Played the fast shot and it was good enough (6)

I believe the answer is:

served

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'played' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to competing as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for served that I've seen before include "In tennis, put the ball in play, or attended to customers" , "Waited upon" , "Started a game of tennis" , "Dished up" , "In tennis, smacked ball into play (6)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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