Not only is tennis a great fitness game – it’s also an intellectual sport. Like in chess, a lot of depends on the right strategy. Victory is waiting for the player who can execute the strategy of their game — break opponents psychologically, take initiative from them and win key points in decisive moments. One of these moments to show prowess and mentally defeat opponents is break-point.
What is break point?
Despite the popularity of tennis, most casual fans of this sport can’t boast of extensive knowledge of its terminology. Let’s determine what “break point” is at first and where it lands within the overall tennis scoring system.
Tennis consists of several sets. Depending on the rules of the competition, the win is usually awarded to player who wins two sets. Grand Slam tournaments have other rules. The male player in singles needs to win three sets.
Sets consist of games. Games are the part of match with its own scoring and alternating servers. The player who wins six games is the winner. His opponent must have no more than four wins. In the case of 5-5, the player must win by 2 games to win the set.
Break point is the moment in game, when the lead player needs to make 1 point to win the game. If player can do this, it is called “converting break point”. Required score in such game is 0-40, 15-40, 30-40.
Decisive tactical ploy
High speed, endurance, honed technique – all these are obligatory but not the only condition for victory on the tennis court. Players must have confident tactics for their game and be ready to adapt. You need to know and evaluate objectively the strong and weak sides of your opponent. This will help you choose the most effective methods of play and will give you chances for winning break points.
- The coaches say: if you take break points decisively while serving, you will be on your way to victory as you will shake the confidence of your opponent. Conversely, if you take break point in games your opponent serves, you will also put more pressure on them to change their serve delivery.
- The more converted break points you have, the higher your chances are for winning. You come back and get the tactical advantage. You must fix and control it and make the opponent to play by your rules.
However, break point will occasionally be lost if you play with strong opponent. If you lose one, do your best to shake it off and approach the next game with a winning mindset.
More experienced players can make dictate their own pace of game. They can wear you out with short balls or lobs.
You must be ready for your opponent to push you into bad positioning on court so you can’t return their next shot. They will try to save the advantage, attack you and force you to play defensively. This is when you have to adapt your strategy by identifying their weaknesses and taking a few decisive break points to turn the tide of the match.
Element of gamesmanship
Professional player uses break point in tennis as a chance to show their gamesmanship. What is it? Let’s say, your opponent is leading the match. What do they feel? Self-belief, advantage and trust in victory. It gives them momentum and the upper hand to lead the game.
But imagine that you win the game with a decisive break point rally, in which they expected a fast and decisive set point. What will happen next? If you take the initiative after break point, it will knock them on their heels. Firstly, they will doubt their own forces. And doubts create uncertainty and can compel them to make faults or unforced errors.
Secondly, your opponent will doubt their tactics and methods of the game. Any hesitancy will lead to a loss of reaction time. It will reduce their speed and slow down their game. So, the risk of them losing the next point is increased.
Congratulate: you achieved your goal – confused your opponent, forced them to doubt their forces and to make faults. As a result, you can now dominate: you will attack and they will play defensively. Even strong and experienced players struggle to turn the tide in such situation. But don’t relax, your aim now is not to lose your advantage until the end of game.
Strategy of break point in tennis
It is necessary to decide on further tactics for your game. You must consider such aspects:
- features of opponent’s technique. Each player has weak sides. You need to learn them first and exploit them during the match to weaken the opponent. It can be unfinished “lobs” or bad back hand, fast fatigue or a predictable serve pattern;
- your physical condition and strength and the same for your opponent. Then you will decide whether to make long exhausting scrambles or play more efficiently.
When you plan to exploit a weakness of your opponent, don’t forget about your own. Experienced opponents will obviously prepare for the game and learn the weaknesses of your technique and how they can use it.
What tactics can be next? You have to change up your tactics from what you used to win you break point. Your opponent will already have unraveled it and will take countermeasures. You may start to play more aggressively and take victory immediately. Such tactics need strong mental and physical energy and excellent technique of shots.
The third option – don’t change the manner of game, play patiently and wait until the competitor makes a fault. Making use of it you can change the momentum and take the initiative.
You may come up with your own scheme of further tactics of tennis play considering the methods that you have.
Are such tactics necessary in modern tennis?
There are two diametrically opposite points of view about tactics in modern tennis. The representatives of first point of view confirm that tactics is basic value for result of doubles. Their competitive opponents consider that in modern tennis the scheme of game is not important. It is enough to shoot with power under left hand of opponent making him play short. After that you can close the match with one right strike of the short ball in the corner of court.
A lot number of coaches consider that tactics are needed for experienced players. The beginners don’t have either enough knowledge or the necessary consecutive skills. That’s why the beginners may use the announced scheme of game. It is very simple and doesn’t need big arsenal of methods. Mental skills are not needed also. You should focus on your overall endurance and assertive but accurate play. Both beginners and professionals can use break point.
But more experienced tennis players prefer to think over theirs games. When the plan can’t be realized, it must be changed fast during game. It can be done only by professionals according to theirs reflexes and honed intuition.
P.S.
Video about Top Ten Break Points
Read my other publication about tennis:
_________________________________________________________
Follow me, upvote, leave comments, share and stay tuned!
Comments