How to play when you are tired?

[PJYelton]

Middle aged 3.0-3.5 player here, what recommendations do you have for effective tactics/strategy/style to play when you start to get tired in a match? I'm talking about the time say around the 2 hour mark where you are one step slower to get to shots, don't quite have the racket speed any longer, and mental focus starts dipping. Any strategies for a playstyle that can still put at least a little pressure on the opponent even when your body is at 50-75%? I usually end up doing high percentage slices back for most shots but then that just relies on the other guy making a mistake. Obvious solution is to simply get into better shape but I honestly don't have the time to train that much.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Middle aged 3.0-3.5 player here, what recommendations do you have for effective tactics/strategy/style to play when you start to get tired in a match? I'm talking about the time say around the 2 hour mark where you are one step slower to get to shots, don't quite have the racket speed any longer, and mental focus starts dipping. Any strategies for a playstyle that can still put at least a little pressure on the opponent even when your body is at 50-75%? I usually end up doing high percentage slices back for most shots but then that just relies on the other guy making a mistake. Obvious solution is to simply get into better shape but I honestly don't have the time to train that much.

S&V/C&C [serve and volley/chip and charge]: a good many points will end right there - either they pass you or make an error or cough up a putaway opportunity.

This may not improve your results but it will shorten the points. And if your opponent doesn't like being put under pressure, especially so early in the point, it could pay off big time.

One modified approach is to start sprinkling in some of these plays *before* you start to get tired. Just like the best time to drink fluid is before you actually feel thirsty. You're depositing some energy into the bank by getting those shorter points that you can withdraw later in the match.

You could also try the DS/lob combo but DSs require a goodish amount of touch: too hard and it's a sitter but too soft and it doesn't clear the net. It depends on how quick your opponent is: the slower he is, the more margin you have. And sprinting to the net to retrieve a DS followed by sprinting back to get a lob is a great way to tire him out.

As for training time, carry a jump rope around and do a minute here and there. You have time for that, right? This is a much more reliable solution to the problem as you may not like the net.

 

[Jonesy]

Just spam moonball spinny shots to the BH side followed by drop shots + lob.

 

[golden chicken]

You might want to try eating a banana or something after the first set to try to keep up your energy

 

[ChaelAZ]

Honestly, I have plenty of losses after a long day at work, driving an hour more in traffic after to play a late night match with another hour plus drive home.
So I guess my way to play is lose quick and get some sleep? lol.

But seriously, I do not do well in those instances. Just try to get myself going and focused is all I can do. It's just rec tennis afterall.

 

[PJYelton]

Thanks, maybe the dropshot/lob combo is the way to go for me. While I like the idea of serve/volley or chip/charge, almost everyone at my level throws up a high lob the second they see someone at the net which isn't great when I'm already tired since I'm then forced to run back even if ball is long, jump, or need to keep focus waiting for the ball to drop for an overhead.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Thanks, maybe the dropshot/lob combo is the way to go for me. While I like the idea of serve/volley or chip/charge, almost everyone at my level throws up a high lob the second they see someone at the net which isn't great when I'm already tired since I'm then forced to run back even if ball is long, jump, or need to keep focus waiting for the ball to drop for an overhead.

There are ways you can discourage the lob, the easiest being to hit low and short. It's tough to hit a high and deep lob when the ball is ankle-height.

Also, if they lob as you are approaching, you're still fairly deep in the court which means you won't have to move much to hit the OH. If you mean they lob after your first volley, that means you have to work on that first volley.

The other remedy is to practice the OH. However, if you don't have time to train, you might not have time to practice, either. In which case you have to play the hand you were dealt.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

@PJYelton

You might want to try eating a banana or something after the first set to try to keep up your energy

Note that pro players are not eating a whole banana at one sitting. They will usually take one bite (no more than two small bites) on some, not all, changeovers.

And the banana is neither underripe (too much starch) nor overripe (too much sugar). A hint of green or a few brown spots might be ok.

 

[badmice2]

There isnt a lot you can do if you're gassed, you're simply looking to make your exchanges shorter.

While drop and lob may work, counter dropping is a thing when your opponent sees you tired also. YOu'll have to decide whether you want to cover the counter or let it go.

If you can locate your serve well, serve+1 or serve +2 works. Initiate the offense and look for the open court right away, put your opponent on the move where possible.

I suppose moonballing can be a thing. Most of the time ball comes back in the middle of the court, which means less coverage.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

It's a bit counter-intuitive but often, when I was feeling sluggish, I'd try to be more active between points. With some shadow swinging of the racquet and a bit of hopping, jumping or just moving around more.

This extra activity would help to keep the HR up a bit in my target zone. It also kept the juices flowing -- adrenaline, endorphins (or endocannabinoids).

 

[PJYelton]

There are ways you can discourage the lob, the easiest being to hit low and short. It's tough to hit a high and deep lob when the ball is ankle-height.

Also, if they lob as you are approaching, you're still fairly deep in the court which means you won't have to move much to hit the OH. If you mean they lob after your first volley, that means you have to work on that first volley.

The other remedy is to practice the OH. However, if you don't have time to train, you might not have time to practice, either. In which case you have to play the hand you were dealt.

Yeah I think it more needing to train OH, unless its right at net I'm just not consistent enough to win with them. Too many go out or into the net so then I end up hitting weak returns back that effectively reset the point wasting the effort I had moving in. And that just worsens the more I get tired.

As for dealing with with a counter drop shot, I find that easier than running after lobs especially if I can start cheating towards the net.

Thanks for the ideas everyone though on ways to keep energy up!

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Yeah I think it more needing to train OH, unless its right at net I'm just not consistent enough to win with them. Too many go out or into the net so then I end up hitting weak returns back that effectively reset the point wasting the effort I had moving in. And that just worsens the more I get tired.

As for dealing with with a counter drop shot, I find that easier than running after lobs especially if I can start cheating towards the net.

Thanks for the ideas everyone though on ways to keep energy up!

DSs are probably not common at 3.5 and the counter-DS is even less so.

 

[MyFearHand]

Middle aged 3.0-3.5 player here, what recommendations do you have for effective tactics/strategy/style to play when you start to get tired in a match? I'm talking about the time say around the 2 hour mark where you are one step slower to get to shots, don't quite have the racket speed any longer, and mental focus starts dipping. Any strategies for a playstyle that can still put at least a little pressure on the opponent even when your body is at 50-75%? I usually end up doing high percentage slices back for most shots but then that just relies on the other guy making a mistake. Obvious solution is to simply get into better shape but I honestly don't have the time to train that much.

You could take the approach of exerting maximal effort (that you still can) during your service games. Then in return games only putting in effort if you get an easy lead. If you happen to win the first two points and go up 30-0 then dig in, otherwise put in minimal effort.

I played a match with a 101 degree fever 5 years ago (I didn't realize I had a fever at the time, just that I had a bad headache). I'm young and pretty fit so I'm not used to having to manage my energy but that's essentially what I did in this match. If I lost the first point of my opponent's service game I essentially gave up on any balls that weren't hit to me. I ended up losing but I did take it to 3 sets.

 

[pencilcheck]

easiest is to be a pusher, stay at the baseline, just lift the ball up

S&V and C&C actually uses a lot of energy if you want it to be successful, so I wouldn't recommend it

 

[LuckyR]

Middle aged 3.0-3.5 player here, what recommendations do you have for effective tactics/strategy/style to play when you start to get tired in a match? I'm talking about the time say around the 2 hour mark where you are one step slower to get to shots, don't quite have the racket speed any longer, and mental focus starts dipping. Any strategies for a playstyle that can still put at least a little pressure on the opponent even when your body is at 50-75%? I usually end up doing high percentage slices back for most shots but then that just relies on the other guy making a mistake. Obvious solution is to simply get into better shape but I honestly don't have the time to train that much.

I'm a little puzzled. At your level most points don't last that many strokes and most successful shots aren't near the sidelines. If you must, you could add a bit of depth or pace to otherwise safe shots.

 

[optic yellow]

Honestly, I have plenty of losses after a long day at work, driving an hour more in traffic after to play a late night match with another hour plus drive home.
So I guess my way to play is lose quick and get some sleep? lol.

But seriously, I do not do well in those instances. Just try to get myself going and focused is all I can do. It's just rec tennis afterall.

Oh god wtf that sounds awful. Thats so much sitting in the car.

 

[cks]

Any strategies for a playstyle that can still put at least a little pressure on the opponent even when your body is at 50-75%?

Here are some ideas I try to use as a low 3.5 player.
1. Save/conserve energy. I use all of my time to between points and changeovers. Focus on controlling my breathing. Get relaxed before starting the next point.
2. Decide beforehand on which points I'm willing to expand more energy chasing down balls versus not chasing balls.
3. Focus on good rally balls using body weight. Aim for big targets and try to be more consistent than opponent.
4. Wait for a short ball, and try to finish at the net.

 

[SV10is]

Thanks, maybe the dropshot/lob combo is the way to go for me.

It depends on your skill set, but lobs and drop shots are not particularly easy to execute properly. Most recreational players do not practice those shots. So, this is probably a recipe for committing many unforced errors. Even when you do not miss outright, most of your lobs are likely to land too short and most of your drop shots are likely to land too long... If you aren't one of those pushers, it might not be something you can get comfortable reliably doing for several games in a row. It might be better to keep it as a variation you throw in there to catch your breath and mess up with your opponent's rhythm.

While I like the idea of serve/volley or chip/charge, almost everyone at my level throws up a high lob the second they see someone at the net which isn't great when I'm already tired since I'm then forced to run back even if ball is long, jump, or need to keep focus waiting for the ball to drop for an overhead.

They will likely throw a lob. That ball will also likely be either a very bad lob or an outright mistake. Of course, you'll have to move a little bit to allow yourself to hit an overhead if they make that lob and you might waste some energy running back when the ball sails long (although, with time, you'll be able to avoid most of the wasteful running by learning to tell when the ball will be long). Do you prefer staying back and getting into a rally? You might end up running twice the distance sideways, even if you start having fun hitting moonballs.

My advice would be to use some of the proposal in this thread as variations you can throw in there to change things up, especially as you approach that moment when you'll be too tired to sustain your normal level of intensity. If you usually grind it out from the baseline, throwing in a bit of serve and volley, chip and charge, odd patterns involving moon balls, lobs and drop shots, etc. might help you catch your breath in between a few more normal points.

 

[jimmy8]

just play the way you always play, if you change you will probably lose, unless you're good at several different styles. if you're good at serve and volley or blasting shots onto the lines, then go for it so you can shorten the points. if you are a grinder and only good at that, then go until you feel like it's better to forfeit than get an injury.

 

[TennisCJC]

In leagues and tournaments, amateurs should be playing a match tie breaker in lieu of a 3rd set. It's silly to expect amateur athletes to play 2.5 hours or more to complete a singles match. I play in a 4.0 league and my last match was 3 sets and 3+ hours and that was with a short 10 minute warmup and a reasonable pace of play. Most public courts will not let you reserve more than 2 hours, and for amateurs to play long singles matches adds risk of overuse injuries or health issues related to heat stroke. All amateur tennis should use a match tie break instead of a full 3rd set.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

In leagues and tournaments, amateurs should be playing a match tie breaker in lieu of a 3rd set. It's silly to expect amateur athletes to play 2.5 hours or more to complete a singles match. I play in a 4.0 league and my last match was 3 sets and 3+ hours and that was with a short 10 minute warmup and a reasonable pace of play. Most public courts will not let you reserve more than 2 hours, and for amateurs to play long singles matches adds risk of overuse injuries or health issues related to heat stroke. All amateur tennis should use a match tie break instead of a full 3rd set.

I preferred a full 3rd set because, basically, I want to play more rather than less tennis.

And how far do you take that logic [that less is better]? No Ad? Fast Four? One Pro set? I'm opposed to all of them but that's just my opinion.

 

[TennisCJC]

I preferred a full 3rd set because, basically, I want to play more rather than less tennis.

And how far do you take that logic [that less is better]? No Ad? Fast Four? One Pro set? I'm opposed to all of them but that's just my opinion.

I think an amateur tennis match should average between 1.5 and 2 hours to complete. That is a fair test of stamina and skill. My opinion is about 90% of amateur tennis players don't have a fitness level where playing longer than 2 hours is advisable on an on going basis. I am 65 years old and most older tennis players have knee, ankle, shoulder, etc... chronic injuries and over use is a key reason why. Like I said, I would use a 10 point match tie breaker in lieu of a full 3rd set. If that doesn't pull the average down to 2 hours or less, then I might go to no-Ad scoring or shorter but full sets.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I think an amateur tennis match should average between 1.5 and 2 hours to complete. That is a fair test of stamina and skill. My opinion is about 90% of amateur tennis players don't have a fitness level where playing longer than 2 hours is advisable on an on going basis. I am 65 years old and most older tennis players have knee, ankle, shoulder, etc... chronic injuries and over use is a key reason why. Like I said, I would use a 10 point match tie breaker in lieu of a full 3rd set. If that doesn't pull the average down to 2 hours or less, then I might go to no-Ad scoring or shorter but full sets.

Fair enough. Ultimately, it will be driven by members: if too many are unhappy with the shorter formats, they will leave and play other events.

 

[Slicehand]

Its easy, just play like alcaraz

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Its easy, just play like alcaraz

D'oh! Why didn't I think of that?