Gameboy,
First of all, I respect that you actually made your post and looked to others for suggestions -
I had kind of the opposite problem when trying to become a better doubles player a few years back. Since I played singles nearly always, I didn't really understand the difference in doubles and singles or how to best use my strengths and the strengths of my partner in doubles. I was frustrated, so I did something very brash, I played no singles league matches for a year. I captained a team and only played Doubles. Spring and fall, I read the Art of Doubles ( great read ) .
I am not suggesting you get that radical, but for me, I needed the practice at doubles.
There are pluses and minuses in both games
Singles-
- you can get away with shots that you can't in doubles ( loopy topspin to the deep middle of the court - that most likely gets poached in doubles ) - I played 14 3.5 singles matches this year, 5 at State, and then played six more 4.0 singles matches - only one guy (a 3.5) was a S&V specialist - options on the ROS: hit at their feet , or topspin lob to the backhand side ( I use this on the Ad side against righties) or you pass DTL or wide XC- S&V's are too easily neutralized by poly strings- it is easier to beat a S&V today than 20 years ago.
- you have no coach or partner so read Winning Ugly by Brad Gilbert three times - it really makes a difference
- being fit and fast pays more here than in doubles - I've had guys tell me, that they thought I got stronger and faster in the 3rd sets- I think I was simply in better shape and they were getting tired-
- learn to punish a short ball- this pays in doubles as well, but when you get a short ball in singles, the point should end. This is where patience plays a big role. Set up the points and wait for the short ball-
- when you are in a defensive position, simply try to "reset the point" - Rather than try to hit winners while on the defense, try to reset the point by hitting deep to the baseline toward the Service | ( the mark that divides the service for deuce & Ad serves) - even use a defensive lob if needed - then use the hang time to move back to a better court position - it's the best defensive move I have discovered in singles -
- be patience and set up points ( ad corner to Deuce corner, then as your opponent moves back to the middle use his momentum against him, and hit the Deuce corner again- you don't have to kill that second deuce corner shot, just get it deep as he is moving toward the middle - your point
you can use this also to go Duece Corner, then Ad corner twice in a row -
- play in a singles ladder, and try to play pushers, lobbers, fast guys, big hitters and guys that slice you to death - singles players come in a lot of different styles, and the more you play, the better you get - one 4.0 drops shots and lobs me to exhaustion - we spilt matches 2-2, but his drop shot is deadly- the fact that he has a big forehand and the best drop shot I have ever faced, keeps me guessing - stand too far back, and he drops me and runs me-very effective - especially in June/July /Aug in South Carolina
- each year I try to work on three shots for the year- (this year one of the shots for me was a one handed backhand slice ( I use a 2HBH anytime a ball is in my wheelhouse, but the one hand slice is easier for low balls, or very high ball) - another shot that works well if you can hit deep groundstrokes with pace is a drop shot- the deep penetrating groundstrokes will keep the opponent behind the baseline, while the ability to hit a dropshot from the baseline can be a weapon if your opponent is too far back- this has been used against me by 4.0s
- vs big guys , don't hit four feet to the side of them, hit directly at their feet instead - they are big, so body shot them and make them move to one side or the other - this works great against guys 6'4 and up - jam them
- vs fast guys, don't hit extremely angles on them, unless you are going for a winner, because if they get to the ball, they will use the angle against you- brad gilbert says "don't let a runner run" - hit up the middle on fast players, so they don't get extreme angles on you -
- find one shot that becomes a flat out weapon- for me it's my forehand and my ROS - my backhand occasionally scores a winner, but it is steady - I can slice a backhand or hit a 2HBH- but I hurt players with my forehand - others players hurt me with other shots including lobs, drop shots, slices - bottom line is you will have an easier time at singles if you find a shot that allows you to hurt your opponents over and over again.
- I don't have a big serve , but I generally find a weak spot if a guy as one . and hit to it 75% of the time. If you have a big serve, congrats - use it and take some free points -
In doubles, I try to get to the net a lot - I come in behind deep shots and try to volley as much as possible - but in singles, I am very very stingy with my net game- you have to figure out what works best for you - I have enough control with my backhand to place the ball, but I have a forehand that my 5.0 partner in 8.5, calls "ridiculous" - it is the most natural shot I have - cross court, inside out , flat and driving, or loopy topspin as a lob softly to a corner - find a shot that is your go to shot - Jim Courier made a living running around his backhand and crushing his forehand - Stan Warinka's backhand is deadly- we aren't making money as amateur hacks, but most players I know have a favorite shot-
A 4.5 friend of mine, as a backhand that is his weapon, he simply drives a low flat slice deep and if I get to it, he is at the net to finish it.
A 4.0 friend used a loopy topspin shot, nothing hard, but crazy spin to keep me pinned to the baseline. Only partial solution for this was to take his balls on the rise- but he is 23 less than half my age and faster -
Find a weapon and use it-
Hope my tips help-