How to play against… · 3 min read
Against the big server
You don’t need to break them often: once is enough. Improve your return, stay calm and take advantage of their second serves.
The plan
- Block, don’t swing: against a hard serve, short swing and block using their pace. Middle and deep.
- Change your return position: further back to buy time on the first, in closer on the second.
- Read the patterns: where do they serve on big points? Almost every server has a “go-to” serve.
- Keep your service games comfortable: if they hold quickly, you need to hold just as quickly so pressure doesn’t build.
- An ace is a point, not a game: don’t let the frustration carry over to your serve.
To review after the match
In the app, when you mark that your opponent was “Big server”, we ask whether you tried:
- I returned with a short, blocked swing
- I stood back on the first and stepped in on the second
- I read where they served on big points
- I held my service games quickly
To practice on court
Blocked return
Your partner serves from the service line (closer = more relative speed). Return only deep to the middle.
Goal: Reaction time and a compact return.
Fitness that helps
- Reactive split-step with cuesSplit-step and explosive first step in the direction shown on screen.
- Ball drop catchA partner drops a ball without warning; you sprint and catch it before the second bounce.
- Wall and ball: alternating catchesThrow a tennis ball against the wall and catch it alternating hands.
Ideas inspired by Brad Gilbert, “Winning Ugly” (ch. 8, “Destroying your opponent’s game plan”).