Sacar vs. servir
While both servir and sacar can describe the action of putting a ball into play in sports like tennis, volleyball, or table tennis, the primary difference depends on the region. Sacar is the standard term in Brazilian Portuguese, while servir is predominantly used in European Portuguese.
Sacar
B1This is the most common verb in Brazil for starting a point in a game. While sacar can mean to withdraw money or pull something out in general contexts, in sports it specifically means to serve.
É a vez do atleta brasileiro sacar.
(It is the Brazilian athlete's turn to serve.)
Ela precisa sacar com mais força se quiser ganhar.
(She needs to serve with more power if she wants to win.)
O jogador de vôlei foi para a linha de fundo para sacar.
(The volleyball player went to the back line to serve.)
Ele aprendeu a sacar com efeito na aula de tênis.
(He learned to serve with spin during the tennis lesson.)
Ninguém consegue sacar tão rápido quanto ele.
(No one can serve as fast as him.)
Servir
A2In Portugal, this is the standard term used in sports to start the game. In Brazil, servir is almost exclusively used for serving food, helping someone, or fitting in clothes, rather than for the sports action.
Quem vai servir no próximo jogo?
(Who is going to serve in the next game?)
O tenista preparou-se para servir a bola.
(The tennis player got ready to serve the ball.)
Tu tens de servir para o quadrado oposto.
(You have to serve into the opposite box.)
Ele falhou ao servir duas vezes seguidas.
(He failed while serving two times in a row.)
No ténis de mesa, deves servir com a mão aberta.
(In table tennis, you must serve with an open hand.)
Summary
To choose the correct word, you must know your audience. If you are speaking with Brazilians, use sacar for sports usage. If you are speaking with Portuguese people, use servir.