Best ways to close out a match when you are running out of steam?
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
Played a young fella the other night.
First set I was down 0/4 starting out a bit tight, but was able to run-off 4 straight to tie it up at 4/4. Eventually he won the first set though 7/5 and that was over an hour with a LOT of deuce games and longer points. Second set I was on a roll though and rocked him 6/2 or 6/1 in just 30 minutes. Decided to play a 3 rd set in lieu of a TB and we went back and forth. Ended up starting to get leg cramps though and blew it serving for the match at 5/4. He held again and I was broke to get to 5/6, but I was not interested in a TB and spent, so threw the last game to give him the win.
So don't do that.
First set I was down 0/4 starting out a bit tight, but was able to run-off 4 straight to tie it up at 4/4. Eventually he won the first set though 7/5 and that was over an hour with a LOT of deuce games and longer points. Second set I was on a roll though and rocked him 6/2 or 6/1 in just 30 minutes. Decided to play a 3 rd set in lieu of a TB and we went back and forth. Ended up starting to get leg cramps though and blew it serving for the match at 5/4. He held again and I was broke to get to 5/6, but I was not interested in a TB and spent, so threw the last game to give him the win.
So don't do that.
speedysteve
Legend
Slow down.
Take as much time as you can between points - within reason.
Channel your inner Nadal
Grab that oxygen.
Take your time at end changes, sit in shade or under parasol if possible -
Take full 90 secs, if they get snotty about it, brush it off with "that's what the pros get etc"
Hydrate, electrolyte, eat dates etc.
Gentle massage with Massage gun..
If you can, shorten the points - trade off against UEs.
Take as much time as you can between points - within reason.
Channel your inner Nadal
Grab that oxygen.
Take your time at end changes, sit in shade or under parasol if possible -
Take full 90 secs, if they get snotty about it, brush it off with "that's what the pros get etc"
Hydrate, electrolyte, eat dates etc.
Gentle massage with Massage gun..
If you can, shorten the points - trade off against UEs.
MyFearHand
Professional
Since you're up a break play very quickly and aggressively in his service games. If you end up winning a couple consecutive easy points to go 30-0 up then dig in a bit. If you lose okay whatever. Now it's your service game, just be willing to suffer. You're not expending energy in his service games but you better give it your all when you're serving. You only need to hold two more times to win.
Dragy
Legend
Focus on your first serves: stay disciplined and stick to options that are reliable while producing errors/short returns. You just need 2 more service games.
On his service, return aggressively and press forward - by decisions and targets rather than effort. If you manage to break him again - it’s done. If not, still have your games and not expending whatever you’ve got left in the tank.
Some above comments were great. Overall, brace up and finish the job.
On his service, return aggressively and press forward - by decisions and targets rather than effort. If you manage to break him again - it’s done. If not, still have your games and not expending whatever you’ve got left in the tank.
Some above comments were great. Overall, brace up and finish the job.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, that is if you have a good serve and can win points/games practically relying on it. It's a nice option to have.
Personally, I've been a good returner for a while, but the serve has only recently improved.
If your serve is good enough, that what "options are reliable to you" might surprise your opponents, such as adding some heat to your second serve, or using puff first serve, if they stay way back.
Last edited:
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Sorry I always forget, but you must be at least a 4.5, right?
Happy Holidays and hats off for your insights and help on these forum. You also got a way of expressing concepts
Daniel Andrade
Hall of Fame
If it really seems like it might be possible to lose because of long points due to lack of physique I try to shorten points, I play inside the court, I return inside the court as well and so on, sometimes it works!
Dragy
Legend
I think based on match results I’ll conservatively say 4.0. I’m pretty confident not to give away much against a 3.5 since I cut on most of self-destruction I used to do couple of years ago, while retaining good serving and ability to construct points.Sorry I always forget, but you must be at least a 4.5, right?
Happy Holidays and hats off for your insights and help on these forum. You also got a way of expressing concepts
Whether I can be competitive against 4.5s is an open question, as I don’t have NTRP or UTR ranked opponents to gauge against. I’m keen to record my next match, man up and post it
Dragy
Legend
All the best to you as well, and wish 2023 to be a much better yearSorry I always forget, but you must be at least a 4.5, right?
Happy Holidays and hats off for your insights and help on these forum. You also got a way of expressing concepts
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Like someone else said, we older players want to "maintain" lolAll the best to you as well, and wish 2023 to be a much better year
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Yeah and in regards to 4.5 vs 4.0 result wise conservatively, that's also probably due to the fact of tennis being a sports of errors. Even if we cut them down, apparently the ratio of UE to winners is 3:1 for rec players and 2:1 for pros.I think based on match results I’ll conservatively say 4.0. I’m pretty confident not to give away much against a 3.5 since I cut on most of self-destruction I used to do couple of years ago, while retaining good serving and ability to construct points.
Whether I can be competitive against 4.5s is an open question, as I don’t have NTRP or UTR ranked opponents to gauge against. I’m keen to record my next match, man up and post it
Last edited:
forzmr_b
Rookie
Had followed this thread and tried to apply the advice given thus far, but failed hahaha…
Context:
My first session since succumbing to dengue fever and a lung infection concurrently. In fact, I’m still finishing up my 2nd course of antibiotics. So not fully recovered.
Run down of the match:
Won 1st set comfortably 6-1, winning 60+% of the points. 2nd set started with 4 long games where nobody held serve. At this point, I was winded and never recovered physically. My crucial mistake was not resting enough when I was up 3-2 (it was a social game so I wanted to avoid gamesmanship). Proceeded to lose 2nd set 3-6.
Opponent was gracious enough to suggest a final 10pt tiebreaker set, knowing I was spent. By this point I was mis-hitting lots due to heavy feet or being late on shots. Blew my 2-0 lead with a double-fault. Was even thereafter with deuces every other point. I blew 2 match points before saving his 1st. Blew my 3rd match point. He finally won on his 2nd match point when I was late to an attempted volley winner to an open court that went well wide!
Video of Tie-breaker set (5mins long), I’m the righty:
Full match (25mins long):
Context:
My first session since succumbing to dengue fever and a lung infection concurrently. In fact, I’m still finishing up my 2nd course of antibiotics. So not fully recovered.
Run down of the match:
Won 1st set comfortably 6-1, winning 60+% of the points. 2nd set started with 4 long games where nobody held serve. At this point, I was winded and never recovered physically. My crucial mistake was not resting enough when I was up 3-2 (it was a social game so I wanted to avoid gamesmanship). Proceeded to lose 2nd set 3-6.
Opponent was gracious enough to suggest a final 10pt tiebreaker set, knowing I was spent. By this point I was mis-hitting lots due to heavy feet or being late on shots. Blew my 2-0 lead with a double-fault. Was even thereafter with deuces every other point. I blew 2 match points before saving his 1st. Blew my 3rd match point. He finally won on his 2nd match point when I was late to an attempted volley winner to an open court that went well wide!
Video of Tie-breaker set (5mins long), I’m the righty:
Full match (25mins long):
Ooh i had a similar match about a week ago…won the 1st set 6-2…up 4-0 in the second and slipped on the clay and tweaked my hamstring. Lost quickly the next 4 games and my Stubborn brain said to just try to play 2 more and see what happens?
not sure at 4.0 if this will work but I started throwing up lobs for every shot right down the middle…it worked for me but I should have just retired, took me 3 days to recover and I was very lucky that I didn’t tear a muscle or worse!
not sure at 4.0 if this will work but I started throwing up lobs for every shot right down the middle…it worked for me but I should have just retired, took me 3 days to recover and I was very lucky that I didn’t tear a muscle or worse!
speedysteve
Legend
I played a match on Wednesday.
Won the first set 6-2.
Blinked and I was down 0-3 in the second set.
I decided to change racquet (bit more control), energised myself, cut down on unforced errors, made him run more, took my time so as not to run out of gas, and won 7 of the next 9 games. Closed it out 7-5.
Sometimes, shaking yourself up, breaking the mental / physical state that evolves in a match can really help.
Won the first set 6-2.
Blinked and I was down 0-3 in the second set.
I decided to change racquet (bit more control), energised myself, cut down on unforced errors, made him run more, took my time so as not to run out of gas, and won 7 of the next 9 games. Closed it out 7-5.
Sometimes, shaking yourself up, breaking the mental / physical state that evolves in a match can really help.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
I don’t think it is wise to change a winning strategy that puts you on the cusp of victory. If you get fatigued and try overtly to shorten points, your opponent will sense it, start playing better and the momentum might shift.
If you are getting fatigued to the point of almost cramping, it might make sense to go for more service winners, serve wide more and then hit a serve+1 into space or approach the net quickly. On returns, it is worthwhile to take more risks and go for bigger shots to set up a big return+1 shot.
If you are getting fatigued to the point of almost cramping, it might make sense to go for more service winners, serve wide more and then hit a serve+1 into space or approach the net quickly. On returns, it is worthwhile to take more risks and go for bigger shots to set up a big return+1 shot.
Dragy
Legend
I’ve just won a 2:15 match in super-TB after loosing 6:7 in the first and taking second 6:4
My opponent was invulnerable with his BH and used Tfight 305… and served strongly until late in the match.
Being lean and fit definitely helps, but even without feeling fatigue legs start to slow down. Need to remember, keep focus, stay low after SS and moving in. And serve, serve, serve - I ended it 10:7 with a down the T unreturned heater
My opponent was invulnerable with his BH and used Tfight 305… and served strongly until late in the match.
Being lean and fit definitely helps, but even without feeling fatigue legs start to slow down. Need to remember, keep focus, stay low after SS and moving in. And serve, serve, serve - I ended it 10:7 with a down the T unreturned heater
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Oh don't forget to praise your opponent best shot during the match and get into his head, b/c he would start thinking about it
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Heater from the deuce side? I also like a slider down the T from the add sideI’ve just won a 2:15 match in super-TB after loosing 6:7 in the first and taking second 6:4
My opponent was invulnerable with his BH and used Tfight 305… and served strongly until late in the match.
Being lean and fit definitely helps, but even without feeling fatigue legs start to slow down. Need to remember, keep focus, stay low after SS and moving in. And serve, serve, serve - I ended it 10:7 with a down the T unreturned heater
speedysteve
Legend
Oh don't forget to praise your opponent best shot during the match and get into his head, b/c he would start thinking about it
Ooh,, I've done that without trying to be malicious or winning ugly..
Is that what it does? - get inside their heads
Hence Djok etc doing it
Dragy
Legend
Yeah, I don’t feel the ad side slice well. Deuce wide got to decent level, get consistency, get unreturns and some acesHeater from the deuce side? I also like a slider down the T from the add side
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
I play some weak doubles twice a week (3.5) and I can practice my serve as much as I like (plus on my own), so I Iove the ad side slice down the T (also a flat one there, but that one is harder to get exactly at T), especially weaker players really try to defend their BH return (Plus I blast a few flat serves wide to their BH to keep them honest).
One the deuce side I serve 90% down the T (again against 3.5s righties who don't have a BH topspin return) and wide only as a variation.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
I had it done to me and done it to other peopleOoh,, I've done that without trying to be malicious or winning ugly..
Is that what it does? - get inside their heads
Hence Djok etc doing it
Especially if they start thinking about technique and how they hit it.
Dakota C
Rookie
Taking more risk. Each player should know their own game well enough to decide what parts of their game make sense to be more aggressive with.
The returner
Rookie
FFS champ get fitter !!!!!!!!!
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
I also do that when I can't move well, due to extra kilos
Bud
Bionic Poster
If you're getting dizzy, be careful. That's a warning sign that you're overheating. Get in the shade and pour some water over your head to lower you body temp. Ice packs work well too.
Take the full amount of time between points and on changeovers. Remove your shirt during changeovers.
While playing, at the first opportunity to get ahead in the point, take it. Keep rallies under 6 shots.
After the point, deep breaths from the diaphragm.
Drink lots of fluid with electrolytes and some easily digestible food (baby food in the squeeze packs work great.) I also like to drink one of those small sodas if my energy is fading.
Do all of this during the match before you start experiencing the tiredness and dizziness.
speedysteve
Legend
If you are not fit enough, do this when you are not playing tennis.
3 times a week should do it!
Start as a Karen and work up to a John
Don't miss part 2, and if you want, do the whole thing twice!
There's a warm up routine and a stretch routine for post workout.
It's certainly stood me in good stead.
The need to draw in oxygen between the alternate arm and leg exercises of PHA training is very similar to a tennis rally, have 20 secs to get balls, prep etc and then serve, over and over..
3 times a week should do it!
Start as a Karen and work up to a John
Don't miss part 2, and if you want, do the whole thing twice!
There's a warm up routine and a stretch routine for post workout.
It's certainly stood me in good stead.
The need to draw in oxygen between the alternate arm and leg exercises of PHA training is very similar to a tennis rally, have 20 secs to get balls, prep etc and then serve, over and over..
Last edited:
Similar threads
