Good tennis strategies win matches where raw power or talent aren’t enough. The best strategy depends on where a player and their opponent stand, which shots they choose, the opponent’s strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies, and whether it’s a singles or doubles match. A player who understands the basics can beat a stronger hitter by simply having better decision-making, thanks to more polished tennis tactics.
This guide explains what strategy means in tennis and core principles that work in every situation. We’ll also share how approach changes between singles and doubles. The finishing touches will cover the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
What Is Tennis Strategy?
A tennis strategy is the overall plan that a player has for the match. A good strategy must have straight or at least somewhat direct answers to questions like:
- How Can I Win Against This Opponent?
- How Can I Exploit Particular Weaknesses of This Opponent?
- How Can I Allow My Strengths to Flourish?
- How Can I Counter My Opponent’s Strongest Attacks?
In general, strategies could be “keep the ball deep and wait for errors” or “come to the net as often as possible.”
Tennis Strategy vs Tennis Tactics
People often make the mistake of identifying tennis tactics and strategy as the same thing – they’re not.
Tennis tactics are specific moves or actions that a player uses to carry out the broader plan (strategy). Tactics are way more dynamic, potentially changing game by game or point by point. To define tactics, players must make a lot of precise individual choices, like:
- Where to Aim a Serve?
- When to Hit a Drop Shot?
- Which Side to Attack?
- Should Returns be More or Less Aggressive?
Here’s a simple example to make the difference clear: a good strategy is focusing on attacking an opponent’s weaker backhand. The tennis tactics, in this case, would be: hit forehand cross-court shots into that corner and approach the net when a shorter reply comes back. The tennis strategy largely stays the same for the entire match, while tactics need to adapt as the action unfolds.
Basic Tennis Strategies
Some principles and strategic elements work on every level, from amateurs to Slam-level pros. The execution is the difference. Whether someone plays singles or doubles, these 5 ideas or combinations of them form the base of almost every game plan.
Keep the Ball in Play & Reduce Unforced Errors
Simple, but very strategic. Requires patience. That’s because most points at club level end with an error, not a winner. Making one more ball than your opponent is often sufficient to win.
With this strategy, the goal is to aim for safer targets well inside the lines, and place returns over the higher middle part of the net. Every unforced error from opponents is a point they’ll have to earn back.
Good Court Positioning & Smart Recoveries
After every shot, players need to move back to the position that covers the most likely reply. During most rallies, that’s a spot around the centre of the baseline, slightly shifted toward where an opponent can reach. Players who admire their shot or wait too long to recover will leave open court behind them.
Targeting an Opponent’s Weaknesses
While scouting can reveal some tendencies, the early stages of the match can be used to test every part of an opponent’s game. Hits to the backhand, inviting forward and forcing them to run wide, can reveal all sorts of unique quirks and potential exploits within their game.
Once a weaker stroke or slower movement to one side is spotted, direct pressure, especially on big points, should be applied. Knowing what the opponent’s play style is – whether they’re an aggressive baseliner or a counterpuncher can help pick the right plan.
Choosing High-Percentage Shots
This is one of those tennis strategies that can pay off in the long run, as high-percentage shots give you good results while having a low risk of error. While it sounds simple, solid execution requires a lot of skill.
With this strategy, players take cross-court shots that travel over the lower middle of the net. Going down the line or aiming close to the edges is riskier, so choose these shots when a player feels balanced and has a clear opening.
Varying Pace, Spin, Depth and Direction
Controlling the rhythm benefits all players, so the goal is not to give an opponent the same ball twice. Mixing heavy topspin shots with low slices, adding deep balls with short angles, and varying shot pace helps keep a player unpredictable. Being smart about speed and height changes breaks an opponent’s timing and can create opportunities for launching an attack.
Tennis Strategy for Singles
Singles players cover the entirety of the court alone, so a good tennis strategy for singles is about movement, creating space and patience. The six core principles below are the backbone of most game plans in singles tennis.
| Principle | Explanation |
| Recovery Towards the Centre | The recovery point is the spot that splits an opponent’s possible angles in half. After a wide shot, it’s a must to get back towards the middle before the ball crosses the net, keeping both corners in reach. |
| Exploiting Cross-Court Shots & Angles | Cross-court rallies define singles matches. The court is longer on the diagonal, while the net is lower in the middle, giving more margin for hits. Sharper cross-court angles also create space on the other side. |
| Attacks on Short Balls | When a ball lands around the service line, the returner should take a step inside the baseline and take it early. This is a chance to hit a winner. It’s also more likely to finish a point with a volley. |
| Targeting Weak Strokes | Since most players trust one side more than the other, (often – the backhand) it’s insightful to keep feeding the weaker side with pressure. When they try to run around to hit a forehand, the other side of the court opens up. |
| Moving the Opponent to Create Space | It’s hard to get winners from a single great shot. Most come from a finely executed sequence. Pushing an opponent wide and hitting a gap on the other side is smart. Running from corner to corner can cause fatigue quickly. |
| Use the Serve to Set Up the Next Shot | Using the serve to create an easier second shot rather than just chasing aces. A wide serve opens up a forehand into an open space, while a serve to the body can draw a central, weak return. |
Tennis Strategy for Doubles
Doubles is a different game. The court gets wider, and there are 4 players instead of 2. Plus, the net matters more. A strong tennis strategy for doubles relies on teamwork and, almost always, better control of the front of the court. Here are the key pointers for doubles strategies:
| Principle | Explanation |
| Working Together to Cover the Court | Best partners move as a unit, giving the sense that they’re connected by an imaginary rope. When one covers a wide ball, the other slides across to the middle and vice versa. Big gaps are easy targets, meaning a good doubles strategy tries to avoid making any. |
| Controlling the Middle and the Net | Watch doubles long enough, and you’ll see that the duo controlling the net usually controls the point. Volleys from the net take time away from the opponents. Shots down the middle are also valuable as they can create confusion over responsibility and reduce the number of available return angles. |
| Cross-Court Returns | Aiming cross-court to return back to the server is smart because it keeps the ball away from the opposing net player. The latter might be waiting to intercept anything that’s hit near them. If a server comes forward, a low return, aimed at their feet can be even more effective. |
| Constant Communication | Good duos talk before and during point play. There should be agreements who takes balls down the middle, whether the net player should poach and where the serve is going. Simple calls like “mine”, “yours” or “switch” is a sufficient foundation, helping prevent costly errors. |
| Poaching & Lobs When Appropriate | Poaching is the action when the net player moves across the court to intercept a cross. When done well, it wins cheap points. If opponents are crowding the net, a well-placed lob pushes them back, handing the control of the net over. |
Singles vs Doubles Tennis Strategy
While some core principles of tennis strategies in singles and doubles games overlap, priorities shift hard. Here is a convenient table that can help you compare strategies in both formats.
| Area | Singles | Doubles |
| Court positioning | Mostly behind the baseline, recoveries towards the centre | One up, one back or both at the net, the duo covers the court together |
| Movement | Covering the whole singles court, lots of side to side | Shorter, coordinated movement with a partner, shifting as a unit |
| Serve and return | Serve sets up the next shot, returns aim deeper | Serves start with a high first-serve percentage, returns often go cross-court and low |
| Net play | Used selectively, mainly after a strong approach and when applying pressure | Central to winning, the team closer to the net usually controls the point |
| Communication | None needed, since the play is solo | Essential before and during points |
Watching how professionals handle these differences is a good way to learn. If you follow the tour, you can spot patterns in real time and make more informed decisions on the tennis betting hub.
Common Tennis Strategy Mistakes
Even when a player has a solid game plan, a few habits or costly errors can undo a lot of progress. These 5 are the ones to watch when you’re trying to polish tennis tactics and pre-match strategies:
- Going for winners way too early – when players try to end the point from a defensive or even a neutral position, it can lead to errors. Building the point first and waiting for a short or weak ball is much smarter.
- Not recovering after a shot – standing still to watch the shot leaves plenty of open court. Recover to ready your position and admire the end result only.
- Repeating the same patterns over & over – if the serve only travels to one spot or the balls during rallies are only hit a certain way, an opponent can adjust and tilt everything to their favour. Keep them guessing as long as possible.
- Ignoring weaknesses of an opponent – many players do their own thing and stick to their guns without analysing their opponent. Paying attention and adjusting tactics to what’s happening on the court helps retain advantage in particular areas of the game.
- Poor positioning and lack of communication in doubles – leaving the middle open or staying silent on shared balls can give away easy points. Staying in constant communication and talking helps avoid those.
Tennis Strategy FAQ
What is the Best Strategy in Tennis?
There is no single, universal answer. However, the most reliable tennis strategy consists of trying to keep the ball in play, targeting an opponent’s weakness and attacking when you get a short ball. Consistency often wins more than risky shot-making.
What is the Difference Between Tennis Strategy and Tactics?
Strategy is the overall plan for the match, for example, attacking a weak backhand. Tactics are specific shots and choices that a player can use to carry out that plan during play.
What is a Good Tennis Strategy for Singles?
Once again, it all depends on the matchup, surface and play styles of both players. However, it’s often recommended to recover to the centre after every shot, build rallies with cross-court shots, and move your opponent into open space. Finally, setting up an easy 2nd shot after the serve can pay off greatly.
What is a Good Tennis Strategy for Doubles?
Work together with your partner, control the net and the middle, return cross-court shots away from the net player and communicate between points and mid-play. Adding in poaches and lobs can keep opponents unsettled.
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