I’ve played tennis for more than four decades. I’ve played every opponent on the singles courts during that time. This article tells what I think and learned about how to beat a hard hitter.
When I say hard hitter, I mean a baseline player who plays aggressively. These players tend to stay back and use their powerful groundstrokes to try to blow you off the court. The good information is that you don’t have to be stronger and more aggressive than them to beat them.
Instead, several strategies and tactics you can use might give you the upper hand. In tennis singles, the goal is to stop your opponent from using his or her best moves. This lets you take control of the game and play to your strengths.
The Methods of Aggressive Baseline Performers
To beat a big player, we need to know what they like to get and how they play. Once we comprehend that, we can think about how to make them angry and cause trouble. A big hitter prepares for each stroke and then hits long, fast, and deep shots. Then they will play a mix of powerful crosscourt and down-the-line shots, often aiming for their opponent’s backhand.
Baseline players that are aggressive like to:
- Since the balls were coming at them fast, it was easy for them to make the pace.
- Shots either don’t spin at all or spin just a little.
- When the balls come in at a good height, it’s easier to hit them.
- They have a good amount of time to get ready for their shots.
- They can easily attack shots that land just beyond the service line.
- They need balls that give them good angles for shots across the court and down the line.
How to Beat a Heavy Hitter: 10 Ways
Here are ten things you can try when you’re up against a big hit. Even though not every strategy will work in every situation, I’ve found that each has a chance to work and is worth trying, especially if you’re losing and looking for ideas.
Hold the ball from landing in their sweet spot.
It would help if you stayed out of the big hitter’s power zone, the height range where they play best. If the ball bounces too low or too high, it can be hard for them or force them to play a different shot than they would like.
Use slice
Slice can be used for many different things:
- It has the potential to keep the ball from bouncing high, which takes it out of the reach of the bit hitter.
- It can make it harder for the other player to get to the ball and get ready to shoot.
- If the ball bounces unpredictably, it will be hard for your opponent to prepare for their shot.
- It can slow the ball down, making the hard hitter have to come up with their power.
Use huge topspin
A small amount of topspin won’t put off the most aggressive baseline players, but a lot of it can make things hard for them. To hit a high-bouncing ball within their comfort zone, they have to hit it as it rises, which requires more precise timing and makes it more likely that they will make a mistake.
Maintain deep shots.
Don’t make it easy for a player who hits hard to hurt you by giving them balls just past the service line.
Take the speed off of the ball.
Since aggressive hitters tend to thrive on speed, one way to deal with them is to give them very little speed to play with. Then, they have to make their electricity.
Use drop shots
This is a great method to get your opponent off the benchmark and into the net, where they have to play volleys instead of groundstrokes. You are taking them out of what they are used to. But the drop shot has to be done well because they will punish a bad one.
Don’t let them get into a routine.
Hard hitters like to get into a rhythm and often depend on it. It can be hard for them to settle down when you change things up. Some things to try are:
- Change the speed, spin, and placement of your serve. This will create it hard for your enemy to know what to expect.
- Change the type and amount of spin you use, and try flat shots.
- Grab them and throw them into the net.
Take the internet
Most of the time, aggressive baseline players like it when you stay back. When you rush the net, sometimes you can:
- Unnerve them because it changes the way the play is going.
- Give people less time to establish their shots and less time.
But be careful when you go into the net, and only do it when you think the other team is on the defensive. If not, they could beat you with a pass.
Keep them from using any angles.
Playing the ball to one of the back areas of the court can be a good strategy most of the time. But against strong opponents can give them chances to get you into trouble. Most of the time, they like to shoot from corner to corner or down the line. In this way, they can place you under a lot of stress. But if you keep the ball going straight down the middle and make deep shots, you won’t give them any angles to use.
Play on the backhand Most baseline players who play aggressively have strong backhands, but their backhands aren’t as good. It would assist if you always tried to hit them on their weaker side.