Tennis Tips - Play to Your Opponent’s Weakness Early

One of the most underrated tactics in tennis is figuring out your opponent's weak spots right from the start—and then building your game plan around them. You don't need to be the strongest or fastest player if you're the smartest one on the court.

Why It Works

• Most players come out with their "default" game—big forehands, consistent rallies, etc.
• If you identify a weakness in the first few games, you can take control of the match early.
• Exploiting their soft spots creates pressure, frustration, and forces mistakes.

What to Look For in the First 2–3 Games 1. Backhand vs. Forehand

• Hit a few neutral balls to both sides.
• Watch for signs of discomfort: late contact, short balls, or floating slices.

2. Movement

• Test their ability to move laterally and recover quickly.
• Are they slower to their forehand? Do they struggle coming forward?

3. Net Play

• Bring them in with a short ball or drop shot.
• Can they volley well? Or do they panic at the net?

4. Return of Serve

• Mix up your serve placement.
• Do they step back? Take big swings? Struggle with body serves?

5. Mental Signs

• Do they get visibly frustrated or nervous after an error?
• How do they react to pressure or long points?

How to Exploit Weaknesses

• If they struggle with backhands, pin them there with cross-court shots.
• If they hate moving forward, use drop shots and short angles.
• If they're slow to recover, hit behind them often.
• If they're tentative at net, draw them in—then pass or lob.

Bonus Tip

Keep it subtle. Don't overuse the tactic—sprinkle in variety to keep them guessing. Think chess, not checkers.