Tip of the Week: Use Deep and Short to Win the Point

With the new technology in the modern game, many players tend to use speed and hitting it through the player to win the point. A better idea is to keep the ball deep and push the player back, setting up a big opening in front of your opponent.

Players have a difficult time moving forward in general these days, but it is even more difficult for your opponent if you are using depth to push them back and then intentionally hitting it in front of them once they are on their back foot.

Your short ball doesn’t have to be a drop shot-a low slice or even a low flat shot that lands inside the service line is very effective once you have established a few deep shots at the beginning of the point. Adding some angle to your shot is even more difficult to cover since they will have to move forward and to the outside of the court to get to the ball.

Try this idea and it should result in you making less mistakes on your end and more running on your opponent’s side of the net.


Steve Annacone, USPTA Elite Pro, is the Director of Annacone Tennis (http://www.annaconetennis.com). For details on lessons and camps at Sag Harbor Park Tennis and throughout the Hamptons this summer contact sannacone@annaconetennis.com or management@annaconetennis.com

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March/April 2024 Digital Edition