This is a huge psychological advantage, because their opponents are forced to play a game that is beyond their normal scope. This throws their performance off more often than not.
It's the reason we see a lot of meltdowns against Federer. His opponents just don't seem to be 'playing their own game'.
And yes, YOU can have this effect on your opponents and playing partners, too.
To me, good tennis is more a mind game than a physical one.
It is almost chess-like. You can beat someone who has all the best-looking strokes, if only you knew how to conquer him/her psychologically. And no, I'm not talking about gamesmanship or thrash-talking or voodoo.
Of course you can also dress-to-kill or show-off those treetrunk biceps, but I'd recommend a more reliable way to do it.
Here's how:
- Get fit and run for every ball. Or, just run for every ball. Think Nadal. Get every ball back and it will tire-out your opponent, physically and mentally.
- Go for forced errors rather than superheroic winners. Forcing your opponents to give you the point reduces their confidence. When they attempt and fail, it hurts their game more.
- Good placement rather than raw power. Give them the run-about-like-a-dog-on-a-frisbee-game treatment.
- Attack the net occasionally, even if your net-game sucks. Scare tactics.
- Develop a fearsome weapon. Make them regret they let you hit it.
- Increase your first serve percentage. Read my philosophy on the serve here.
- When they miss a shot more than once, give them more opportunities to miss it again.
- Add variety to your arsenal, with specialty shots like the drop shot or forehand roll.
- Disguise. A clown suit can be very distracting ;)
A wounded opponent becomes easier and easier to play.
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