Tennis tactics involve strategic decisions and plans made by players to gain an advantage over their opponents during a match. These tactics can vary depending on the players’ strengths and weaknesses, the surface of the court, and the specific situation within a match. Here are some common tennis tactics:
Tactic 1 – The V Play
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Executing a wide serve to induce lateral movement is a strategic move that capitalises on court geometry to exploit angles and dictate play. By targeting the outer edges of the service box, you force your opponent to move quickly and cover a greater distance. This lateral movement creates an opening on the opposite side of the court, allowing you to exploit the space with a well calculated second shot.
The wide serve not only stretches your opponent but also sets the stage for your next move. As your opponent scrambles to reach the ball, their positioning is compromised, creating an opportunity for you to capitalise on the opening. The calculated second shot should take advantage of the space created by the wide serve, aiming to place the ball strategically where your opponent is less likely to reach it effectively.
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Exploiting angles becomes a key element in this tactical approach. By understanding the geometry of the court, you can use the wide serve to open up acute angles for your second shot. This not only puts your opponent on the defensive but also allows you to dictate the direction and pace of the rally. The goal is to control the point from the outset, putting pressure on your opponent and setting the tone for the match. You can also do the same with an angled groundstroke. With this shot, your aim is to have the ball cross the tramline before it crosses the baseline. Do so successfully, and you will create the space required to finish the point with your next shot.
In essence, the wide serve/angled groundstroke, followed by a calculated second shot is a strategic combination that leverages court geometry to your advantage. By exploiting angles and using good lateral movement, you gain control of the point, dictating play and keeping your opponent on the defensive. This tactical approach showcases the importance of not just hitting the ball over the net but strategically positioning it to control the dynamics of the point.
Tactic 2 – Earn the Short/Weak Ball
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Earning a short ball in tennis involves strategic play to push your opponent into a defensive position, providing you with an opportunity to take control of the point. Start by hitting deep and powerful groundstrokes, pushing your opponent away from the baseline and increasing the likelihood of receiving a shorter and more attackable return.
Incorporating changes in pace and spin, such as slices or drop shots, can disrupt your opponent’s rhythm and force shorter, weaker responses. Effective approach shots and net play, particularly after hitting deep groundstrokes, apply pressure that can lead to weaker balls for you to capitalise on with volleys or overheads.
Additionally, strategically target your opponent’s weaknesses and position yourself optimally on the court to intercept and attack shorter balls. Employing serve and volley tactics, especially on the first serve, further pressures your opponent into producing shorter returns. By combining these tactics and adjusting your game based on your opponent’s vulnerabilities, you can increase your chances of earning short balls, allowing you to assert control and apply aggressive shot-making to your advantage.
Tactic 3 – Serve and Volley
Successfully executing the serve and volley strategy in tennis requires a combination of precise serving, good transitions to the net, and effective volleying. Begin with a powerful and accurate serve, varying placement and spin to keep your opponent guessing. Immediately follow up with a quick transition to the net, cutting off potential angles for their return.
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When at the net, focus on hitting low and angled volleys, incorporating the back spin and slice for control, especially against lower balls. Sometimes you will have the opportunity to conclude the point with the first volley with weaker return of serve; however, it’s essential to recognise that this won’t always be the case. Therefore, be smart with your first volley and be prepared to play more shots at the net if necessary. Patience is always key.
Look to be assertive with your first serve, allowing yourself additional time to advance towards the net and prepare for a straightforward first volley. It’s important to note that being aggressive doesn’t solely rely on power; precision in the placement of your serve can disrupt your opponent’s balance too. Consider incorporating the body serve intermittently for added variety and strategic advantage.
Maximise your proximity to the net after the serve for an advantageous position. However, it’s crucial to halt and execute a split step just before your opponent strikes the ball, precisely at the point of contact. This pause allows you to set up your feet optimally, significantly increasing your chances of executing a successful volley. Refrain from hasty movements and rushing in when playing the first shot after the serve, emphasizing a controlled and strategic approach.
Tactic 4 – Take it Early
Mastering the art of taking the ball early and on the rise is a strategic skill that can elevate your gameplay. It is often what separates intermediate players, from advanced and elite players. Positioning is key—stand inside or near the baseline to set yourself up for an early ball contact point.
The first part is to read your opponents shot as early as possible. Try to predict the spin, the placement and the pace of the ball. For more advanced players, take it one step further by anticipating these characteristics before they have even struck the ball, and then perform a split step as they make contact.
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A shortened backswing becomes crucial for a more compact stroke, reducing the time between the ball bounce and your hit. This also increases the chances of better timing on the shot. React with a quick first step towards the ball, closing the gap swiftly to make contact on the rise. Maintaining balance is key to executing a controlled and accurate stroke, especially given the potential for off balance positions with early ball contact. Keep your head very still throughout to maintain balance.
Also, capitalise on your opponent’s pace, absorbing and redirecting it with your well timed hit. Maintaining good contact to the side and out in front of your body, helps keep the pace of the incoming ball.
Vary your shot selection to keep your opponent guessing, and consistently practice this technique to enhance your timing and coordination. Adapt your approach based on the playing surface and external conditions to make the most of taking the ball early. By incorporating these elements into your game, you can disrupt your opponent’s rhythm, gain more control in point play, and establish a more versatile playing style on the tennis court.
Tactic 5 – Wrong Footer
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Wrong footing in tennis is a tactic that forces unpredictability into a player’s shot selection by directing shots behind the opponent. This strategy aims to disrupt the opponent’s anticipation, capitalising on their commitment to a particular direction. By choosing moments to surprise with shots placed opposite to the opponent’s movement, players create a dilemma for their adversaries. The success of the wrong footing technique relies on sharp decision making, requiring players to read their opponent’s positioning and choose the opportune moment to execute this unexpected move.
This tactic becomes more effective when you see that your opponent has a considerable distance to cover after playing their shot. In such instances, where they strive for an explosive return to the centre of the baseline, it creates an opportune moment to execute a shot in the same direction, catching them off guard as they adjust their positioning.
Try not to overuse this tactic as it is often a high risk shot. Playing into the larger space is always the percentage play, and with the wrong footer, this is often not the case.
Tactic 6 – Approach Play
In tennis, the approach shot involves strategically advancing to the net following a well-placed shot, laying the foundation for an efficient volley. An adept approach shot not only places the opponent on the defensive but also sets the stage for a decisive move towards the net. By choosing the right moment and employing precise shot placement, players can capitalise on their opponent’s limited time to respond.
As they approach the net, players showcase their net presence and aggressive court positioning, putting pressure on the opponent to execute a challenging passing shot. This tactical combination of a well-executed approach shot and a poised net approach demonstrates a player’s ability to transition seamlessly between baseline play and net play, adding versatility and depth to their overall game.
Tactic 7 – Trade Deep
In tennis, keeping the ball deep involves opting for baseline exchanges with deep, trading shots, strategically forcing errors from the opponent. By consistently sending the ball deep into the opponent’s court, players create pressure, limiting the opponent’s options and setting the stage for offensive opportunities. A strategic choice is often to place shots down the middle, balancing safety with the potential to exploit weaknesses. Hitting down the middle also reduces the chance of angled returns from your opponent.
This tactic denies the opponent angles and time to recover, making it more challenging for them to launch effective counterattacks. By mastering the art of deep and precise baseline play, players can control the rhythm of the rally, capitalise on opponent errors, and open up opportunities for offensive manoeuvres when the moment is right.
Tactic 8 – Target the Weakness
The last tactic we are going to mention, involves identifying and exploiting the opponent’s vulnerabilities by directing your shots towards their weaker areas. This tactic aims to gain an advantage by targeting the opponent’s weaknesses (usually the backhand) and gain a competitive edge in the match.
By keenly observing the opponent’s strengths and limitations, players can deliberately target shots to exploit areas where their adversary is less proficient. This strategic precision forces the opponent out of their comfort zone, increasing the likelihood of inducing errors or creating opportunities to take control of the point. Effectively identifying and exploiting an opponent’s weaknesses adds a mental and strategic dimension to the game, enhancing a player’s chances of success on the tennis court. A great example of this, would be Nadal’s go to tactic against Federer. Punish the backhand. As a lefty, he was able to apply this successfully over the years which saw him win many matches this way.
Here are a few additional points to emphasise that may give you that edge:
1. Successful tennis players navigate the court with a dynamic and adaptable strategy that evolves in response to the flow of a match. This adaptability begins with thorough pre match and in match analysis, allowing players to discern the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents. With this understanding, players make informed decisions about shot selection, leveraging their own strengths while considering the context of the match and the positioning of their opponents on the court. This foresight is important in creating opportunities and exploiting vulnerabilities.
2. Physical fitness and endurance becomes a factor in the success of a player’s ability to execute their tactical plans. The sustained pressure on opponents throughout a match stems from the player’s ability to maintain a high level of play.
Success on the tennis court also hinges on effective risk management. Players must find the balance between taking calculated risks, such as attempting winners, and then adopting a more conservative approach to minimise unforced errors. This risk aware mindset contributes to a player’s overall reliability and resilience during critical points in a match.
