Tim Henman wants major serving rule change after Naomi Osaka’s US Open drama: “It might actually take away some of the pain”

Saturday, 05 September 2026 at 00:30

Tim Henman holds a microphone during the Laver Cup.

Tim Henman has called for a radical change to tennis' serving rules after Naomi Osaka's dramatic US Open victory over Katerina Siniakova, suggesting players should have only one opportunity to throw the ball up before they are required to hit the serve.

Osaka advanced to the third round in New York after surviving a scare against Siniakova, winning 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. The four-time Grand Slam champion struggled with her serve during the second set before recovering to dominate the decider and keep her US Open campaign alive.

Her serving issues prompted a wider discussion from Henman, who questioned whether players should be allowed to repeatedly abandon their toss when they are unhappy with it. The former world No. 4 believes the rule could be simplified without removing the second serve.

Speaking on Sky Sports Tennis, Henman also questioned whether tennis should eliminate the let serve, which allows a player to retake a serve when the ball clips the net but lands in the correct service box.

Henman proposes major change to serving rules

Henman first raised the possibility of removing the let before turning to the more significant proposal concerning the ball toss. “You wonder, it’s another rule that we probably discuss, whether you get rid of the let serve when the serve clips the top of the net.”

The former British No. 1 then suggested that players should be required to hit the ball once they have committed to their toss, rather than being able to restart the serving motion.

“And whether you should only have one opportunity of throwing the ball up. If you throw the ball up, you’ve got to hit it. Well, you just wonder whether it might actually take away some of the pain.”

Under Henman's proposal, players would still have a second serve if they faulted on their first attempt. The change would simply mean that once the ball has been thrown, the player has to make an attempt.

Tim Henman offering his thoughts as a pundit at the Laver Cup

‘If you throw the ball up, you’ve got to hit it’

The proposal would remove one of the small but frequent interruptions in tennis, particularly when players repeatedly catch their toss because they are unhappy with its position.

Henman clarified that he would not eliminate the second serve, but believes players should have only one opportunity to begin the serving motion.

“You’ve only got one chance, so here it goes," Henman added. "I wouldn’t say that you’re not allowed a second serve, but if you throw the ball up, you’ve got to hit it. If you miss the first serve, then you’ve got the second serve.”

Osaka continues to advance

The Japanese star survived a tough clash against Karolina Siniakova in the second round, eventually prevailing in three sets, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. The former world No. 1 had already faced a difficult first-round match against surprise qualifier Ekaterina Zakharyova, who pushed her to two tie-breaks before Osaka eventually prevailed.

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It has been a challenging week for the Japanese star, who is defending a semifinal appearance from last year — and a total of 800 WTA ranking points. So far, things have gone well, with Osaka arriving in New York full of confidence after strong runs at the DC Open, where she reached the semifinals, and the Canadian Open, where she made the quarterfinals before falling to Elena Rybakina in three tight sets.

Her next challenge will be 23rd seed Elise Mertens. It will be their 10th meeting, with Osaka leading the head-to-head 6-3, including two wins this season. The most recent came just a few weeks ago at the Canadian Open, where Osaka cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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