The purpose of this research was to determine the differences in parameters of situational efficiency of service returns between tennis players who won and lost matches at the 2014 Australian Open. For many years, focus was made on developing the service and winning service gems, while the Just mentioned fact quite naturally also initiated enhancing the return of service and the evolution of specific trainings for such improvements. Consequently, the return of service is nowadays becoming an increasingly important part of tennis, as in addition to winning one`s service. It is also extremely important to breakthe opponent`s service. Thus, precisely forthis reason, the subject of this study is the return of service and its effect on a tennis match. For the purpose of this research, secondary data was used. i.e. the available statistical indicators for the first three sets of singles men`s tennis matches played during the 2014 Australian Open tournament. Central and dispersive statistical indicators were calculated for all the variables - arithmetic mean, standard deviation, minimal value and maximal value, whereas the t-test for independent samples was used in order to calculate the differences of situational efficiency between the tennis players who won and lost the matches. The results of this research demonstrated statistically significant differences in variables of total return points won, total first service return points won and total second service return points won. It can be observed that the players who were winning had a higher number of totd return points won, as well as the total first and second service return points won in all sets, all on a level of p£0.05. In addition, a statistically significant difference was also observed for the variable of total return winners, where the players who won the matches also demonstrated better results. Likewise, statistically significant differences on a level ofps0.05 also appeared for the variable of totd return points and total first and second service return points. All these variables showed an advantage in favour of the winners. Upon summarizing the obtained results and attempting to produce final conclusions, one can determine the following; in all three sets, the winning players showed a higher number of winners after the service return, as well as the total first and second service return points won. In addition, in the second set and at the same level of significance, the winners had a higher numberoftotalflrst and second service return points. All the abovestated statistically significant indicators point tothe conclusion that players who won the matches had better control of their opponents` service, and as a result of that, they won more return points, which in most cases ultimately resulted by winning the match. These results further emphasize the importance of quality training and preparations for service returns, as the results indicate that the mentioned factor can have a direct impact on the overall result of a tennis match.
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