Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy

Tips and tactics from Gerry Donohue's best-selling "Winning Singles Strategy for Recreational Tennis Players." Also a book for doubles. Available on Amazon.

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

As the match progresses, your opponent’s tendencies will emerge. Does he go down the line on approaches? Serve to your backhand? Run around his backhand? Leaning towards—or even just anticipating—his likely next shot can change the outcome of the match. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

Your best baseline position bisects your opponent’s angle of reply. To bisect his angle of reply, mirror his court position. If he’s halfway along the baseline in his deuce court, shade towards the same spot in your deuce court. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

...Instead after you hit your shot, move toward your opponent’s most likely target on the court. If you hit cross-court, for example, slide back toward the center , but shade to your side of the court because that’s her most likely reply. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

The key to getting in the right position for your next shot is to start moving immediately after you hit the last one. Too often, we watch our ball land and only then start to move. That’s too late. Instead… #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

On your opponent’s serve…Adapt. If you’re having trouble returning, vary your receiving position. On fast or topspin serves, take a couple steps back to give yourself more time. Against slice serves, step in to minimize the effect of the spin. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

On your opponent’s serve…Look for patterns. As the match progresses, you can pick up on your opponent’s serving patterns, such as targeting your backhand on second serves or serving down the T at 30-love. Anticipate these and take advantage. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

On your opponent’s serve…Go deep. Rather than going for a winner off the serve, return the ball deep. On soft serves, hit topspin. Against a powerful serve, chip the ball back and let the server’s power carry your shot beyond her service line. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

On your opponent’s serve…Your primary focus must be putting every service return back into the court. Force your opponent to play out every point. Few things in tennis are more psychologically draining than having to fight for every one of your service games. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

The return of serve is an underappreciated shot, yet it’s an important weapon in every player’s arsenal. After all, the server needs to hold her serve every time; you only have to break her once per set. Focusing on improving your return will yield huge benefits. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

On your serve…Always put placement over power. Low-percentage power serves put too much pressure on your second serve. Instead, bleed off a little pace and focus on hitting your locations, such as the corners of the service box or jamming your opponent’s body. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

On your serve…Target the backhand. Hit 80% of your first serves to your opponent’s backhand. Topspin serves to the backhand force your opponent to either hit the ball up around her shoulder, which is a difficult shot, or to step back, robbing her of any pace. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

On your serve…Hit your second serve first. Spin it in. Serving with slice and/or topspin pulls the ball down into the box. In one fell swoop, you minimize double faults and keep your opponent from preying on your second serve. Spin in your second serve too. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

The volley zone extends from the service line to the net. Here you look to put the ball away, but only if you can hit a winner. If, however, you have a tough volley, focus on putting the ball back in the court and making your opponent hit another shot. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

The offensive zone extends from the baseline to the service line. You put pressure on your opponent by moving into that space. Don’t go for a winner. Instead, force your opponent to play defensively, giving you the opportunity to close on the net. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

The rally zone is the band along the baseline where you’re confident that you can hold your own. Use your consistency to control the points. Target your opponent’s weaker strokes and look to improve your court position. When you get a short ball, move forward. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

Your defensive zone extends from a few feet behind the baseline to the back fence and beyond the alleys. Your best option is to hit high and deep and get back into position. From the sidelines, always hit cross-court. Let your opponent try to put the ball away. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

Strategically, the tennis court is divided into four zones: defensive, rally, offensive, and volley. The key to minimizing unforced errors and winning matches is understanding what you can and cannot do in each of these zones. We’ll address each of them in turn. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

Most unforced errors occur from hitting the wrong shot from the wrong spot on the court--going for a winner from behind baseline or a drop shot from just inside the baseline. You’ll miss more of those shots than you'll make. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

Focusing on control and placement engages you in the strategy of the game. Rather than simply trying to out-hit your opponent, you look to out-think him. You work at moving your opponent around, exposing his weaknesses, and imposing your strengths. #TennisTips

[Winning_Recreational_Tennis_Strategy @gerrydonohue]

Focusing on control not only improves your chances of winning today, it adds power to your game tomorrow. Increased control reduces your unforced errors, so you hit more balls in match conditions. As you gain confidence, you will naturally hit with more pace. #TennisTips