Approach shot right to him to the middle?

[toth]

If i hit the approach shot about from the middle of the court, my opponent does not have a significantly weaker wing and i feel i cant hit a really forcing shot;
Does it make sense to hit the approach shot right to him to the middle
Or usually better to hit to the left or the right corner of his court?

Thank you for your answer
Toth

 

[nyta2]

for me, approaching dtm is just one of things to test... not better/worse
PRO: reduces angles they have to pass; if tall/long, can highlight footwork issues when making space for a "body" approach shot; it's safer than sidelines; can anticipate a cc pass if they do have trouble making space
CON: they might have more time; easier to stay in balance; not stretching them; illicits a lob (bad if my OH sucks, sunny, etc...)

IMO your comment about "can't really hit a forcing shot"... if you're not able to hit a shot that pressures them (eg. attacking a short ball, attacking their time, footwork, contact height, etc...), then you probably need to work on your approach shot... "forcing" doesn't mean to make them hit an error (eg. creeating a forced error), it just means to make their reply more predictable more times than not... (eg. if you stretch them, their tendency is to want to hit a dtl passing shot)

 

[LeungD]

A good idea until you get passed/lobbed.

The bottom line is that every time you hit down the middle your opponent doesn't have to move much to get to the ball, which gives you less time to get close to the net.

 

[Pass750]

Delete

 

[Rosstour]

Maybe a dropper DTM and follow it in?

Unless in a specific circumstance where I see that the other guy is about to cough up something easy, and I can leverage my Diegoesque size to get there in time...I normally wouldn't do this

 

[Pass750]

Misread your post, approach shot you definitely want to hit the corners. Better chance at winner and if you follow to net they don’t have much to work with to return it past you.

 

[chic]

It really just depends how they react to such a ball. If they're a late mover or play up in the court/on the baseline this can be a good option to box them up and get a pop up shot.

Or, if they aren't confident/competent with lobs or angles under pressure it can set up a good situation.

If it feels like the most natural approach in a given situation it's worth testing how they react to it. I don't know if I'd make it a general plan for my game, as getting in this habit would make beating people who do move well more difficult.

 

[chic]

It really just depends how they react to such a ball. If they're a late mover or play up in the court/on the baseline this can be a good option to box them up and get a pop up shot.

Or, if they aren't confident/competent with lobs or angles under pressure it can set up a good situation.

If it feels like the most natural approach in a given situation it's worth testing how they react to it. I don't know if I'd make it a general plan for my game, as getting in this habit would make beating people who do move well more difficult.

I will add the opinion that if you do this you want to go up the middle on the backhand side against almost anyone.

People tend to hit bh more closed stance and are more likely to hit an off balance lob or pass with the fh. So even if they don't have a weaker wing rallying it's still the preferred side to approach to.

 

[LeungD]

Misread your post, approach shot you definitely want to hit the corners.

Approach shot: DTL
Winner: Crosscourt/Inside-Out

 

[Shroud]

If i hit the approach shot about from the middle of the court, my opponent does not have a significantly weaker wing and i feel i cant hit a really forcing shot;
Does it make sense to hit the approach shot right to him to the middle
Or usually better to hit to the left or the right corner of his court?

Thank you for your answer
Toth

DTM is perfectly fine and better than cc. @nyta2 pretty much nailed it. And its always good to mix up the approaches. The less predictable you are the better. I had one coach suggest approaching on some random ball. He said that even if you don't win the point, its benefit could be that the opponent thought you were crazy.

 

[LeeD]

Think for yourself.
If your opponent hits an approach, do you want it within easy reach, or would you rather run hard and far to dig it out of your shoetop?

 

[chic]

Think for yourself.
If your opponent hits an approach, do you want it within easy reach, or would you rather run hard and far to dig it out of your shoetop?

I want them to miss, obviously...

 

[2-Step-Q]

A DTM approach isn’t bad every now and then but if the goal is to approach and close the net putting it in the middle forces you to cover a lot of net. Putting it into a corner means you have to cover less net, it makes the next incoming ball a lot more predictable and opens the court for you.

 

[FiddlerDog]

I am more likely to hit in the middle when my position dictates this is the highest % shot.
You crush the ball right at his feet, and he can barely get a racket on it, since it takes work to move out of the way.
This is a top 5 favorite shot of mine since it mentally defeats the opponent because he thinks he had a chance and messed it up

 

[mucat]

I think you just have to mix it up sometimes. Take note on your opponent's reaction towards the approach shot and make adjustment.
Down the middle is definitely an option especially it is from a short ball that you can hit hard.

 

[LeeD]

Whatever you do....do not hit cross-country approaches all the time, nor the majority.

 

[LuckyR]

Depends on if they have easy access to topspin. If they do, they are less likely to hit wide when trying to pass you with the lesser angle hitting from the middle will offer. OTOH, if they hit flatter, they are vulnerable to hitting wide if they go for the passing angle. All of this assumes that you are hitting down the middle from the middle of the court yourself.

Approaching while standing at either corner with an approach shot aimed down the middle is a suicide play (since they can trouble you with a pass down the middle).

Thus the standard advice to approach DTL, which btw even modern professionals often ignore to their peril.

 

[FiddlerDog]

I am more likely to hit in the middle when my position dictates this is the highest % shot.
You crush the ball right at his feet, and he can barely get a racket on it, since it takes work to move out of the way.
This is a top 5 favorite shot of mine since it mentally defeats the opponent because he thinks he had a chance and messed it up

This is exactly what I was talking about.

 

[ubercat]

Test the guy. Some people can drop back and lob you. Some have the reverse pivot/circular shot and can power at you. Some have slice and can hit angle passes. Try them twice. If you lose twice don't do it. If they have a FH with a big windup or a double hander BH that net dumps a lot DTM is definitely worth trying.

 

[TennisCJC]

Approach DTM is a good strategy but I normally use it as a 2nd tier. Normally, I approach either DTL or to weaker side. But, if opponent is good off both sides and likes to hit angled passing shots, DTM can take away the angles and make it easier to cover the passing shots. I actually used this in a league match against a guy who has a decent 2HB and it worked. I think he felt like he had less angles and I was able to reach more volleys and he pulled a few wide. So plan A is DTL, Plan B is to weaker side, plan C is DTM and Plan D is stay the heck back because the guy is passing me no matter what I do.