Serving & Returning Strategies
1.) Serve wide — hit to the open court; Serve T — hit behind opponent
2.) Return first serves deep down the middle of the court to neutralize server’s advantage; Return second serves to opponent’s weakness
3.) Bigger points — use high % serves and returns
4.) After you have just broken your opponent or held — use high % serves or returns for first point to keep pressure on them
5.) After your opponent has just held or broken you — use aggressive serves or returns for first point to gain back momentum
Rally Strategies
1.) Play primarily cross court because it is high %
2.) Attack a weakness (forehand or backhand)
3.) Move your opponent around the court
4.) Get to the net
5.) When in doubt — do what you do best
Finishing Points
1.) Be alert and recognize opportunity balls
2.) “Attack” the ball with your feet not your arm
3.) Shot selection is based on strategies — either go at opponent’s weakness, move them, or send the ball from the direction that it came from
4.) On approach shots focus on up and down; aim lower, shorter, and harder
5.) Follow the path of the ball to the net
Momentum Rules
1.) Have it — play high %
2.) Need it — attack
3.) Big points — play high %
4.) It takes two points to gain momentum — one to stop opponent’s momentum and another to get it going your direction
5.) Continue to be greedy — tennis is a finishing sport, not a timed sport
Goals for Each Match
1.) Fight more than opponent — FIGHT = Toughness + Professionalism
2.) Focus more between points than opponent
3.) Move feet harder than opponent
4.) Control emotions better than opponent
5.) Have better shot selection than opponent