Understanding how to hit the ball in a given situation to increase your odds of winning points is crucial for tennis players of all ability levels. A solid tennis strategy takes more than just knowing your opponent has a weak backhand. And while specific playing styles such as hitting big groundstrokes or playing a serve-and-volley game will benefit certain individuals more than others, there are several basic tenets that everyone can follow to improve their performance.
Step 1
Hit your first serve in. This serve will be the harder one for your opponent to return, and dominating your serve means dominating your service game. Second serves are easier for your opponent to attack, and forcing yourself to play too many second serves will put you on the defensive. Practice your first serve in your spare time to beef up your first-serve percentage.
Step 2
Use cross-court shots for the bulk of your groundstrokes. This forces your opponent to cover the entire range of the court. The lowest point of the net is in the middle, which means less chance of hitting the net when going cross court as opposed to down the line.
Step 3
Play the ball deep. This pins your opponent at the rear of the court and doesn't allow him a short ball to attack.
Step 4
Make your opponent pay for short balls. Hit them more aggressively and place them down the lines if possible. Consider a short ball to be any ball that lands in the middle of the court depth-wise, or any ball that you have to run up to hit.
Step 5
Come to the net after hitting an aggressive shot on a short ball, or when your opponent appears off-balance at the back of the court. Quality players establish control of the net as often as possible.
Step 6
Hit the ball high and deep when you are in trouble. This usually happens when you are running for a shot that is just within your reach. By hitting the ball high, you allow yourself a few extra seconds to get back into position in the middle of the court to face the return shot.
Step 7
Hit the ball back once more than your opponent. The easiest way to win a point is simply to be consistent. Sometimes, you don't need a spectacular shot. Just give your opponent a chance to make a mistake that will cost him the point.
Member Comments