Don't Make Your Opponent Look Good!

A couple of days after the match Roddick - Federer at the Australian Open 2007, a friend of mine said "it is impossible to beat a 'Mister'...like Federer..."

I answered:

My friend I watched the match and I think that it is still more impossible for his opponents;

When the attacks to the net are made cross court, instead of down the line.

When the same attacks are made with topspin perfectly set within the striking zone of your opponent, instead of sliced and low!

When the low volleys at the net are a misery.

When you can not make a put away volley unless you are inches from the net.

When during a whole match, the variations of a service of 240km do not include reducing the first service to 190km with "extreme kick " (high on the backhand) and going behind it to the net from time to time.

When a player is limited to hitting the ball inside the "striking zone" of the adversary, with a perfect rhythm for the adversary to give it a spanking at will.

When the player did not understand that the most vulnerable point of Federer in a rally is the deep high ball with a lot of topspin that jumps above the shoulder of Federer (especially on the backhand side).

When the player does not know that when he engages in an exchange of slices on the backhand, he should have the consistency to maintain the duel until the other player loses patience and gives you a topspin and by doing so by raising the ball, this will permit you to unleash a conclusive strike!

When the player did not understand that the most vulnerable point of Federer on the serve is his second service and you MUST pressure it by getting inside the court and mount down the line attacks!... until he breaks down, double faults or misses passing shots! But this has to be done the whole match from point one!

When the player did not understand that the most vulnerable point of Federer on the volley is that Federer is prone to errors on the forehand volley, amazingly his baseline stronger side. A smart player, would have picked up this weakness, give Federer short low balls to bring him into the net and go for the pass on the forehand side.

When the player is not prepared not to give up an inch of the court acquired, instead of running hopelessly backwards like a crazy butterfly 3 to 6 yards behind the baseline.

Finally, when someone talks like a loser he is going to lose like a loser!

When everything is done like this, it is really impossible to beat that "Mister"!

All in all you can make your opponent look as good as you are willing to!
Those were my words to my friend.

But what is in all of this for you?

Simple, never, never, ever let your opponent feel comfortable with his game!

If you are losing badly, change tactics, find a way to bother and get him out of rhythm.

If he likes high balls, play low balls.

If he likes pace, give him no pace.

If he likes flat shots, play them with plenty of spin, top or slice.

If he likes to run, play to his body!

If he likes low balls, play deep and high heavy topspin balls!

If he likes to attack and get close to the net give him a series of lobs for good measure and when he decides not to get too close to the net pass him instead...or take the net away from him by going there yourself!

If he likes to serve and volley, return to his shoe laces, make him volley high and then pass him.

If he is impatient and likes to finish points quick, be steady, play deep and be patient, make him play long rallies.

If he rushes between points, use your full 20 seconds, slow him down!

If he is a net rusher, play deep and pin him to the baseline.

If he returns wide balls well, serve to his body!

If he is slow, play the corners and make him run!

If he likes to run side to side on the baseline (Nadal) a smart play is to hit short low balls to bring him into the net unwillingly and go for the pass.

Yes, always do the opposite of what your opponent likes, frustrate him, rile him, get him off balance and out of the comfort zone and you will win more matches like this then with the most beautiful strokes you may produce!

Keep on working on your game on a daily basis, be smart, learn to find your opponents weaknesses, dislikes and present them to him on a consistent basis.

Enjoy your tennis!

For comments or ideas about this article please email the author Sergio Cruz

Hit The Ball Away From Your Opponent

"Hit the ball away from your opponent into the gaps and not to him unless you mean it as a surprise. You achieve this largely by hitting for the lines. Learn to put the ball where you aim it." Mr. Harry Hopman (The best tennis Coach of all time!)

This quote at first seems to be over simplistic but, once you start watching match play even at pro level you start to see how meaningful it is!

How often do you see even professional players trade shots cross court to each other just a step or two away from the centre of the court, almost as if they were trying to bust a brick wall? It is indeed an exercise of energy waist as well as plain lack of global vision of the limits of tennis court and for the spectator just a boring event.

Tennis is a sport destined for the ones who can run and I mean run fast! So if you can run never be afraid to use the court limits, lines included. This does not mean that you have to go for winners at every single ball that comes your way. It means that you should move the ball around as much as you can e.g. your opponent and for that you need to develop accuracy and the ability to play all corners of the tennis court whether it is long, deep, short, angled, but always playing the corners and near the lines! This applies for the serve as well as volleys and any other shot.

The cross court shot is the safest "percentage" I understand that, but if you think you are going to win big by just being consistent and keeping the ball in play, think twice all you got to do is watch how Roger Federer dismantles the likes of Hewitt, Roddick, Lubjic and many others.

The only one that was threatening Federer was Nadal, but like every other great champion, Roger figured him out by realizing that Nadal hits a short ball on every first or second shot and now Roger steps inside the court more often and has Nadal on string as well!

I am talking about the pros because they are your idols and I am sure that you are more likely to be glued to your TV screen or on site at the Australia, French, Wimbledon or US Open or any other tennis tournament throughout the year and see what I just said, then at your club watching some clever "dude" play that you think you can beat anyway. But, oh yes, I too do get glued to that TV! And I am an old geezer!

Actually I must confess to you, all my life since my twelve's, my yearly calendar is ruled by the big 4 and any other tennis event! I know...it is bad...but when you love the game that is how it is! Anyway forget about it, using the whole court is also for the club player, I know this will be a heart breaker for the big bellied boobies, but you better trim up or your "buddy" that just read this article will have you running left and right, back and forth like a puppet on a string! :)))

Ok, now let us refocus and keep this simple, here are 3 ways to boost your courage and get used to play the lines:

- 2 practice partners. Place 4 round markers (low plastic ones that you can step on without danger, they look like UFO discs and come in several colours) at the baseline near the corners 3 feet from the baseline and 1 foot from the sideline. Hold 3 balls in your pockets and so does your practice partner. Decide who will go up the line and who will go cross. Start drilling immediately to the corners and for as many shots without missing as possible until all balls are played. Take a breather and reverse the cross court with the down the line and repeat the drill, do this 4 or 6 times.

- 2 practice partners. Add 4 round markers one foot bellow the service line corners and 1 foot from the side line. Repeat the drill and use the service cones for cross angle shots or short balls up the line. Once the short ball is applied, I advocate trying to come in on this ball by chipping it up the line or drop shot up the line (do not go cross court) and from then on play the point out at the net. Once all 6 balls are exhausted, take a breather and reverse the cross court with the down the line and repeat the drill, do this 4 or 6 times.

- 3 practice partners. One at the net on the T line and 2 at the baseline. Place 4 cones on one side of the court only. 2 round markers 3 feet inside the service line corners and 1 foot from the side line and 2 round markers at each side of the at the baseline near the corners no 3 feet from the baseline and 1 foot from the sideline. The baseliners do not hit winners they will move the volleyer around the net side to side and when he cloese in too much give him the occassional lob. The volleyer tries to mix deep well placed (to the target zones) volleys with angle volleys and drop volleys as appropriate.

This article is for you and in honour of Mr. Harry Hopman which was indeed the very best clear headed Coach one could meet.