A Look at the 4 Main Styles of Tennis PlayRachael Hesling

A Look at the 4 Main Styles of Tennis Play

In singles tennis, getting to know your opponent’s preferred playing style is the all-important first step in figuring out how to beat them. If you can identify which category of players your opponent falls into, you’ll be better able to exploit their weaknesses, avoid playing to their strengths, and gain the upper edge in your match. Read on for a guide to the four principal styles of tennis play, as well as key tactics and strategies you can use against each type of player.

Playing Style #1: The Aggressive Baseliner

As the name implies, the aggressive baseliner is all about dictating play and maintaining overall control of the game. To achieve this, the aggressive baseliner typically relies on the strength of their groundstrokes, which are powerful enough to keep their opponents moving around the court, and which can yield winners even from the back of the court. These bold players favor angled shots and attacks on short balls in the court, and they are often comfortable risking the possibility of an unforced error if they have the chance of hitting a winner. However, they do not usually like to come to the net, and as a result, their volley is one of their main weak points.

How to beat the aggressive baseliner

Hit deep—Deep shots into the back of the court are a key tactic in defeating the aggressive baseliner, as they will consistently hit winners if balls are delivered near the service line.

Vary your shots—Aggressive baseliners are at their strongest when they get a consistent rhythm of shots from their opponent. Prevent this by varying the height and spin of your balls. Mixing up high bouncing shots with lower, slicing shots will keep the aggressive baseliner on their toes and stop them from getting into a comfortable groove.

Bring them to the net—As aggressive baseliners don’t like to come to the net, forcing them to do just that is an important tactic. Mix in drop shots that give them no choice but to come forward and use their weaker volley.

Playing Style #2: The Serve-and-Volleyer

Opponents facing a serve-and-volleyer will be subject to constant pressure. That’s because these players focus on attacking the net right away, coming to the net after almost every first serve, or as soon as possible within a rally. Serve-and-volleyers are often able to end a point quickly by serving, hitting a well-placed first volley to open the court, and immediately hitting a finishing volley.

How to beat the serve-and-volleyer

Focus on your return of serve—Because the serve is such a weapon for the serve-and-volleyer, you’ll need a proactive return of serve if you hope to beat them. Change up your return location and go for down-the-line returns, as these are the hardest returns from which a first volley can be hit.

Go for sharply angled shots with heavy topspin—Plenty of topspin will allow you to hit angled, cross-court shots, and will also help you drop the ball quickly at your opponent’s feet. This leaves them little choice but to hit up on their volleys, which gives you an easier volley to return.

Keep them on the baseline—Serve-and-volleyers usually lack a strong enough groundstroke to be aggressive from the baseline; that’s why they like to be up closer to the net. If you can force them to rally from the baseline and prevent them from coming up to the net, you can take away much of their consistency.

Playing Style #3: The Counterpuncher

Also known as the “pusher,” the counterpuncher follows the mantra of “consistent defense.” The counterpuncher’s typical strategy is to wear opponents down to the point where they eventually make an error; counterpunchers will rarely make errors themselves, overcommit themselves, or hit winners. High speed and good court coverage, as well as dogged consistency, make counterpunchers particularly hard to beat at the beginner or intermediate level.

How to beat the counterpuncher

Attack the net—Counterpunchers don’t like to do anything in a hurry. Attacking the net aggressively and putting the pressure on can rush them into making mistakes.

Hit behind them—Counterpunchers’ good court coverage comes from their ability to run to the open court; put them on the wrong foot by hitting balls behind them. This strategy will draw more balls that you can attack, and can even result in an error from the counterpuncher.

Be patient—Your own impatience is the counterpuncher’s best weapon against you. Be patient as you construct the points you need to get your opening to the net, and accept that you may end up hitting more balls than you want to. Keeping cool and not getting flustered will help you beat the counterpuncher at their own game.

Playing Style #4: The All-Court Player

Fully comfortable with many different shots, all-court players are adaptable players who are great at using whatever shot is best-matched to their opponent’s weakness. However, the very fact that they can use such a variety of shots is where their own weakness lies. As the “jack of all trades, master of none” saying goes, all-court players don’t usually have a single shot that is their strongest, most consistent weapon.

How to beat the all-court player

Stick to your weapon—If you have a strong weapon, whether it’s your forehand or your consistency, stick to it as much as possible. All-court players can have a tough time breaking down their opponent’s better weapon.

Dictate the points—All-court players are extremely aggressive; to overcome them, you must be equally aggressive, focusing on taking control of the points and dictating play whenever possible.