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Tennis Strategy and Tactics – Smart Players Win More Matches

Tennis Strategy and Tactics – Smart Players Win More Matches

Tennis is a game of strategy and tactics. It doesn’t take long to discover that there is much more to tennis than technique and pretty strokes. Often times more experienced players will beat players that appear to have a better game on the surface. Some of the best recreational players are self-taught, have unorthodox strokes, and win a ton of matches. Why is that?

Tennis Strategy

This is due to understanding tennis strategy and how to apply it to win more matches. Strategic tennis players formulate and implement a game plan when they play tennis. The strategic player realizes his style of play, what his strengths and weaknesses are, and how to maximize his strengths and minimize his weakness against his opponent to win more points.

Tennis strategy begins in the first few minutes of warm up. The strategist observes and analysis what types of shots his opponent likes and doesn’t like to play. He takes note of weaknesses in his opponent’s game, such as ball judgement, movement, technique, and decision making. He also makes a mental note of his opponent’s strengths and his on court tendencies. From here the strategist determines how his opponent is likely to play and is ready with a plan before the first point is played.

Tennis Tactics

Tennis tactics are preferred ways of playing tennis to achieve the strategy. Once you decide on a tennis strategy, such as playing aggressive baseline tennis, your tactics to achieve that strategy can be different. For example, one player’s tactics may be to overpower their opponent from the baseline, like Serena Williams plays. Another player’s tactics may be to put pressure on their opponent by taking the balls on the rise, like Andre Agassi used to play. Both players have the same strategy but their tactics to achieve it are different.

Tactical Decision Making

Another element to tennis tactics is tactical decision making. Tactical decisions take place during any given point. This can be seen during point play when players construct points in patterns that are favorable to his strategy. We call this pattern tennis. Each shot in tennis is made with a decision. With on court experience we can learn to make smart tactical decisions.

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If you have suggestions for posts you’d like to see me do or information you’d love to see provided, please feel free to contact me and let me know.

Tennis Shot Selection Drills for Singles

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This tennis lesson with Erica covers tennis shot selection drills for singles that can make the difference between winning or losing a close match. Often times close matches are determined by hitting the right shots at the right time. This can often be confusing with all the decisions you have to make on the court.

In today’s video, I share my simple zone system to determine shot selection. Court positioning and the ball being received determines shot selection. This can help for making those decisions simple and even automatic. In close matches it is critical that you stop overthinking things. By doing these drills over time, your subconscious can take over and allow you to win more matches.

Shot selection drills in this tennis lesson…

Zones in Tennis to Guide Shot Selection

Where you are physically positioned on the court can help guide your shot selection. Here is a framework that can be used as a guide. Utilize the photos below to illustrate the framework as well.

  • Defensive zone is when you’re positioned six feet or more beyond the baseline.
    • Typically in this zone you want to hit your shots at least six feet above the net. This helps limit your chances of missing into the net, can assist with placing the ball deep, and provide yourself time to recover.
  • Neutral zone is when your beyond the baseline but not being pushed back beyond where you would like to stand.
    • When in the neutral zone, it is important to focus on depth and try to keep the ball deep. This keeps your opponent at bay, needing to take on additional risk if they decide to go for an aggressive ball. Hitting balls three to six feet over the net with topspin is a great choice in this zone because it may push your opponent back near the defensive zone and result in your opponent hitting the ball short.
  • The attacking zone is when you’re positioned inside the baseline.
    • In the attacking zone, the court has now shortened. It is important to hit lower over the net keeping the ball within three feet over the net. This will assist in keeping your attacking or approach shots from sailing long
  • The kill zone is when your are positioned around the service line.
    • All the points in the attacking zone apply to the kill zone as well.

The 2-1

  1. First shot is deep to C+ to push the opponent back in the court.
  2. Second shot is wide to D to open up the court.
  3. Third shot is placed to A for the unspectacular winner.
Tennis Singles Strategy The 2-1

More singles strategy to win more matches…

The above tennis singles concepts come from my Singles Strategy and Statistics Playbook.

Tennis Singles Strategy and Statistics

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Introduction

When talking tennis with my peers and fellow tennis coaches it became evident that we all had our own preferences on tennis singles strategy. However, none of us had the data to suggest which approach would be ideal. So I decided to do some research and found many valuable resources, one of which was from Craig O’Shannessy who was formerly on the strategy team for Novak Djokovic, and is known in the tennis world for sharing tennis statistics and tennis patterns that apply to all levels of play.

I created the following article on tennis singles strategy and statistics to help my tennis pros and clients improve. I hope you find some value in it as well.

You will find a tennis court template that is labeled with numbers and letters at the end of the article. Refer to the tennis court template when serve locations and patterns of play are mentioned. I will put together a video as well to provide more insights in the near future.

Who am I?

Know your strengths and weaknesses. 

Who is my opponent?

Figure out what the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses are.

Who is the best?

Know what the top players in the World are doing and copy their patterns.

Based on the above findings, put together a game plan for patterns of play for the first 4 shots. Remember to focus on forcing errors. What strategy does my opponent dislike, finds uncomfortable, or takes away rhythm? It is easier to make the opponent play bad then to play great yourself. 

  • Primary patterns: ~75% of the time. (Utilize to get up in the score.)
  • Secondary patterns: ~25% of the time. (Utilize when the score doesn’t press the situation.)

8 Ways to Force an Error

*Depth*, Consistency, Direction, Height, Spin, Power, Court Position, Time.

Tennis Singles Strategy Win Percentages

  • Baseline: 46%
  • Approaching: 66% – Ideally a heavy forehand to the backhand behind the player. (Increases to 71%)
  • Serve and Volley: 69% – Ideal first volley is behind the player.
Tennis Singles Strategy Court Labeled

Serve Patterns

  • Primary 1st serve pattern: out wide to 1 and 8. 
  • Primary 2nd serve pattern: serving to the body-backhand jammer (3 and 7) and to the backhand. 

*The 1st service game will have a greater percentage of serves to the body than any other game to increase the percentage of 1st serves in the court. 

Serve Goals

  • 1st serve in 60%
  • 1st serve points won 70%
  • 2nd serve points won 50%
  • Breakpoints saved 60%
  • Service games won 80%

Return Patterns

  • 1st serve return: On the defense. Return deep down the middle of the court.
  • 2nd serve return: On the offense. Step up and take the serve early. (Murray) Run around it and hit a forehand. (Nadal) Remember, big shots go to big targets.

*70% (men) 75% (women) returns come back.

Passing Shots

  • Primary passing shot is the crosscourt roll.
  • Secondary passing shot is down the line.

Playbook for Tennis Singles Strategy

Zones in Tennis to Guide Shot Selection

Where you are physically positioned on the court can help guide your shot selection. Here is a framework that can be used as a guide. Utilize the photos below to illustrate the framework as well.

  • Defensive zone is when you’re positioned six feet or more beyond the baseline.
    • Typically in this zone you want to hit your shots at least six feet above the net. This helps limit your chances of missing into the net, can assist with placing the ball deep, and provide yourself time to recover.
  • Neutral zone is when your beyond the baseline but not being pushed back beyond where you would like to stand.
    • When in the neutral zone, it is important to focus on depth and try to keep the ball deep. This keeps your opponent at bay, needing to take on additional risk if they decide to go for an aggressive ball. Hitting balls three to six feet over the net with topspin is a great choice in this zone because it may push your opponent back near the defensive zone and result in your opponent hitting the ball short.
  • The attacking zone is when you’re positioned inside the baseline.
    • In the attacking zone, the court has now shortened. It is important to hit lower over the net keeping the ball within three feet over the net. This will assist in keeping your attacking or approach shots from sailing long
  • The kill zone is when your are positioned around the service line.
    • All the points in the attacking zone apply to the kill zone as well.

The 2-1

  1. First shot is deep to C+ to push the opponent back in the court.
  2. Second shot is wide to D to open up the court.
  3. Third shot is placed to A for the unspectacular winner.
Tennis Singles Strategy The 2-1
The 2-1 Followed by the Backhand Cage (Until my opponent got a clear opening to run me).

Backhand Cage

Your forehand (sword) vs the opponent’s backhand (shield). Make your opponent hit 4 backhands in a row.

*If it is clear that this is your opponent’s pattern of choice, attack his forehand first. 

*To counter this pattern, hit the backhand down the line without giving up court position.

Tennis Singles Strategy The Backhand Cage

Serve + 1 Forehand

  1. Hit the forehand instead of the backhand. (2:1 winner ratio) 
  2. Attack the Deuce or Ad side twice. (Causes the opponent to freeze and removes anticipation.)

Number of Shots per Point

  • 1-4: First Strike – 70% of points.
  • 5-8: Patterns – 20% of points.
  • 9+: Extended Rallies – 10% of points. 

*Takeaways: Spend more time on the serve and return, serve +1 and return +1.

More Keys for Success

  • Understand that the best players in the World win 55% of points. Be mentally and emotionally prepared to lose 45% of points. 
  • The match is being played during the point and between the points. 
  • One point can change everything.
  • 80% of points played end in errors. Chase the 80% by making the opponent uncomfortable resulting in an error. 
  • Hit run around forehands. Forehands produce 2 times more winners than backhands.
  • C+ is where players stand the most. 
  • Spend 80% of the time developing strengths and 20% of the time minimizing weaknesses. 
  • Play more than you practice.

Tennis Singles Strategy Framework

When formulating your singles strategy and patterns of play, refer to this court diagram. It is a great way to come up with set plays before you play a match. If you enjoyed this article I know you will love the tennis doubles strategy and positioning post.

Tennis Singles Strategy Court Labeled

Tennis Doubles Strategy and Positioning

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Introduction

Playing tennis with different doubles partners can be frustrating because not everyone knows tennis doubles strategy. Often times tennis doubles positioning varies from partner to partner. So, rather than going off of my years of tennis experience and discussions with professionals in the industry I decided to research for statistics to determine patterns of winning doubles. After searching through resources, I came across a talk at the USPTA by Craig O’Shannessy who was formerly on the strategy team for Novak Djokovic, and is known for utilizing data to guide tennis doubles strategy and positioning.

The following article on tennis doubles strategy and positioning was created to help my tennis pros improve their teaching and our clients improve their games. Hopefully you find some value in it as well.

You will find a tennis court template that is labeled with numbers and letters at the end of the article. Refer to the tennis court template when serve locations and patterns of play are mentioned. A video will be provided with more insights in the near future.

Doubles Statistics to Drive Strategy

  • Winners: 41%
  • Forced Errors: 38%
  • Unforced Errors: 21%

Number of Shots per Point

  • 1-4: First Strike – 81% of points.
  • 5-8: Patterns – 17% of points.
  • 9+: Extended Rallies – 2% of points. 
  • Average Rally Length ~3 shots.

*Takeaways: Spend more time on the serve and return, serve +1 and return +1.

Last Shot in Doubles

  • Up at Net: 68%
  • At the Baseline: 32%
  • By the Server: 64%
  • By the Returner: 36%
  • Winner up at Net: 84%
  • Winner at the Baseline:16%
  • Error up at Net: 49%
  • Error at the Baseline: 51%

Last Shot Winner: Serving Team

  • Volley: 64%
  • Overhead: 75%
  • Passing Shot: 35%
  • Lob: 0%
  • Ground Stroke: 10%

Last Shot Winner: Returning Team

  • Volley: 54%
  • Overhead: 86%
  • Passing Shot: 30%
  • Lob: 29%
  • Ground Stroke: 4%

Serve Percentages in Doubles

  • 1st Serve % In: 68%
  • 1st Serve Win %: 74%
  • 2nd Serve Win %: 54%

Return Percentages in Doubles

  • Unreturned Serves: 15%       
  • Return Winners: 13%
  • Forehand Winners: 17%
  • Backhand Winners: 10%

Tennis Doubles Strategy

Control the Center Window

Center Window: a 9ft wide by 3ft high window centered at the net strap. The center window resembles an hourglass with the small neck being located at the center of the net.

  • In general, the serving team wants to keep the balls in the middle of the court. 
  • In general, the returning team wants to keep the balls wide and create chaos. Another option is to hit down the middle and take over the center window.
Tennis Doubles Strategy Control the Center Window

*If you control the center window you control the match.

*If you don’t control the center window stop playing there immediately. (Example: Lob a lot and play somewhere else by creating angles.)

Tennis Doubles Positioning

Where You Stand Matters

It visually expands and shrinks areas of the court. Ideal positioning:

  • Servers partner stands in the center of the service box. 
  • Returner’s partner stands behind the service line at serve location 3 (deuce) and 6 (ad). This buys the returner more reaction time.
  • Staggered formation is the preferred formation. This is where the server aims to be positioned on the service line at the midpoint of his service box. (over 2 up equal and 2 back)  
  • You want to have a rubber band attached to you and your partner. When your partner gets pushed back or gets pulled off the court you want to make the necessary adjustments to play the middle. 
Tennis Doubles Positioning Staggered Formation Court Coverage

Where to Look

Eyes forward. Opponents are a mirror. All the information is in front of you.

Tennis Doubles Positioning Staggard Formation Can Move Forward

Forget the Lines

  • Once the serve is hit most lines vanish.
  • Teamwork is the back player making the front player look good. (Like volleyball: back player sets, front player spikes.)
  • Net player covers: side, front, and middle.
Tennis Doubles Strategy Front Player Go Get It

Don’t Follow the Ball

  • If the player looks comfortable: on balance, setup, has time then follow the ball.
  • If the player looks uncomfortable: defense, reaching, falling, off balance, rushed, jammed, lunging low, reaching high then the ball is not going down the line. Go center or middle.
Tennis Doubles Positioning Uncomfortable Don't Cover The Line

Don’t Change Directions

  • Don’t create new angles on the court to get hurt with. 
  • Create a 2 on 1 scenario. Hockey power play.

*Doubles lesson. Call out “there’s a change” when the ball changes direction. If the team who changed direction wins the point it counts. If they lose the point it is worth 2 points for the other team. Down the middle and cross court is fine.

Tennis Doubles Strategy Don't Change Directions

Don’t Cover the Line

  • It’s not embarrassing it’s greatness
  • Rule of 3. Beat me 3 times and I will respect it.
  • Front player looks bad, typically the back player’s fault.
  • Give up at least half of the doubles alley. 

Tennis Doubles Strategy: Where to Place the Ball

Best Serve Locations

  • Deuce primary pattern: 4 & 3. Returner generally has a strong forehand return.
  • Deuce secondary pattern: 1.
  • Ad court: Find the weakness. The better backhand returner is typically there.

Best Return Locations

  • Deuce court: return at the server’s feet when serving and volleying, side T, and to B when the player stays back. 
  • Ad court: return out wide to catch the backhand late or to side T.

Volley Targets

Server’s partner offensive volleys: down the middle, out wide, touch angle. (In that order)

Tennis Doubles Strategy Offensive Volley Targets

Server’s partner defensive volleys: back deep to returner, feet of returner’s partner. (In that order)

*Preview the spots before the point starts. Things happen fast. Play it first in your mind.

Tennis Doubles Strategy Defensive Volley Targets

Low Middle

Doubles default. Percentages, confusion, boomerang, multiplying. 

*Rather than going wide or down the line, go low middle.

Tennis Doubles Playbook

The J

To execute “The J”, the returner’s partner goes forward faking to cover his side. However, right before the server hits the ball, returner’s partner cuts to the middle.

Tennis Doubles Playbook The J.

The V

Server’s partner covers more at the net. Start with split steps and go to get the ball. 

*Think about cutting into the net strap.

Reasons to Play Two Back

  • Big server
  • No center window control
  • Slower at net
  • Better groundstrokes
  • Returner’s partner in trouble

Lob Returns

Good doubles teams do it as a weapon and to create chaos. Counter an aggressive server’s partner. Go high over the backhand volley of the server’s partner or server.

Serve Formations

Traditional, “I”, Australian. 

  • *Tennis players utilize the Australian formation more often on the ad side when the returner has a great crosscourt return.
  • *Utilize serve formations to make the returner hit the ball where you want it.

Returner’s Partner Neutral

  • Only cross the service line when you are on offense.
  • Focus on the server’s partner.
  • Defense: back middle. (backwards J)
  • Offense: J to the middle.

Tennis Doubles Strategy Framework

Utilize the tennis court diagram below to plot your doubles strategy, court positioning, and set plays before your matches. It can also be a great tool to get your partner on the same page with you. Also, if you enjoyed this article I know you will love the tennis singles strategy post as well.

Tennis Court Diagram with Labels.

Tennis Tips to Win More Matches

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Not long ago I heard someone remark that the success of the tennis teams in California (as it relates to performance in USTA NorCal Districts), as opposed to Reno players, is the fact that they get to play all year. I don’t think the answer is that simple. It’s not so much that they have year round access to tennis, it’s the fact that they have year round access to a seemingly endless supply of opponents. And with variety comes strategy. In playing new people, you are consistently finding new ways to win. Albert Einstein defines insanity as, “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If we don’t make the effort find new ways to win by challenging our opponents, or challenging our own abilities, we will never grow as players.

Whether you choose to find diversity in playing tournaments, USTA, Northern Nevada Interclub, Cardio Tennis programs that offer both drills and point play, or a recreational match, there are a number of ways to engage yourself mentally, along with engaging your game. In order to better prepare for “competition when it matters,” find a way to implement new strategies in your everyday tennis.

Tactical tennis starts as early as the warm up. By observing your opponent prior to the match you will start to find cues as to their strengths, weaknesses, preferred shots and even temperament. As you analyze your opponent’s technique you will be able to start to register information beyond stroke production. Look at their size. Are they tall? How do they handle a low ball? What’s their physical condition? How do they move? Laterally? Front to back? Where’s their weight transfer? Back foot? What’s their shot preference? What’s their shot tolerance? How are they mentally? Confident? Aggressive? Nervous? Keep in mind, that as you formulate your game plan early in the match, chances are that is not the strategy you will end with. A good opponent will work equally as hard at changing their game to ensure your tactics don’t work.

The easiest, and most obvious, way to win a match is to win more points than your opponent. By starting your strategy early, based on your opponent’s weakness, you can begin to accumulate points sooner. If you have determined your opponent’s weaker side, you should start attacking their flaw earlier in the match. Use a combination of serves, ground strokes and returns focusing on their weakness. Using more pace might give them less time to respond. Also, employing various spins, speed and adjusted ball height, can work to ensure that your opponent doesn’t get too comfortable and establish a rhythm.

What if your opponent is attacking your weaker side? They have employed the same strategy. Then you must shift your focus away from winning more points, to lose fewer points. Given their formula of exploiting your weakness, you will have to use that shot to test the chinks in their armor, and hopefully allow you to end the point with your strongest stroke.

In being patient, and learning that unnecessary risks will not lead to reward, you will be able to navigate your match easier. I have heard numerous pros discuss concepts like “shot tolerance” or “yellow ball” rallies in setting up points. In essence you are trying to determine how long they can stay in a point – their shot tolerance. If your opponent can keep the ball in play 10 times, then you will have to keep it in play 11 times to win the match. A “yellow ball” mind set works the same way. As we watch the pros play, we tend to focus on the winning shot, the point ender, the green light, without considering the yellow lights along the way. There may have been a 20 ball rally of “keeping the ball in play” before getting the green light for the winner.

In becoming better analysts, we become better tennis players. As we participate in tennis matches here in Reno, we need to develop not only our strokes, but also our strategies. In working on adding variety, dimension and gamesmanship to our games we can actually start thinking through our matches so that when we come across those opponents who are familiar with many different playing styles, we too can make the necessary mental adjustments. We need to find the balance of offensive tennis strategies, married with losing fewer points, in order build a balanced, winning, game plan.

Taking the Ball Early on the Rise in Tennis

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Taking the Ball Early: The “Go To” Mindset

Taking the ball on the rise in tennis is a mindset that takes focus and determination. Moving to the ball is demanding on the body and takes much more effort than waiting for the ball. That is why so many recreational players tend to wait for the ball, because it is easier on the body and naturally we do what feels best. However, if more players were aware of the benefits of moving to the ball and how the benefits apply to multiple sports, I am sure people would buy in.

Think of some of the great athletes and ask yourself if they go to the ball or wait for the ball to come to them. Dennis Rodman went up aggressively to get rebounds as they bounced off the rim. He didn’t wait for the ball to come to him. Wes Welker moves toward the ball when catching the football on a crossing route in coverage. Andre Agassi and Roger Federer move into the court and attack the ball on the rise. When Roger gets a floater he takes the ball out of the air as a swinging volley rather than waiting for the ball to bounce. I think you get the point. All of the athletes mentioned above have the “go to” mindset. Therefore, they are more aggressive and more likely to dictate play. Not convinced? Let’s talk benefits.

Taking the Ball Early: Benefits

Pressure

  • Opponent has less time to react and set up for the incoming ball.
  • Make the opponent pay for hitting short balls and balls that float through the air.
  • Being closer to the net you can produce sharper angles that cause your opponent to cover more court.

Positioning and Set Up

  • By taking the ball early you cut off your opponent’s angles and don’t need to cover as much court.
  • By being further in the court it puts you in a better position to be offensive and attack the net.
  • By going to the ball you have greater control over the height and the contact point at which you stroke the ball.
  • Due to taking the ball on the rise you can minimize the impact of spin.
    • A prime example of this would be taking a kick serve or slice serve early so that the ball doesn’t have the opportunity to move outside of your comfort or strike zone.
  • It is favorable to simplify the backswing of the stroke to handle and redirect hard hit balls, which can help lessen unforced errors.

Taking the Ball on the Rise: Best Practices

  • When playing try to stand close to the baseline and move forward to dictate play. If your opponent hits the ball with good depth, adjust accordingly.
  • Simplify your backswing so that it goes back far enough to establish a strong load but no further. A shorter backswing will help with your timing and comfort when taking the ball early.
  • When the ball is low work on establishing a neutral or square stance and bending your knees so that your center of gravity is low. This will help maintain good posture and balance as you set up below the ball.
  • Focus on your opponent’s body language and strings prior to hitting the ball. By doing so you may get some cues and clues to the quality and direction of ball your opponent is likely to hit.
    • For example, you may hit a deep ball to your opponent’s backhand and notice that he will be reaching to hit a slice that is likely to float through the air. This may cue you to move in quickly and hit a swinging volley, if that happens to be your style.

Taking the Ball Early: General Footwork and Set up Tips

Taking the ball early requires the same great footwork you would use on all your strokes and more. These general footwork concepts are going to seem obvious if you have been around the game for some time, however a refresher never hurts.

  • Always initiate the split step prior to your opponent making contact with the ball so that you can react explosively to the ball.
  • Utilize your adjustment steps, small calculated steps, as you approach the ball and assess the optimal setup point.
  • Work hard to move your feet out behind the ball so that your last step to the ball is forward into the court rather than horizontal toward the sideline.
    • By doing so you allow your hips to unload into the ball, where as if the last step is to the side the hips have a difficult time rotating through.
  • Focus on keeping your head still through contact. This will help with your point of contact and timing.
    • If your head were to change elevations or move horizontally at contact, more than likely your racquet head will follow which commonly results in miss hits.

The Drill for Taking the Ball Early or on the Rise in Tennis

Taking the ball on the rise can be taught and implemented through training. Working on taking the ball early can be physically exhausting and mentally draining. As you practice remember to enjoy the process of what you are doing and as long as it is effective, the results will come.

The drill that I have found effective for improving my ability to take the ball on the rise is where my partner and I stand inside the baseline and exchange ground strokes. First, position yourself two feet inside the baseline. Second, begin to rally with your partner. Third, move in on each short ball ensuring to take the ball on the rise. Lastly, lets cover what to do on balls that most people find challenging during this drill.

Low Balls: Lower down with your legs on balls that are hit low around your feet and hit your ground strokes. If you have to take adjustment steps back to allow for the ball to rise up to your preferred contact point do so, however only when necessary.

Balls that Sail Long: If the ball is headed long go ahead and practice your swinging volley. This will help you attack balls that float through the air and improve your hand eye coordination.

Taking the Ball Early: What You Need to Implement

Taking the ball early in tennis isn’t all sunshine and rainbows; it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Through practice and doing the best practices and the drill mentioned previously you should be able to improve these key skills for taking the ball on the rise:

  • Read the ball sooner
  • Set up for the stroke earlier
  • Improve your timing and hand eye coordination
  • Improve your footwork and move quickly to the ball
  • Begin to hit with more topspin, court distance is shorter, need more spin to keep the ball in.

I hope you found the article helpful and please share your thoughts below by commenting and subscribe. See you on the court!

5 Steps to Improve My Tennis Game Example

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Playing Tennis with a Purpose

First, make sure to read the previous post, 5 Steps to Improve Your Tennis Game. This post is an example of how you can develop a game plan for playing better tennis and is meant to be used as a guide. Enjoy!

My tennis technique is fundamentally sound, however, my strategy, fitness and mental game are susceptible to breaking down. I don’t play enough matches to be match tough. When I play tennis players at my level or below I find myself preparing for each ball and hitting each shot relatively comfortably. However, at times I miss what many would see as a routine volley or put away ball. I believe this is due to a lack of match play.

When I play better tennis players than myself, tennis becomes very difficult. During point play, I find myself out of position when my opponent is on offensive due to not reading or reacting to the ball soon enough. I find better tennis players hit fewer short balls which makes playing my preferred style of play more difficult; attacking tennis. As a result, I tend to approach the net on balls that are deeper in the court or playing out longer points from the baseline.

Over the past several years I have not put in the tennis training required to progress past the 5.0 level. There are reasons why but they are just excuses. My fitness is not that of a competitive tennis tournament player and I get tired which leads to other aspects of my game breaking down.

Stepping up my Tennis Development

Since January 1st of 2015, I have stepped up my commitment to myself as a tennis player. I have gotten back together with tennis friends that are highly motivated to improve their tennis games and fitness. I play four days a week for two plus hours a day where I get pushed out of my comfort zone on the court and I teach tennis about ten hours on the weekend. I also get in the gym every Monday and Friday at seven am before my 9 to 5 with my good friend Chris.

Vision for My Tennis Game

I envision myself as an all court attacking player that plays at the open tournament level. I will dictate play with my serve and attack each short ball I receive, followed by taking the net and finishing the point. I will mix in a serve and volley from time to time when the opponent chips back the return. On the return games, I will hit through my returns with confidence and neutralize my opponent’s serve. I will transition up to net whenever I get presented with a short ball to approach on.

Throughout my life I have identified myself as being as tennis player and a coach. Some of my interests have changed but my passion for tennis and leadership has been continuous. When I think of my life I feel there would be nothing more satisfying than sharing the sport and benefits of tennis with others. I see myself continuing to learn and grow as a tennis player and coach to the point where tennis becomes my only source of income to support myself and my family.

Develop a Mission or Roadmap for My Tennis Game

On The Court

  • Play 2+ hours of tennis a day, four days a week.
  • Ensure all practices are structured and challenging.
  • Practice the serve and return every time I step out onto the court.
  • Play a minimum of one match per week.

Gym Workouts

  • Workout in the gym a minimum of two times a week for an hour.
  • Structure the workouts to incorporate strength training and flexibility.
  • Workout with a partner and push each other.

Diet and Rest

  • Eat a large breakfast.
  • Take in protein before and after each workout.
  • Avoid caffeine and candy with high amounts of sugar.
  • Maintain a well-rounded diet and take in the amount of calories necessary for the amount of training being done.
  • Get eight hours of sleep each night.

Coach and Leader

  • Research topics that will add value to tennis player’s development and myself as a coach.
  • Stay focused on one research topic at a time.
  • Share the information I learn and my experiences on the blog for everyone to see.
  • Meet with mentors and share thoughts with other coaches or leaders in the tennis community to learn new things.

Setting the Standard for My Tennis Game

My standard for where I must get myself as a tennis player is playing competitively at the open level. I must play attacking tennis and swing out confidently on all of my strokes. When the opportunity arises to put away my opponent I must make the shot 90+ percent of the time.

My fitness and flexibility must get to the level where it doesn’t break down and affect my tennis performance. Specifically, I must be able to play two three set matches per day, two days in a row without my fitness negatively impacting my performance on the court. When on the full stretch I need to still be able to find strength in the full stretch position.

As a coach I must share as much valuable content as possible with the world to help others improve their development as tennis players. I must be a leader in the tennis community and make tennis the primary source for providing for myself and my family.

What is to Come?

My game plan to improve as a tennis player is not perfect and I am sure it can be improved upon. In the future I will be keeping track and measuring the effectiveness of the activities and drills I do, which I will share here on the Tennis Nation blog. If there were items you would change or add let me know by adding a comment below.

What is your plan for becoming a better tennis player?