Imagine facing the world's top-ranked tennis player, knowing you might pull out an unexpected underarm serve at any moment. That's the situation Corentin Moutet is relishing as he prepares to face Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open. But is the underarm serve a legitimate tactic, or a disrespectful move?
Corentin Moutet, the unpredictable 26-year-old French tennis star, is known for his captivating and unorthodox left-handed game. This Friday in Melbourne, he's set to clash with the world's number one, Carlos Alcaraz, in a highly anticipated third-round match at the Australian Open. This marks their first-ever meeting on the ATP Tour, adding another layer of intrigue to the contest.
Moutet's flair was already on full display earlier this week. In his first-round match against Tristan Schoolkate, he sealed the victory with his signature underarm serve. "I’m quite happy about the one I did on match point because I surprised myself doing it,” Moutet told ATPTour.com. "I didn’t think about it, [my opponent] was quite close to the baseline, and I still did it.”
Now, underarm serves are... controversial. They've sparked heated debates in the tennis world. Some see them as a clever strategic play, while others view them as unsportsmanlike. But here's where it gets controversial... Moutet, who famously unleashed six underarm serves in a single match in Mallorca last June, has a clear stance on the matter. He believes the context is everything.
"If you do it to provoke the crowd, that’s different. For myself, I do it when I think I can win the point," he explains. "I’m here on the court to win every point, so I will never do something just for fun. That’s not who I am. I respect all my opponents, and I respect the crowd of course even when they are against me, because they bring a great energy and they are here to support someone." Moutet emphasizes that his intention is never to disrespect his opponent or the fans.
And this is the part most people miss... Moutet goes on to suggest that the increasing popularity of the underarm serve might change perceptions. "Maybe it’s going to change because we are seeing more and more players doing it, because it is efficient and it is working," he says. "From my side, I never do it to disrespect anyone. So as long as it works, I am going to keep doing it… I think it saved me a few times. [Like] against Daniil [Medvedev] in Washington last year.” This implies that as the tactic becomes more commonplace and its effectiveness is proven, the negative stigma surrounding it may diminish.
Moutet, currently ranked No. 37, is building on a strong 2025 season where he secured 33 tour-level wins. He acknowledges the challenge Alcaraz presents. "I never practised with him and never played against him, so it will be a surprise, I think, even for him," he says. "I’m trying not to overthink how it will be. I’m just going to come on the court with my game style, with all the work we did with my team to be ready for these matches. I feel healthy."
"Let’s see, but for sure it’s going to be fun. Nice points, I guess. He is very physical and talented as well, so it’s going to be interesting. Let’s see how I can deal with it." Moutet anticipates an exciting match filled with dynamic rallies, given Alcaraz's renowned athleticism and skill.
To secure a victory, Moutet will need to achieve his third win against a Top 10 player. In the previous season, he triumphed over Holger Rune (then ranked No. 10) and Taylor Fritz (then ranked No. 4) at the Queen's Club. However, he recognizes that facing Alcaraz, who is aiming to complete his Career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open, is a significant step up.
"He’s a very nice guy and a great player," Moutet says of Alcaraz. "One of the best, I think along with Jannik [Sinner]. They are the two best players at the moment. I’ve really wanted to play against him because I want to see the highest level on the Tour. I’m working hard to reach this level, so it’s always interesting to see what’s going on there and how they play. So I’m curious and very happy to play against him.”
So, what do you think? Is the underarm serve a legitimate strategy, or does it cross the line into disrespect? And can Moutet's unpredictable style and willingness to use every tool at his disposal give him an edge against the world's best? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
