Think Like A Pro Tennis Player
Unlock My Secrets of Beating Pro Tennis Players (and of course, all other players)
Pro tennis players excel at four critical skills:
- They move exceptionally well.
- They identify weaknesses and exploit them.
- They play within themselves.
- They maintain focus for long periods.
These qualities make them incredibly tough to beat. Standard tennis simply won’t cut it against these players. At the top level, everyone plays at an exceptional standard, but there’s always one winner—and it often comes down to subtle, overlooked details.
If you’re playing against a top player, you must understand that they have mastered the fundamentals. They are used to competing against great ball strikers. To win, you need to think differently, be unpredictable, and play strategically.
Here’s one approach to outsmarting great movers:
Great movers thrive on consistency and their ability to track down every shot. They’re comfortable playing defense, waiting for opponents to make mistakes. But what happens when you take their movement away?
Playing through the middle of the court neutralizes their ability to move wide and forces them to play more aggressively. This takes them out of their comfort zone. Once they’re in a neutral position, you can open up the court with wide shots at the right moment, catching them off guard.
Transitioning from Defense to Offense:
Understanding your position within a rally—whether defensive, neutral, or offensive—is crucial to winning. Great players adapt quickly, turning defensive situations into offensive opportunities.
For example:
Player A is pushed deep into the backhand corner. Instead of panicking, they slice the ball slow and deep, giving themselves time to reposition closer to the baseline (moving from defense to neutral). The low slice forces their opponent into a weaker shot, allowing Player A to step inside the court and attack (neutral to offense).
Playing Within Yourself:
Players who stay within their limits make fewer errors and remain composed. But sometimes, you can force an opponent to play outside their comfort zone.
Here’s a tactic:
When serving, bounce the ball six times before each serve for three consecutive points. This creates a predictable routine. On a crucial point, break the pattern—don’t bounce the ball at all and serve quickly. The sudden change in tempo disrupts your opponent’s rhythm, often resulting in a free point.
Another Lateral Thinking Tactic:
When returning serves, mix up your positioning. Stand far back for several points, then suddenly step inside the baseline on a crucial return. This unpredictability keeps your opponent guessing and disrupts their focus.
Breaking an Opponent’s Focus:
Focus is the ability to block out distractions and execute a game plan. Players lose focus when external stimuli—like the weather, the crowd, or even an opponent’s behavior—start to creep into their mind.
Here are ways to disrupt an opponent’s focus:
- Compliment them: A well-timed compliment like “Wow, your backhand is incredible today!” can make them shift from executing their game to admiring themselves.
- Highlight external factors: Mention the strong wind, a cheering crowd, or the heat between points to draw their attention away from the game.
- Play an unexpected shot: Throw in an underarm serve, a high lob, or even a tweener to catch them off guard. These moments distract them from their own patterns and make them think about yours.
Remember, the smallest changes in approach can make the biggest difference on the court. Use these strategies to challenge dynamic players and turn the odds in your favor. Think laterally.
Game on,
Written by Rob Reynolds- Founder of XPAND
