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April 1998 Article Tennis Anyone Archives:
Tennis Server
Top Pros (Women)
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The foundation of sound tactical play is knowing one's limits. This can be accomplished by honestly assessing one's game. But understanding one's limits is only half the foundation. A player must be willing to play within those limits once they have been established. However, good tactics don't mean one should play conservatively or timidly all the time. A player must learn to play up to one's limits as well. When there is an opportunity to play aggressively (go for it!) and hit with authority - do so. Just as it is tactically sound to play consistently, it also is sound to play forcefully when the opportunity presents itself. Jim Courier and Andre Agassi are aggressive baseliners with relatively weak volleys, so their singles stretegy is based on a powerful groundstroke game. Their groundstrokes give them the widest range of options. They have defined clearly the strengths of their games and use them while avoiding the weaker aspects. There are strategic limits to various shots. For example:
A player's weaknesses must be worked on to widen their strategic options. The limits of one's stoke mechanics restrict the variety of strategic options, but adding new strokes to your repertoire can widen those options. For example:
1994 - 2002 | 2003 - 2012
This column is copyrighted by John Mills, all rights reserved.
John Mills currently teaches tennis at the University of Houston, Clear Lake campus. John Mills' experience includes four years as head pro at the Windemere Racquet & Swim Club, where he was responsible for organization of all tennis activities at the club. John also played college tennis at the University of Houston and has spent 20 years teaching tennis at the Memorial Park Tennis Center, the Pasadena Racquet Club, and as the head pro at the Bay Area Racquet Club.
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