The Jensen Zone: Okay! Here’s the Situation

Let’s get the tennis ball rolling into a new you on the tennis court! A new approach to a tactical you and how about the Americans at a red white and blue 2017 U.S. Open?!

As usual, I am pumped up about a new edition to the Jensen Zone. So many things to cover, but I can only do it in so many words.

I have been developing an idea for players who go into the arena against a steadier opponent or more experienced team. If you play their game, they will beat you. Maybe your game is their game and they just do it better than you.

I may have the best formula to attack and even best that type of opponent. Our game is pretty straightforward … players that hold serve and break serve win. Digging deeper into that is the critical 15-30 point. Players who can capitalize in that scenario win the close matches. Imagine if you could be that server that can get out of a 15-30 jam and hold serve. How about you are returning at 15-30 and can jump on your opponent and get the break of serve?

I have always loved watching matches at all levels of play because no matter what skill level, from Wimbledon champion to lower more recreational tennis, the match is always won and lost in how players succeed and fail in situations. I call it situational tennis.

Now how do you play in certain situations? How do you start a match? What kind of adjustments to do you make if any at all through the first set. How do you finish sets? How do you start the next set? Finally … how do you close out a match? I didn’t even get into how you play when you are down a break or even a set and a break.

Let’s stick with a situation where you find out pretty early on in the contest you don’t have your stuff. You quickly find that your current level of play is just is not going to be enough to win. In this case, I present you with “The Disrupter Strategy.” When you use the word “disrupter,” what comes to mind? A trouble maker, unpredictable and a nuisance? Yes … all of the above! I knew in certain match ups that I needed to be that disrupter to give myself the very best chance to win. Now that meant playing a game that is completely opposite of what my opponent wants to play. Tennis players like rhythm and getting in a groove. Well today, you are going to be the anti-groove and rhythmic player. Anything you can do to disrupt the other side.

So, okay, here we go …

Set up a battle plan where you try a different tactical approach on every point. Maybe start with a drop shot as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Then, on the next point, try a moon ball high to the back hand and see what kind of reply your opponent has to the high ball. Then a serve and volley or SABR blitz play where you come to the net on a short ball. You could then combine a series of shots from one topspin to one underspin through the rally. Maybe go cross-court the entire point, followed by going down the line the entire next point. So many ways to throw off the other side. Once you have tried all of these plays in the first couple of games, remind yourself to see what works. If you find something that wins you the point … KEEP DOING IT!

Playing disruptive tennis can be creative and fun. You will explore new areas of your game and expand your shot selection. You never know when a situation will come up and you will need a unique play to help you win the big point that makes the difference between chump and champ!

Now, for a little bit on the Americans at the 2017 U.S. Open …

If you had a crystal ball and saw such a great run by the Stars and Stripes, I hope you cashed in because there was always hope that we had enough talent to turn the corner, but wow! Four amazing American women in the semis and one was not Serena! They all played with such great courage and confidence. I’m so happy for them and the future of American tennis. There is always promise, but until there is confidence and courage, talent will never be enough. Sloane is such a gracious champion, and the way she was more concerned about her friend Madison Keys impressed me so much. When the moment was all about Sloane and all Sloane wanted to do is give her friend a hug, that shows enormous personal character in my book. Madison Keys will learn from a bad match in the finals, but building off a great run to get there, she will win her Slam down the road. I will never forget how American tennis power flexed its muscle in the 2017 U.S. Open and declared to the tennis world that the American charge is on!

See you on the courts!