5th in a series on countering styles
Big serve attackers build their game around holding serve – by hitting aces or big serves followed by short return put- aways. Their mindset is on pressuring the opponent by not getting their service games broken . This way they only need to break serve once per set themselves. Here are four things you can do to out the pressure back on them.
- The key against players like this is to be patient and not to be intimidated.
You know your big-serve attacker is going to hit a lot of winners. Your state of mind needs to prepare you to ignore their big shots and not be intimidated. Know that this type of player will run out of big shots if they have to hit enough of them. They want the points to end quickly. You need to be patient and drag the points out.
- You must return well!
Against this style, the difference between winning and losing is how well you return the serve.
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- Give your opponent different looks at your return set-up. Change position against their first serve by moving inside the baseline or backing up.
- Keep track of where they send their big bombs. It’s a mistake to position yourself in a neutral position against this style. Position yourself more towards their favorite hitting spots.
- Against the first serve, keep the swing compact and use the speed of the incoming ball. Remember, your goal against the first serve is to “neutralize” by not changing direction and keeping the ball deep.
- If the first serve is very strong, simply “block” the return back like a volley. If you use a continental grip, the return will have some backspin, which keeps the ball from bouncing up above the net.
- When they miss the first serve, you need to go into “attack mode”. This style doesn’t get broken very often. Attacking the second serve is the only way to give yourself an opportunity to break them.
- Be alert, hustle, and use height.
It is important to make this style hit as many big shots as possible. They are used to hitting winners or forcing errors within the first few shots. The more you stay alert, hustle, and force them into longer points, the better your chances of winning rallies. Higher balls land deeper. This type of opponent likes to attack early from inside the baseline. Keep them behind the baseline.
- Get them on the run
Once you take control of the point, get them on the run. They are usually bigger, slower players, so making them run is a great way to disarm them.
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