Strategy in tennis does not need to be complicated. At club level, a few principles applied consistently win more matches than clever but risky plans. A game plan is simply a decision, made in advance, about how you want to win points.
Play high-percentage tennis
Most points at club level end with an error. So the foundations of strategy are:
- get your first serve in with good placement rather than maximum speed;
- return deep and through the middle when under pressure;
- rally crosscourt and keep the ball deep;
- attack short balls, defend when you are in trouble;
- aim away from the lines.
These rules are not exciting, but they force your opponent to beat you.
Build points with patterns
Think in terms of patterns of two or three shots. A few classic ones:
- serve wide, then hit the next ball into the open court;
- deep crosscourt backhand until you get a shorter ball, then change direction down the line;
- an approach shot down the line, then a volley crosscourt;
- a drop shot followed by a lob or a passing shot.
Practice these patterns so they become automatic in matches. Our guide to crosscourt and down-the-line shots covers the direction rules.
Play to your strengths, protect your weaknesses
Know your best shot and build points to use it as often as possible. If your forehand is your weapon, stand slightly to the backhand side and look for chances to run around. If your backhand is weaker, use slice to neutralize and avoid long backhand exchanges.
Make a simple game plan
Before the match, decide on two or three priorities based on what you know about yourself and your opponent: for example, “high first-serve percentage, attack their backhand, come to the net on short balls”. If you have never played them, use the warm-up to notice weaknesses: a shaky backhand, a reluctance to come forward, a weak second serve.
Adjust during the match
If you are winning, do not change a winning game. If you are losing, change something specific: more height and margin, a different target for your serve, more net approaches, or slowing the pace. Change one thing at a time and give it a few games. Our article on playing different types of opponents lists adjustments for common styles.
Learning more about strategy
Watching professional matches with attention to patterns, not just highlights, teaches a lot. Books such as Brad Gilbert’s Winning Ugly remain popular with club players, and many coaches publish free strategy videos. A coach can tailor tactics to your game; see tips for working with a coach.
