You can’t build a successful singles tennis strategy without knowing your game. What’s your edge? Powerful groundstrokes, agile net play or relentless defense and countering?
Unlike Shelton, former pro Brad Gilbert wasn’t known for his power, but racked up 20 career titles. In Winning Ugly, he put simply, “I win because I have the ability to implement my basic game strategy successfully: maximize my strengths and minimize my weaknesses.” For Gilbert, that meant strategically placing the ball where he wanted – and where his opponent didn’t.
There are many ways to win. Use your integrity, but understand you can expand the definition of what’s possible.
– Offensive baseliner: Dictates points with groundstrokes, hitting deep, fast shots to push opponents back and create openings for winners.
– Defensive baseliner: Relies on consistency, speed and patience to grind opponents down. Uses heavy topspin and slices to keep rallies going.
– Serve-and-volleyer: Follows their serve or uses approach shots to charge the net to finish points fast. It’s a key part of Shelton’s game. “Big serves and aggressive forehands. I love to take control of the point early and make my opponent uncomfortable,” he says. “The key is to stay on the front foot and keep the pressure on.”
Recognizing these styles doesn’t just shape your own game, it helps you identify patterns in your opponents and find ways to outwork them.
Credit – On Running blog
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