THE 5 MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO WIN POINTS


Winning points in tennis is more than just hitting big shots—there are multiple ways to win points, and as a coach, your job is to help your players develop these winning options. Here are five different ways to help your players win points more in competition.

1. Take Time Away from Your Opponent

Time is precious for a tennis player, and the less time your opponent has to react, the more pressure they feel. When your opponent is rushed, they are more likely to make errors or poor decisions that you can take advantage of. There are two main ways to take time away from opponents:

  • Play Inside the Court – Encourage your players to step forward over the baseline and take the ball earlier on every opportunity. I call this "Inside Feet". This reduces the amount of time your opponent has to react to their next shot. Playing inside the baseline also allows you to take control of the point - you're playing proactively while your opponent is forced to react to your shots. 

  • Increase Ball Speed – By hitting with more pace, you're doing the same thing as taking the ball earlier; you're giving your opponent less time to adjust. Unfortunately, this is the "go-to" method of most players, particularly in the women's game. However, when combined with taking balls earlier, it can be a very effective one-two punch to help put an opponent under time pressure and into a weak situation.

2. Use Superior Strategy

Winning points effectively is also about knowing where to hit the ball and how to structure points. Players with a clear plan, even a basic one, tend to perform better than those without any plan at all. Teach your players to:

  • Identify Their Opponent’s Weaknesses – Every opponent has strengths and weaknesses. Some struggle with high-bouncing balls, and others dislike fast-paced rallies. Encourage players to analyse their opponents early in the match and develop plans that will exploit their weaknesses. 

  • Avoid Their Opponent’s Strengths – Just as important as attacking weaknesses is staying away from strengths. If an opponent has a strength, you need to avoid feeding into that strength as much as possible.

  • Keep the Opponent Guessing – By mixing up ball heights, width, speeds, and placement, you can prevent opponents from getting into a rhythm and playing their best tennis. 

"Eventually, every trend in tennis needs 
to adapt and develop as opponents 
learn how to counter that style of play"

3. Build Consistency and Patience

Many points are won simply by making fewer mistakes. Often, players lose points because they try to force an immediate winner rather than waiting for the right opportunity. To build consistency and patience, players should:

  • Hit with a Margin for Error – Instead of aiming for the lines, players should target safer areas of the court, such as three feet inside the lines and deep in the opponent’s court. This reduces unforced errors and keeps them in the point longer.

  • Use Depth and Placement to Control Rallies – Deep shots keep opponents pinned behind the baseline, preventing them from attacking. Players should practice hitting deep, high-percentage shots that force their opponents into defensive positions.

  • Develop a Reliable Rally Ball – Having a solid, repeatable shot that can be hit under pressure is crucial. Players should focus on developing a consistent rally shot that they can rely on in extended exchanges, rather than always seeking an aggressive winner.

4. Win with Variety

A predictable player is easier to beat. If an opponent knows exactly what shot is coming next, they can prepare and counter effectively. Adding variety to a player’s game can disrupt an opponent’s rhythm and force them into uncomfortable positions. To win with variety, players should:

  • Change the Pace and Spin – Players can use slices, topspin, and flat shots to keep opponents guessing. A sudden change in spin or speed can throw an opponent off and lead to errors.

  • Use Drop Shots, Slices, and Angles – Adding soft shots like drop shots and angles forces opponents to move more and deal with different ball trajectories. These shots can break up an opponent’s rhythm and create opportunities to finish points.

  • Vary Their Serve Placement – Serving to different locations—wide, body, and T—makes it harder for the opponent to read and attack the serve. A well-placed serve can set up an easy follow-up shot and put the server in control of the point.

5. Develop Superior Fitness

Tennis is a physically demanding sport, and endurance can be the difference between winning and losing. The best players in the world not only possess excellent skills but also superior fitness, which allows them to outlast their opponents. Players should focus on:

  • Speed and Agility – Quick footwork enables players to get into position faster and maintain balance while taking shots. Agility drills, sprint training, and reaction exercises can help improve movement on the court.

  • Strength Training – Stronger players can hit with more power and maintain shot quality even late in matches. A well-rounded strength program should focus on developing strength in the legs, core, and upper body to enhance stability and improve shot production.

  • Flexibility and Injury Prevention – Flexibility allows for a greater range of motion and helps prevent injuries. Stretching, yoga, and mobility exercises can improve a player’s movement and recovery.

By training these five areas, players can develop a well-rounded game that helps them win more points and, ultimately, more matches. As a coach, reinforcing these habits will give your players a serious competitive edge and improve their overall success on the court.

 

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

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