Dominating Tennis

What is a kick serve in tennis?

It's the most common second serve at higher levels because the spin gives it net clearance and a safe drop. The toss is further over the head and the racquet brushes up and across the back of the ball.

Sampras's serve, instant 1 of 8
TRACED · SAMPRAS'S SERVE
Sampras's serve: eight instants traced from the footage, frame for frame. Hover or tap to flip.

Questions

Why use a kick serve as a second serve?

The spin lets you swing fast and still land it, and the high bounce pushes the returner back.