What Can Influence Your Tennis Match Play?

Have you been watching some of the top tennis1 Your opponents tactical strengths and weaknesses,
players at Indian Wells? I hope you are having fun andhow can you counter your opponents game plan?
enjoying and learning more about tennis. How to playYou have to be aware of the way your opponent hits
better a tennis match, a good answer is to be betterthe ball, direction, height, depth, speed and spin. As soon
prepared by understanding what is likely to affect youras you realise what your opponent is going to do with
style of match play. I have made a list to help youthe ball you can then anticipate the direction of where
recognize the different aspects of you the player, yourthe ball is going.
opponent and the conditions you have to play in.2 Remember your opponent will also be aware of you,
You the player.and what you are doing? There will be times in a
1 Playing standard and capabilities, are you a beginnermatch that your opponent is playing the best tennis,
or an advance player?you have to accept that and keep adjusting your level
2 Understand your tactics, do you have a game plan?of performance to bring yourself back into the match.
Are you going to try your best to keep the ball in play.The environment.
Use your best weapon, when your opponent plays a1 Know what type of surface you are playing on?
weak return, is your best weapon your forehand? If soSlow, medium or fast courts? A lot of people do not
go ahead and use it. Let your opponent know you arelike playing on a slow court because you have to rally
going to play to the best of your ability.for long periods, and be very patient. Do you like that
3 How do you react when the pressure is on? Aretype of surface? Do you know many opponents who
you a quitter or do you react by learning to controlbecome impatient when you rally with them for more
your feelings with a positive attitude? When you havethan six rallies?
just completed playing a really hard rally and lost the2 Do you prefer to play in the wind or rain? Maybe
point, do you look to take the positive attitude by takingyou like the sun or altitude? Be prepared, if you know
a deep breath to release your tension? Then continueyour opponent does not like playing in the sun and you
the battle to play the best you can.do, what is your best option?
Your Opponent.