Tennis Player’s Baffling Underhand Serve Backfired, Helped Cost Him Match at Wimbledon

Fifth set tiebreaker at Wimbledon seems like a good time to get a little crazy, right?

That’s what Alejando Davidovich Fokina thought when he elected to try an underhanded serve against Denmark’s Holger Rune in Saturday’s third-round match in London.

With the fifth set tiebreaker all square at 8–8, Davidovich Fokina’s underhand serve was smashed in a return by Rune, which set up a match point. Rune would take the tiebreak 10–8 and ultimately advance to the Round of 16, 6–3, 4–6, 3–6, 6–4, 7–6 (10–8).

Here’s the video of the baffling decision by Davidovich Fokina.

8-8 in the tiebreaker.

Who expected Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to do an underarm serve? 😯#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/2ki8QOqkXz

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2023

It’s not the first time that Davidovich Fokina has used the underhand serve under pressure. He’s tried it once before in a 2020 U.S. Open match against No. 24 Hubert Hurkacz. Davidovich Fokina actually won the first set in his match using the tactic.

Underhand serve on set point?!

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Mohx0X8JNn

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2020

“I was not expecting for sure that was going to come,” Rune said after the match. “Actually, it was nice because he was serving unbelievable. But again, I was not expecting it, so I had to be fast with my feet. But wow, what a match! It was unbelievable. It’s one of the most fun matches I’ve ever played.”

Davidovich Fokina’s gamble did not pay off, and now Rune will advance and keep his tournament alive.