What is your number?
A different tennis strategy...

I've discovered a certain "law" in tennis regarding tennis players. Everyone has a number. OK, what does that mean?

The number that I'm referring to is the number of shots that the player can last in a rally before their fitness or concentration starts to go down. That's when the probability of an unforced error goes up rapidly.

Players try to shorten the point when they feel tired. They go for low percentage shots because they feel they don't have enough energy to keep running back and forth. They are also afraid that even when they do decide to stay in one point to the end (and really suffer physically) they will not recover for a long time.

And when their concentration drops their perception of ball flight and the current situation gets worse and worse. Decisions become less smart and more mistakes happen.

Why is this important for you?

First, for your own sake. Find out what is the number of shots in the rally where you are still comfortable – physically and mentally and what is the number when you start to "break down.

What you need to do next is to try and stay at least one more shot in the rally. If your number is 5, then try and get to 6 in your next matches. After a while you will find yourself quite comfortable with 6 shots. Go for 7. And so on…

Second, you will be able to quickly identify your opponent's number. If it is 5, you know that in order to significantly raise your chances of winning the point, you only need to stay in the rally up to 6 or 7 shots.

Remember, your opponent is not aware of this law and neither were you until now. But from now on you have a distinct advantage – you have a certain strategy with which you will win more points and your opponent will not be aware of that.

Even though we all understand that we try to shorten the point when we get tired in a point, most players are not aware of that fact while playing. Their explanation for playing a low risk shot will be something else than fatigue.

Here is one tennis drill that I use with juniors (and adults): we play a normal set except that in the first game I hit only 1 ball over the net and then I miss (on purpose). In the second game I play 2 balls over and then I miss. … In the ninth game (let's say the score is 5:3) I play 9 shots over and then I miss.

Most juniors are comfortable up to 5 or 6 shots, and then they start missing with much higher frequency. They need to learn that with good players it gets tougher and tougher when you are closer to the end of the set.

So, what's your number?

Having trouble with net rushers? Can't return wide serves from a lefty? Submit your questions and share your tips in the Tennis Strategy Tips page!

Back to Tennis Strategy

Back to TennisMindGame.com