Play Smarter, Not Harder
4 Winning Tennis Strategies Backed by the Pros
Want to win more matches without changing your whole game? The secret is strategy. The world’s top coaches agree: smart decisions matter more than big winners.
And here’s the fun part → these strategies are simple enough for families, juniors, and even park players to try today.
Strategy #1: Own the “First Four” Shots
(Craig O’Shannessy – ATP Strategy Analyst)
Did you know? 70% of all points in pro tennis finish within 4 shots.
That means what you do on the serve, return, and the very next shot decides most rallies.
On Serve: Have a go-to pattern (e.g., wide serve → forehand to the open space).
On Return: Aim deep middle. It buys time and forces mistakes.
Try this: Play a mini game where rallies can only last 4 shots. If you don’t finish the point by then, restart.
Strategy #2: Repeat What Works
(Patrick Mouratoglou – Coach of Serena Williams)
Great tennis isn’t about variety, it’s about reliability. Mouratoglou tells his players to find their A-pattern (your favourite point-winning play) and use it again and again.
Example: Serve to the backhand → attack with forehand cross.
Fun stat: Rafael Nadal hit over 70% of his forehands cross-court in his prime. Why? It worked!
Strategy #3: Follow the Directional Rule
(Paul Wardlaw – American Coach)
Confused about shot selection? Here’s the easiest rule in tennis:
If the ball crosses your body → play it back cross-court.
If the ball doesn’t cross your body → that’s your chance to change direction.
Why? Cross-court = lower net, longer court, safer target.
Stat check: 75% of rally balls on the pro tour go cross-court.
Strategy #4: Winning Ugly is Still Winning
(Brad Gilbert – Author of Winning Ugly)
Brad Gilbert, once world #4, made a career by out-thinking opponents. His rule? You don’t need highlight shots—you just need to make life uncomfortable for your rival.
Play to their weaker wing.
Mix pace and spin.
Change rhythm when they’re too comfortable.
Gilbert beat Becker, McEnroe, and Agassi… without a huge serve or forehand. Proof that brain beats brawn.
Family-Friendly Drill
The “First Four Challenge”
Server calls their pattern (e.g., serve wide → forehand cross).
Rally can only last 4 shots max.
Winner is first to 7 points.
It’s fun, quick, and teaches kids that matches are decided early, not after 20-ball rallies.
How to Pick YOUR Strategy in a Match
What’s my weapon? (Serve, forehand, speed?)
Where’s their weakness? (Backhand, slow footwork?)
What are the conditions? (Wind = safer shots, Heat = use spin & margin)
Stick with it! Run your plan for 10 points before changing.
Bottom line: Tennis is a thinking sport.
Play smarter, copy the pros, and even the youngest juniors can start using these winning tricks.
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