Tennis Singles Strategy
Most recreational players have strokes. What they don't have is a plan. Singles strategy is about making your opponent uncomfortable while keeping yourself in control.
Three Rules of Singles
1. Crosscourt default: Longer, lower net, geometrically neutral. Down the line 20% of the time, not 50%.
2. Move then attack: Deep crosscourt pushes them out, then down the line when stretched. Two-shot combos beat one-shot winners.
3. One more ball: Most recreational points are errors. Get the ball back deep and your opponent often misses first.
Pattern Play
Cross-to-Line: 2-3 crosscourts then down the line. Serve+1: Wide serve, forehand to open court. Deep-Deep-Short: 2 deep then drop shot. Approach+Volley: Short ball, approach, volley.
Exploit Weaknesses
Identify the weaker side (usually backhand). Rally to weakness until you get a short ball. Watch for movement weaknesses — drop shot poor forward movers, lob poor backward movers.
Energy Management
Use the 25-second clock. If fitter, make points longer. See conditioning program and nutrition guide.
Night Adjustments
Aim 30cm inside lines under floodlights. LED balls for social matches. See night tennis guide.
Train your tactics
Cones for targets, bulk balls for drilling.