Tennis is unlike most other major sports in that you can warm up alongside your opponent and not by yourself, or only with your team. It is this unique advantage that allows you to prepare not only physically, but strategically. These are the three match strategies that can be used based upon what you learned in the prematch hit-around.
You just need to keep the ball in play longer than your opponent – First, keep the ball in play for longer than your opponent. Consider this: Suppose your opponent starts spraying the ball all over, and you are very inconsistent. Once you discover that there are more ball in play, you will instantly have your first game plan. Tennis scoring is unique to almost all other sports. Can you see how much basketball would change if missing the free throw led to the opposing team scoring more points? Imagine kicking or missing a field goal on football giving the opposing team three points. We can all agree on the fact that these situations would alter each sports strategy. In tennis, it is the same. It doesn’t matter whether your opponent wins or loses, the point system is exactly the same. If you feel that playing safe is winning the game, and your opponent makes mistakes all the time, keep your ball in play, and see how your opponent wins.
Grab Your Opponent’s Obvious Illness Consider this: Suppose you notice that your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses are apparent during warmup. Simple strategies such as “keep the game in play” will not be as effective as those used against other inconsistent opponents. You will now need to place the opponent in their least favourite position as much as you can. How do you find out what this is? For starters, pay attention to what they do well in warm up. People tend to prefer their forehand over their backhand. It’s usually a sign they don’t like hitting backhands that you try to send a ball towards someone’s forehand. Do your best during matches to return, serve, rally, approach, and volley their weakest backhand as often as possible. Let’s suppose you try to get them to warm up, but they hit only two or three, then miss the rest and move on to practicing serves. It’s very normal and may indicate that they dislike being at the net. To get your opponent off their baseline (where they feel the most secure) and onto the net, you can make them dropshot after dropped shot. Your opponent will be frustrated by this strategy because they want to make the best shot possible, but you won’t allow them.
Use the angles and dimensions of your court to determine how you should work. The third person is your opponent. You notice their consistency and lack of obvious flaws. You’ll have to be able to play a wide variety of tennis shots and use tennis strategy. You must first make sure you return your serve and serves at a high rate. Then, you should attack any short balls. Next, aim to strike your approach shots towards the opponent’s side. Then move on and prepare to angle your volley to the opposing side. Do everything possible to get the ball down to your opponent’s feet if they approach the net. People hate low volleys so you may get a short one that they will love to play. Last, you should be ready mentally for ups and downs. You can win every match, even if it isn’t over. Keep your eyes open and keep your strategies evolving.
When you are next on the court, do more than just get your feet moving. Get your strategy mindset ready. Pay attention to your opponent’s clues and you will learn how they play. You should try it. You’d be surprised at how much more you win.