The 80% Rule – Temper Power with Percentage

Rune learned a powerful truth from Djokovic:

“Never go beyond 80% on rally shots.”

Why follow the 80% rule?

When you swing at 80% effort on rally shots:

Your strokes stay repeatable under pressure
At 100%, technique often breaks down. At 80%, mechanics remain solid, even under stress.
You maintain better balance and timing
Overswinging throws you off balance, delays recovery, and leaves you exposed for the next shot.
You reduce unforced errors
Many errors come from trying to hit bigger than necessary, especially when rushed or tired.

Going for highlight-reel winners feels satisfying, but:

Matches are won by consistent, high-quality balls
Players like Djokovic and Alcaraz build pressure by rarely missing, forcing opponents to crack.
Your opponent feels mental strain when you never give away free points
This drains their confidence and tempts them into riskier decisions.

Hit rally balls at a controlled 80% effort
Train yourself to value repeatability over power in rallies.
Reserve your 90–100% swings for clear finishing opportunities
Accelerate fully only when the ball sits up and your on balance in your strike zone with court space open.
Focus on depth, shape, and footwork precision rather than raw power
Heavy topspin with depth at 80% often does more damage than a flatter 100% missile with low margin.

Temper your power with percentage.
Reliability beats recklessness – especially when the match is on the line.