Second in a series on Countering Styles

The heavy topspin player will wear you down until you lose patience looking for quick winners or attacking the net without rushing or unbalancing him first. Most of them like to camp out in the backhand corner hitting big forehands. They usually hit with a lot of spin, so when the ball hits the court, it kicks up.

If you’re not a similar style, you must attack well against these players. Your frame of mind is important here. Accept that:

• You will be passed.
• You will watch some topspin lobs land behind you.
• It may take a while to break him down.

Method of attack: 

1. Your own serve is your biggest weapon in this fight

• • Keep him off balance by serving sixty percent three quarter pace first serves concentrating on placement. The body serve is important because most top spinners take big loopy swings.
  • Take advantage of an extreme forehand grip by hitting slice serve wide. The opponent has a lot less leverage when stretched out.
  • Forty percent hard serves so he can’t settle down to one pace.
  • Serve and volley some of the time especially at 30-40, 40-30 and Ad.

2.  The 2^nd shot off the return is key

• • If the 2^nd shot is off a shorter return, you must attack the ball to take command of the point and create chances to move forward.
  • If the 2^nd shot is a volley, volley behind the player a lot, and cut off volleys short (not drop volleys, but turning away volleys cross court).
  • When you do attack the net, don’t forget one of the most neglected approach shots, down the middle deep to jam him up and take away this style’s lifeblood – passes made on the run. If he runs around his backhand to hit forehands, the down the middle shot might actually be farther over to his backhand side.

3. Return of serve

• • Make a high volume of returns off the 1^st serve using height. Don’t be too proud to stand well back to achieve this. As you get used to his serve, you can step up into the court to rush him more.
  • Chip and charge on the return at times early in the match. You may get passed a lot early, but if you can stay even, when it comes to critical parts of the match, maybe he’ll miss because of the continued pressure.
  • Step up into the court when returning 2^nd Hit early to rush him. Remember, hitting early doesn’t always mean hitting hard. If you see him in trouble, move in to volley.

4. Do not press to take control

Just because you hit a good 2^nd shot or return of serve does not mean you keep control of the point. Often the opponent will counter with good length or spin. In this case, settle down and look for an opportunity to attack. Do not press.

5. Countering topspin with flat balls is a losing proposition

If you feel confident with your own topspin, counter him with topspin. If your topspin cannot match his, chip him to death (Backspin). If you try to hit flat against heavy topspin, your ball will land short.

6. Hit short wide balls with backspin

Short wide balls with backspin drives this type of player nuts.

7. Hit at them

Heavy top spinners can be jammed because they take big loopy swings. Hit at them.