but Harimoto shies away from variation in his games for some reason.

I also do this (start with tomahawk/hook and then do the pendulum at the end, but I also change my grip halfway for more wrist movement (not too sure if Harimoto does this too). But I mainly serve hook at this point because most opponents are eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pendulum is just for variation and to keep them on their toes.

Yeah, for eg Miwa has been using it super successfully (serving both hook and pendulum from the same service preparation movement).

But Tomo doesn't play with a lot of imagination or variation for some reason. He is just obsessed about being a blocking and topspin countering machine at this point. Idk why he became like that....

At this point I prefer watching Miwa than Tomo lol.

Yea Mia had a great showing Chennai, she's really fun to watch.
Kinda crazy how good tomos ceiling is tho for having such little variation