How to Analyze Your Opponent

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(and HOPEFULLY it STARTS in the WARM-UP)

The warm up is the start of the match. As soon as you step on the court focus on what they LIKE, DON’T like, and how YOU would like to PLAN and PLAY your MATCH. Here are a few thoughts to help make the STRATEGIC and TACTICAL process easier.

  • Start off hitting balls down the middle of the court to see what stroke they chose to hit. Many players will run around their weakest shot.
  • Do they like to play on (an aggressive baseliner) or deep behind the baseline (a defensive player)?
  • How much net/overhead practice do they take? Check out their backhand volley and notice the depth (or lack of).
  • Do they have a 2 or 1 handed backhand? Do they slice or hit topspin? Attack the slice backhand when approaching and aim serves and ground strokes high to that side.
  • How many serves do they take? Do they have a slice or topspin serve? How short or high is the 2nd serve?
  • How do they handle the high ball, the low ball, the short ball, the wide ball? Most players recover slower on the backhand side and it’s harder to handle a short low 2 handed backhand (it’s usually returned crosscourt).
  • On passing shots, what side do they favor? In general topspin players like to pass crosscourt and flat players like to pass down the line.
  • How do they TRANSITION to the net position. Are they confident with their approach shot, net position, volley, and overhead? Can they run down a lob?
  • Do they approach better down the line or crosscourt and what side do they attack better from?
  • Scout your opponent to help formulate your game plan.