Four Key Aspects in Tennis #1: Consistency

Consistency

Consistency in tennis is all about returning the ball to your opponent's side of the court. Can you imagine the frustration when the opponent's shot isn't particularly challenging, yet you commit an avoidable and foolish error? This is a lack of consistency in your gameplay.

In the sport of tennis, how important do you think consistency is? I'd say it's top priority! 

When to be consistent?

Certain situations call for a focus on maintaining consistency rather than attempting high-risk shots. One such circumstance arises in the early stages of a match. These initial games are crucial because they afford you the opportunity to understand your opponent's playing style and characteristics. It's extremely important not to miss this chance by making unforced errors. Additionally, prioritizing consistency helps you establish a good feel with your body, the ball, and the court, all of which are critical elements in your performance. Given the potential nervousness that may accompany you at the start of a match, avoiding unnecessary risks is also advisable.

Have you ever played on grass? Grass is a unique surface that requires some time to get used to playing on because of the unique skid of the ball on the grass surface. Top players like Novak Djokovic would play safer with consistency at earlier stages of Wimbledon to get a good "feel" of the characteristic grass environment.

Next Level: Hitting Deep

Once you are confident in getting the rally going, your next focus should be hitting the ball deep into the opponent's court to prevent the opponent from launching an offense. Deep shots naturally make it troublesome for the opponent to hit balls at acute angles and take away their time to hit comfortably. Moreover, deep shots that land close to the baseline push the opponent further back into the court, giving you the opportunity to take over the rally.

Hitting a deep shot to the sides forces the opponent to reach out like this! If the ball was short it would have been an easy shot for Novak, putting it away with his consistent forehand. 

Defensive Techniques 

Lastly, consistency encompasses defensive techniques, because proficient defending abilities enable recovery from vulnerable situations and ultimately keep the rally going. In my personal belief, mastering defense should be a priority over mastering offense. This is because defense involves various footwork and shot selections that can seamlessly transition into offensive maneuvers. Two shots I particularly enjoy playing are the defensive slice shot and the topspin loop ball, both of which prove effective in altering rally pace and facilitating the shift from a defensive stance to a neutral one, ultimately leading to offense.

Nadal is widely recognized as a tactical player, renowned for his powerful topspin forehand. However, this topspin shot can be less effective against taller opponents who can strike the ball from above, especially on hard courts. Consequently, Nadal often employs his backhand slice to get the opponent to scoop the slice up and prevent the relentless attack.  

Next Blog on Offense! 

Today, we have covered a rather fundamental aspect of tennis. Nonetheless, consistency is a key to easy victory, especially at lower levels of the ladder. As you progress, offense becomes crucial, dictating points by controlling the rally, which is the topic of the next blog. Until next time!