Tactic : use Flatter Hitting than Usual (reduced topsin) against Tall Players?

[clay courter]

This week I played three matches (on clay). The first 2 were against players shorter than me, and the 3rd against someone taller than me. In my second match, after tiring in flat, forehand-to-forehand power rallies, I decided to use more topspin, taking the ball out of the comfortable hitting-zone of the shorter player. This tactic worked well. In my third match, however, again hitting with a lot of topspin, my shots got crushed against a taller player. I suppose this is because the shots spun up into the comfortable hitting-zone (the "wheelhouse") of the tall player.

We may have seen some of this reflected at the pro level, where Nadal has had a lot of success against Federer, perhaps b/c his topspin takes balls out of Federer's comfortable hitting zone (Federer is only 6 ft. tall or so). However, perhaps Nadal has had a bit less success with this against some tall players (e.g., Del Potro, Murray).

This raises my question : whereas it seems like an obvious tactic to use topspin against players shorter than you, is it similarly a smart tactic to hit flatter than usual -- using less topspin than normal -- against taller players? My slice is not that great, so, you can assume I can't lean on that option as much as I'd like against tall players. Thanks for your advice!

 

[Fuji]

That tactic would make perfect sense to me! If you kick the ball out of the wheel house of shorter players with topspin, then flatter or slice shots will make the taller players knees work more. In theory it makes perfect sense.

 

[5263]

I think the concept is valid for a subtle adjustment that may help to keep you from losing points, especially if hitting flatter is natural for you. I don't think flat shots are going to be a weapon of any sort just cause they are lower, but maybe a neutralizer of sorts.

For me I would focus more on the movement issues by hitting shorter TS angles and moving them back and forth with my normal TS rally shot, then hitting behind them if I can really get them moving. For me the short skidding slice is a another good way to angle them off and slightly in, opening up the xcourt deeper corner for my reply. I also like to jam the tall players, especially a net, but some with a 2handed Bh are hard to jam at baseline and rtn of serve.

 

[Blake0]

I agree with 5263, flatter shots will be more neutralizing and harder for them to attack on. Good slices would work better, but you don't have one. The next best option is to focus on killing their movement. Tall players usually have slower movement. Hit angles and move them around the court, not just sideways but up and down the court as well. You don't necessarily have to tire them out, but just move the ball around a bit till you get an attackable ball and attack.

Tall players usually have big serves, big groundies, decent movement, and a net game sometimes. The point here to see is that their game usually revolves around power. Neutralizing their power with variety and your speed is a good way to keep rallies neutral. For attacking you'd want to attack their weakness, usually their footwork and some stroke (maybe low bh or something) with angles and so on. Even a deep floating slice works well because it neutralizes the amount of power they can hit.

 

[tennisdad65]

The percentage is against you when using pure flat shots. You have to get to the net within 2-3 shots or you are gonna lose most rallies.

Slice is better than flat against tall players. Since you can already hit it flat, consider adding a bit of underspin for control, by using a tiny bit of an open face. This will improve your percentage, and also keep the ball lower due to the underspin.

 

[GetBetterer]

Del Potro vs. Nadal USO 2009. Hmmm...let's see. Nadal's reverse topspin forehand got into Del Potro's perfect flat hitting zone which ended up in powerful shots which Nadal struggled to maintain speed with.

Seems like a good plan to me.

 

[LeeD]

It's ONE possible tactic only.
Some tall guys are susceptible to high bouncers, which they don't normally face.
Some tall guys can get down to low skidders, because they are active and mobile.
Some tall guys can handle pace, but spray anything you hit slowly.
So like any opponent, during warmup and early sets, you PROBE.

 

[clay courter]

I appreciate all the great advice! Something that I think is often overlooked about tall players, and is certainly the case with this opponent (with whom I play regularly), is that, with long legs, they have to potential to cover more court than players with shorter legs. In the case of this opponent, he plays soccer in his leisure time, and runs well. Thus, my efforts to run him side to side have failed for the most part. He gets to just about everything. He also changes direction pretty well, so it's not easy to wrong-foot him.

However, the suggestion I most like, and which I'll try, is to alternate short, angled slice to one side, followed by deep shots to his other stroke. Although my slice isn't perfect, this should at the least disrupt his rhythm, and I'll try to have him hit some backhands while moving backwards.