Imagine a tennis player pulling off a move so unexpected, it leaves the crowd in stunned silence—or, in this case, booing disbelief. That’s exactly what happened when Corentin Moutet unleashed an underarm serve on match point at the Australian Open, sealing his first-round victory in a way that’s as bold as it is controversial. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was it a stroke of genius or a questionable tactic? Let’s dive into the details.
On a scorching Sunday at Kia Arena in Melbourne, the No. 32-seeded Moutet faced Australia’s Tristan Schoolkate in a match that would test both his skill and his endurance. With the score at match point, Moutet opted for an underarm serve—a move rarely seen at the highest levels of men’s tennis, especially in such a critical moment. Schoolkate’s forehand return sailed long, handing Moutet the 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-3 win. The crowd’s reaction? Loud boos. But Moutet stood his ground, later explaining, ‘I did what I needed to do to win the point. No disrespect intended.’
And this is the part most people miss: The underarm serve, while within the rules, is often viewed as unconventional or even unsportsmanlike. Yet, Moutet insists it was an instinctive decision rather than a premeditated strategy. ‘I thought it was the best option in that moment,’ he said. But is it fair play or a tactical loophole? That’s a debate for tennis fans to hash out.
Moutet’s journey to this victory wasn’t without challenges. The 26-year-old Frenchman battled through heat-related discomfort and even took a medical timeout in the third set for what appeared to be a leg issue. However, he later clarified it was a ‘global’ issue—a combination of sickness, soreness, and lack of quality sleep. ‘We all deal with some kind of pain every day,’ he reflected. ‘I just tried to handle it the best way I could.’
Despite the hurdles, Moutet expressed pride in his performance, especially given it was his first match of the season. His best Grand Slam result to date was a fourth-round appearance at the 2024 French Open, and he’s aiming to surpass his third-round finish from last year’s Australian Open. If he advances to the next round and top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz does the same, the two could face off in a highly anticipated third-round clash at Melbourne Park.
When asked about his readiness for future matches, Moutet was confident. ‘The most important thing is to get through it and leave the challenges behind,’ he said. But the question remains: Will his underarm serve become a signature move, or will it remain a one-time gamble? What do you think? Is the underarm serve a clever tactic or a step too far? Let us know in the comments—this is one tennis debate you won’t want to miss!
