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Though we have peppered most of the text with strategic and tactical ideas and tips, we offer this
consolidated section for those who really want to deepen their approach to the game of tennis.
The difference between strategy and tactics is roughly the same as in politics or war:
1) Strategy is the design of an overall plan for a campaign (match) that is designed to gain
victory by maximizing your strengths and exploiting the opponent's weaknesses;
2) Tactics consists of the means and methods to help make victory happen.
Strategy is the conceptual and the macro level; tactics is the practical and micro level. Strategy is
somewhat theoretical and general, while tactics requires flexibility and attention to changing
circumstances.
SINGLES
Singles strategy comes in several flavors, each of which is associated with one of these styles of play:
Baseline
All-court
Serve-and-volley
Baseline play assumes certain principles and variables – groundstrokes, relatively long points and
relatively little volleying. These factors clearly affect baseline strategies, though they do not dictate
them. The same is true for all-court and serve-and-volley tennis.
Strategies for different players also reflect the personal strengths and weaknesses of an individual
player. For instance, one baseline player might be 'tilted' towards a powerful, aggressive forehand while
a second owns a strong backhand 'kill' shot. A particular serve-and-volleyer might be so much better at
volleying than groundstrokes that he should come in after both first and second serves. Another might
not have a strong enough second serve to approach the net on a second delivery.
Keep these differences in mind when applying our recommendations to your game.
BASELINE PLAY
Not long ago, baseline tennis was essentially defensive in nature. Players who were natural counter
punchers, ran well, or were morally opposed to volleying played this style. They did so at least in part
because it matched their approach to tennis and to matters outside of the game.
Things have changed. Racquets, strings and philosophies of instruction have evolved with time. What
was once a matter of camping out and hitting safe, loopy shots until the opponent erred has increasingly
become an aggressive style of play married to an effective serve and a powerful forehand.
What has this meant for tennis strategy and its tactical side? It has opened up baseline play, increasing
the strategic options. It means that a player can alternate between defensive and offensive play while
staying in the same zone of the court.
NOTE: The tactics and strategy you adopt will also partly be a function of court surface.
Different tennis courts are faster or slower, producing lower or higher ball bounces. This not
only affects how aggressive a baseliner might be. It actually might impact which style of play
you adopt.
Let's create profiles of two prototypical baseline players:
The aggressive baseliner hovers around the baseline. He looks to hit both forehand and
backhand hard and with depth. Relies (typically) on the forehand to hit point-ending stroke. May
hit many strokes with considerable topspin but ‘flattens’ strokes out at critical moments; comes
forward to volley to finish points.
The defensive baseliner: Hangs several steps behind baseline. Expects opponent to take
offensive and prepares to defend. Specializes at counterpunching, which is accomplished by hitting
deep, looping balls and angled shots that surprise the foe and take the sting out of his shots. Is
prepared to rally until opponent makes an error. Will move up to the baseline if required, but rarely
ventures forward past that point.
No one player will perfectly fit either, and most baseliners will adapt some of each style to their games.
NOTE: The rules of court geometry apply to all kinds of play. Baseline play is predicated on
groundstroke rallying, and the most effective form of such rallying is crosscourt. Hitting
down the line is appropriate for approach shots and for outright (attempted) winners.
ALL-COURT PLAY
All-court play produces the most variety, possibilities and options of the three styles. All-court players
move between backcourt and forecourt. This expands choices, which sometimes creates problems.
Here’s a quick profile of the standard all-court player:
Enjoys hitting all shots. Will sometimes pass up an obvious shot to hit a more interesting one.