Tennis styles?

Question

Is there kind of like a way when you play tennis--against a certain person, you play a game that varies in order to defeat them? Or do you just play 'your game' and play how you normally do?

Please answer that. And this too. (:

What are the top strategies you use or tactics, to play against someone that perhaps is better than you--(not a certain type of person--just in general)? [List at least 3 to 5 tactics, in order from most to least important].

Answer 1

I consider myself an aggressive baseliner only because I lack any sort of net game. I'd like to become more of an all-court player with more variety. I agree with the poster ahead of me; read Winning Ugly by Brad Gilbert. Personally, I think it should be required reading for tennis players.

Answer 2

You do whatever you have to do to win. When warming up find out to see how your oppenent hits forehands,backhands,serves,responds to slices, and things like that. Find out your oppenents weaknesses and use them against your oppenent. When playing someone better then you, you have to be consistant. Dont overpower the ball. Keep the ball deep and try to get your oppenent running back and forth and left and right.Use a mix of topspin and slices and try not to be predictable.

Answer 3

I usually just play my game. if i notice he's good at one thing i'll keep it away from him. like a good forehand, hit it to his back hand. if he's slow, get him moving from one side of the court to another.

When i'm playing someone better than me, first of all, in the warm up, i NEVER play my best. i won't run for any shot way out of my reach and i always warm up with my second serve. i warm up my first serve when i'm warming up with my team mates. it catches him off guard at least for the first game or so.

Make sure you stay in touch with your game. don't start worrying to much about how he plays which it sounds like what you're doing. play your game and all will be well.

Never, ever let him see you're getting angry. i do a horrible job at that.

Always remember you control the point on your serve. when you serve you can take as much time as you need to get set and ready. and even when he serves, be respectful but if you are not ready for the point, keep your back to the court and wait until you're ready.

good luck

Answer 4

Tennis styles and how to beat each of them is too complex to fit in a short answer.  The perfect book for you to read is Brad Gilbert's "Winning Ugly"!  It's almost the perfect answer to your question.  The most important tactic is to have a plan.  Too many people play without a plan or strategy.  You also need to take notes on what works for you against  different types of players.  The idea is find out what shots make a person uncomfortable and make them hit it over and over again.  If they are an aggressive baseliner, try drawing them to the net.  If they feed on your pace, feed them a steady diet of junk.  Use the warmup to get a feel for your opponents strengths and weaknesses.  Good luck!