Winning Strategies for the Underdog

[WilsonWand12]

So I have horrible disadvantages in my game right now: I have no overhead smash, my returns of serve are very inconsistent, I rush some shots trying to hit a winner because I'm aware that my opponent is really fast, and my mentality to falter when my serve is broken. My groundstrokes are reliable, I can drive volley, my serve is failry consistent, my volleys are decent, I can serve and volley/transition to the it fairly well, and I can hit pretty darn good half volleys. I am improving all of these things as we speak, but considering that until I fully correct these, and I will be playing matches before that point, do you guys have any effective strategies for me that I can use to hopefully beat my rivals even though I don't have much to bring to the court?

[sundaypunch]

If you feel that you have very limited abilities, your best bet is to just try to get everything back in play and wait for the opponent to make a mistake. It may not be pretty, but minimizing unforced errors will be the biggest immediate help.

Note that I am not saying this is how you will improve as a player. Obviously you want to put in a lot of practice time. You can also experiment with playing more aggressively and dial it back as needed when it is clear that it's not working.

[TennisA]

If you say you can't hit winners too well, either
A) Play consistent like the guy above me said
and/or
B) Vary your shots. If your rivals love to rally during your matches, occasionally throw in the deep lob or short/deep slice. Maybe even rush the net every once in a while. Try and throw them out of their comfort zone.

[WilsonWand12]

Thanks guys! Great places to get started. From what I'm gathering, no matter how much it hurts my pride, I'm basically gonna have to play like Andy Murray pre-2012, lol!

[5263]

Originally Posted by WilsonWand12

Thanks guys! Great places to get started. From what I'm gathering, no matter how much it hurts my pride, I'm basically gonna have to play like Andy Murray pre-2012, lol!

or like in the 2012 US open wind.

[Larrysümmers]

Andy wins, a lot. Why not play like him

[tyu1314]

i was in the same situation before, but if he try to play more consistent, the better guy is more consistent than him, and hits more powerful consistent shot, what can he do?

[AnotherTennisProdigy]

The only way to beat a player that is better than you is to throw him off his game so he can't play well either. Get everything back, hit different kinds of shots, high ones, low slices.

[user92626]

One solid thing that any "underdog" could do to virtually aassure a win is increase their fitness and stamina to a level that they've never seen before.

For the next few weeks basically run up hills until your legs are sore and you're out of breath and can't do no more.

When you play like your running against any recreational player even 1 level above you, they won't stand a chance.

[LuckyR]

Originally Posted by WilsonWand12

So I have horrible disadvantages in my game right now: I have no overhead smash, my returns of serve are very inconsistent, I rush some shots trying to hit a winner because I'm aware that my opponent is really fast, and my mentality to falter when my serve is broken. My groundstrokes are reliable, I can drive volley, my serve is failry consistent, my volleys are decent, I can serve and volley/transition to the it fairly well, and I can hit pretty darn good half volleys. I am improving all of these things as we speak, but considering that until I fully correct these, and I will be playing matches before that point, do you guys have any effective strategies for me that I can use to hopefully beat my rivals even though I don't have much to bring to the court?

You don't mention in your post if you normally have a high or low percentage game. With so many holes (by your description) in your game you could make an argument for and against having a high percentage game as mentioned in post#2.

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by tyu1314

i was in the same situation before, but if he try to play more consistent, the better guy is more consistent than him, and hits more powerful consistent shot, what can he do?

Lose.

Unfortunately there isn't an easy solution to beating someone that is better than you at all aspects of the game.

[tyu1314]

There is one time i play a guy that hit way better ground strokes than me, to beat him i hit top spin lob on every shot, every shot bounce 2,3 feets behind the service line,and i won. It was high school playoff so i have to win, i wouldnt do that on a normal match that i just play for fun.

[LeeD]

Shore up the stuff you do badly.
Relax and hit your shots. Your opponent's shots, you can't control. So hit your best shots you can control.

[user92626]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Shore up the stuff you do badly.
Relax and hit your shots. Your opponent's shots, you can't control. So hit your best shots you can control.

I control my opponent's shots all the time. I make sure they either come back easy for me or they don't come back at all.

[LeeD]

Good point, but that is when you get to hit first.
In my tennis, we each get the chance to hit the first ball.

[effortless]

Originally Posted by AnotherTennisProdigy

The only way to beat a player that is better than you is to throw him off his game so he can't play well either. Get everything back, hit different kinds of shots, high ones, low slices.

Very much agreed. This definitely works for me.

[the cat petter]

Like Lukas Rosol (who can't make it to the QF in challenger tournaments), hit every ball as hard as you can!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRBRcoP2F38

[LeeD]

Well, nobody is going to beat Nadal by pushing, dinking, or counterpunching.
So what is left?

[NLBwell]

But a woman can beat Serena Williams like that.

Sometimes the best thing is to try and make your opponent play badly.

[LeeD]

Yeah, Serena is not the quickest, the fastest, nor the most hungry to run for every single ball.
Nadal used to be.