Serve Return Simplified
 
 
There are 2 primary ways to read the spin – watch the racket and watch the bounce.  The pitfall that devastates most beginner/intermediate players is the timing.  When they don’t know the spin, they panic and trap the ball too quickly.  The correct move is to wait.  Wait.  If you couldn’t tell the spin from the contact point when your opponent touched the ball, then wait.  Let the ball rise, then even drop a bit before returning it. 
How does that make the return easier?  There are 5 ways…
 
 

 
 
 
If you win the toss, which do you choose?  Serve or Receive?
 
This article starts off seemingly insignificant but concludes with the main point.  You must read the full article to understand the thought process…