MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Corentin Moutet achieved a notable first-round victory at the Australian Open on Sunday by employing an underarm serve on match point, ultimately defeating Tristan Schoolkate. The match concluded with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-3 when Schoolkate mishit a forehand return, sending it long. This unconventional tactic drew significant reactions from the crowd at Kia Arena, who booed loudly, but Moutet remained unfazed by the disapproval.
After the match, the No. 32-seeded Moutet shared his thought process, stating that the decision to use an underarm serve was instinctual rather than premeditated. “I did it because I thought it would be… I could win the point,” he expressed, noting that his instinct proved correct. He emphasized that his action was not intended to show any disrespect to his opponent.
The underarm serve, also referred to as the underhand serve, is permissible under tennis rules but is seldom seen at the elite levels of men’s tennis, particularly during critical game points like match point. While the tactic has surfaced in notable matches previously, Moutet's choice certainly caught his Australian opponent off-guard.
Reflecting on his performance, Moutet mentioned that the decision to execute the underarm serve represented what he deemed the better option in that critical moment. At 26 years old, the Frenchman faced challenges during the match, especially in the heat of Melbourne. He requested a medical timeout in the third set due to symptoms that appeared related to a leg issue but later clarified that it was due to a combination of general illness, bodily soreness, and insufficient rest in the days prior.
“We all have some kind of pain every day that we have to deal with,” Moutet remarked, acknowledging the difficulties of maintaining peak performance. He expressed relief at his overall performance, saying, “I’m glad that I did well, you know, proud of myself. It wasn’t easy, obviously, it’s the first match of the year, so it’s always hard.” His experience at major tournaments has previously been modest, with his best finish being a fourth-round appearance at the 2024 French Open and a third-round showing in Australia last year.
If Moutet advances in the tournament and top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz progresses as anticipated, they could face each other in the upcoming third round at Melbourne Park. Moutet conveyed confidence that he could manage and overcome the challenges that affected him during this first-round match when he returns to the court again.
“I really know the most important is to get through it and deal with it in the best way,” he stated, highlighting his determination to move past the difficulties. “And I can leave it behind me.”
