GET TO THE NET
Most players play most of their tennis from the baseline. So if you come to the net your opponent is likely to feel uncomfortable, and under more pressure. The less familiar a situation, the less comfortable a player feels on the court.
What Does This Mean?
You should develop your net game. The ability to approach and play from the net gives you options in a match, and pressurises your opponent into playing tough shots.
There are three main opportunities to get to the net:
1. Serve and volley. Move forward as soon as you serve. It’s a decision made prior to serving, so there should be no hesitation.
2. Approach the net when you receive a short ball during a baseline rally. Since the incoming ball is short, you will already be on your way to the net when you hit the approach shot.
3. Approach off an opponent’s weak serve. All serves are by definition short balls. Pressurise the server by getting to the net, forcing her to make and implement a quick decision.
What Does This Mean for Your Tennis?
If you put your opponent under pressure with a good shot, but stay at the baseline, she can often recover with a high ball that buys her time to get back into the rally. But that same ‘buy time’ shot would allow you to hit an easy volley winner if you were at the net.
This is the ninth article in our Tennis Unlocked series by one of Ireland’s most experienced coaches, Peter Farrell. The series will build into a library of knowledge, specifically designed for club-level players, that can help make your match play more effective.
