Choice of surface

[OHBH]

Say you have a match to play for $1000 versus an opponent you have never played before. You get to choose where the match will be played. A a plus you have been informed by a reliable source your opponent's weakest surface. Though you do not know any specifics about their game. Would your rather play on your best surface or their worst surface? Assuming they are not the same obviously.

Your best surface- easier to play your own game and less need to adapt to a new opponent

Their worst surface- you will need to adjust your game but it will be easier to exploit your opponent

[pvaudio]

And if they are one in the same? If you love clay and use huge looping strokes, chances are anyone you play will have clay as their least favorite.

[LeeD]

Since I think it's more important for me to control my own game than to hope for other's errors, I'd favor the court I play on the most, which is fast cement.

[OHBH]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

And if they are one in the same? If you love clay and use huge looping strokes, chances are anyone you play will have clay as their least favorite.

Well you are supposed to have no idea of how your opponent plays and they have no idea of how you play. So their least favorite surface is the one that their play is worst on overall, not against a particular opponent. So say your are a clay court player with big strokes but your opponents least favorite surface is hard court. So perhaps they are also a topspin junkie but their ball comes up short and gets punished on hardcourts. But you have had a lot of success in hardcourt matches so it may be worth it exploit them on the hardcourt instead of your usual grindfest.


I am a pretty well rounded player but in general i like a faster surface that maximizes my big serve. But if I know my opponent is poor on clay I would assume they may be a more of an attacking/flat hitting/ serve and volley type player than all court player and I could adapt my game to topspin them off the court.