February 10, 2020
Vol. 1 / Issue 10 
Identify Your Opponent Quickly
By Oleg Mironchikov

USTA season is here, and prior to the match you have 10 minutes to warm-up and quickly analyze the playing style of your opponent. Below is a warm-up checklist to help identify your opponent quickly.
WARM-UP CHECKLIST
Baseline rally, is the opponent a lefty? Righty? Do they prefer their forehand? Backhand?  
Answer : Expose their weakness by focusing on their lesser stroke (forehand or backhand). Lefties typically have a good touch and like angle shots and crosscourt rallies. Aim for the ally if lefty playing deuce side or middle of court if playing add side.

Overheads? Weak? Strong?  
Answer:  If weak, take advantage of high lobs and don’t be afraid to squeeze the net when the opposing player is about to hit one – they can’t hurt you. When a player has a great overhead, try keeping the ball low instead and if it’s necessary to lob, throw one to their backhand side and pressure the net. 

Volleys?
Hands of gold or weak and uncomfortable at net? 
Answer:  If the latter, they’ll probably prefer the baseline, therefore use angles and low short shots, force them to come in; pressure the net. For singles, make sure your returns are deep to the middle against a good volley player; use passing and dipping shots. Use low slices to bring opponent to net against baseline experts. 
Footwork? Quick like an antelope or 
flat footed like an elephant?
Answer:  If the latter, hit anywhere on the court where there’s open space. In singles, look to finish points a bit faster by getting to net. 

For doubles, expose the player who is slower (usually there will be one) and make them move. 

Serves weak or strong? 
Answer:  If weak serve, hit the aggressive shot and go down the line. If playing doubles, make sure your partner is aware of your strategy, so they're prepared to cover the middle and put the ball away. Keep returns low and away from the net player against a good server. 

Win or lose the coin toss? 
Answer :  If you win the coin toss and the opposing has a weaker serve, let them start the match. If playing outdoors and you lose the coin toss and opponent wants to serve, choose the side where the sun is at your back and/or wind is in your face. In other words, make opposing serve into the sun or with the wind.

Support.   
Above all else, whether you're playing singles or doubles, support yourself and/or your partner. This is the cardinal rule of tennis and should never be broken!
#RespectTheGrind