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Playing The Score, Part 3

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by Robert C. Murio, Competitive Sports Counselor

Part 3: Opening Game


In this part, I will examine the strategy for the opening game. Remember, my suggestions are based on three principles: 1) tennis is a difficult game where errors are more commonly made than winners; 2) a scoring system that puts a premium on winning "key points"; 3) a competitive atmosphere that creates tremendous emotional pressure. In Part 1 of this article I pointed out that these three principles should guide the successful competitor in deciding on the proper strategy for a particular scoring situation. These decisions need to be made quickly and accurately because one misplayed situation can cost you an important match.

Strategies for the Opening Game of the Match

The opening game is often the downfall of many players. Some players start off so poorly and dig a hole so deep that they can never recover. You can't afford to let your opponent get off to an early lead, particularly a lead like 3-0 or 4-0. Once players get that kind of lead, they often gain so much confidence that they are almost impossible to beat. You need to keep the score close at the beginning. Therefore, the beginning of the match is not the time to get loose or warm-up. You should be ready to play at full speed and jump on your opponent from the get-go.
  1. The way a player starts a match is really an individual matter, but every player should have stretched and warm-up well before starting the match.

  2. Obviously, the object is to get off to a good start by winning the first game, but it is also a time to get your rhythm and timing down. So, you should try to take a little pace off your shots and strive for smoothness and consistency. The more balls you can hit in the first couple of games the better your timing will be as the match progresses.

  3. Early in the match is the time to test your opponent's weaknesses. If you already know what they are, then go right after them. If you don't know the player, then the first game is the time to find out his weaknesses by mixing up your shots to see what seems to bother him. Finding out early will help you in your strategy for the crucial points and games.

  4. Early in the match is also the time to find out what seems to be working for you that day. Try a variety of shots to see what feels good. Every day is different and you need to know what you have that day, so you can avoid trying things that aren't working.

  5. Serving is especially important in the first game of the match. Because a player only serves every other game, he/she needs to know early in the match how the timing is that day. If the timing is a little off at the beginning, then you should strive to take the pace off the first serve. This will allow you to get more first serves in and take the pressure off your second serve. Once you feel the timing coming back to you, you can start going for the big first serve.
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