Playing in the Wind

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EXPECT the UNEXPECTED and IMPROVISE

  • 1st accept the fact that you’re not going to play your “A Game.” “Don’t fight battles you cannot win”. Determined that the wind is out of your control try to use it to your advantage. Keep it simple, embrace the challenge..
  • It’s HAPPY FEET DAY. On your toes and expect adjustment steps, many of them.
  • Hitting the “sweet spot” is your goal. Keep your eyes on the ball as long as possible.
  • Shorten your backswing on deep groundstrokes, when the wind is in your face.
  • Underspin shots with the wind will float on you. Head winds will slow their flight.
  • On the serve winning both games with the wind behind you is imperative. It’s more difficult to hold serve and break their serve against the wind.
  • Look to approach the net when the wind is behind you. Add topspin to your approach shots or short follow-through slice shots.
  • Attack their weakness the wind will magnify their flaws. One-handed backhand players have problems generating power especially on high balls.
  • Changing pace will give the wind a chance to help confuse your opponent.
  • With crosswinds right-handed slice serves in the deuce court draw your opponent off the court and lefty’s the same in the ad court. Passing shots down-the-line are much riskier because of crosswinds. Don’t try to paint the lines.
  • With the wind, stand on or even inside the baseline during rallies. When fighting a head wind, back up three or four feet to help improve your timing.
  • Use more topspin on your ground strokes when the wind is behind you to maintain consistency especially on serves.
  • Against the wind drop shots are very effective. Underspin lobs land short but topspin lob’s dip dramatically and are tough shots for your opponent to return.
  • Playing “percentage tennis” becomes even more important.