Exploiting a Key Weakness: How Osaka Beat Gauff

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Exploiting a Key Weakness: How Osaka Beat Gauff

Targeting weaknesses isn’t just good tactics — it’s a winning strategy. Naomi Osaka reminded us of that in her commanding 6-3, 6-2 win over Coco Gauff at the 2025 U.S. Open.

Relative Strengths

Naomi Osaka’s game is built on first-strike power — heavy serves, aggressive returns, and the ability to dictate rallies with controlled aggression.

Coco Gauff, by contrast, thrives on athleticism — her speed, anticipation, and stamina allow her to retrieve, counterpunch, and wear opponents down over long exchanges.

In this clash, Osaka’s clarity and firepower prevented Gauff from using her legs and lungs to turn the match into a running battle.

Osaka’s Ruthless Game Plan

  • Attack the forehand relentlessly. Gauff’s serve has been the big story, but it was her forehand that cracked under pressure, producing 20 unforced errors.
  • Jam the body on serve. Even with only 39% first-serve accuracy, Osaka neutralized Gauff by hitting her second serves into the body, preventing clean swings.
  • Stay consistent with pace. Instead of painting lines, Osaka struck with heavy, steady depth. The sustained pressure forced errors without needing to overhit.

As the Singles Strategies playbook teaches: exploiting an obvious weakness is one of the highest-percentage paths to a win.

Lessons for Competitive Players

  • Pick your target and don’t deviate. Too many players test a weakness but abandon it too soon. Osaka showed the value of tactical stubbornness.
  • Exploit with purpose, not passivity. Where others tried attrition, Osaka used power to finish points faster.
  • Psychology matters. Once Gauff’s forehand faltered, the pressure snowballed. A technical weakness became a mental one.

How to Train for This

  • Drill directional consistency. Train to hit 20+ balls crosscourt into the same zone without breaking rhythm. Build the discipline to “stay on script.”
  • Simulate pressure reps. Use practice under pressure routines, where every miss carries a consequence, to hardwire execution when nerves rise.
  • Sharpen footwork. Rely on small, rapid crossover and prep steps  to stay balanced and attack the same wing repeatedly without breaking down yourself.

Whisperer Wrap

Osaka didn’t just beat Gauff with power — she beat her with a sound strategy.

Find the crack in your opponent’s game, stay relentless, and let the pressure do the rest.

Sofie Makes Final in ITF Debut at Camden

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Sofie Makes Final in ITF Debut at Camden

This weekend at the ITF MT200 in Camden marked Sofie’s first appearance in an international singles main draw — and she made it count. With two hard-earned wins, she advanced to the final round, showing tactical awareness, resilience, and a level of composure beyond her experience.  Congrats Sofie!

A Final to Build On

In Sunday’s final, Sofie faced Alison Crealy — an assertive, experienced player with a strong serve and a clear game plan. Crealy pressed forward behind her serve in nearly every game and executed with confidence at the net. Her deep backhand slices and short cross-court variations posed a constant challenge, especially on return.

Despite the 2–6, 2–6 result, Sofie extended multiple games to deuce and remained tactically engaged throughout. She navigated unfamiliar patterns, made in-match adjustments, and showed mental clarity under pressure.

“It was a great day of tennis. Lots to debrief on and lots to learn,” Sofie reflected.
“Many of those games could have gone either way.”

Lessons Learned

Tactical Insight: Sofie demonstrated strong awareness in identifying her opponent’s strengths — particularly net pressure and varied slice depth — and worked to adjust her positioning and shot selection accordingly.

Competitive Presence: Despite sustained pressure, she maintained composure and responded with structured, purposeful patterns of play.

Growth Mindset: Her ability to reflect critically and constructively post-match reflects maturity and a clear readiness to evolve her game.

Wrap

Reaching the final in her first ITF singles tournament is a significant achievement!

The experience — particularly against a high-quality, attacking opponent — provides a clear reference point for the level and adjustments required at this stage.

Sofie leaves Camden with confidence, clarity, and a solid foundation for the next phase of her development.

Well done Sofie!

What AI Teaches Us About Tennis Fundamentals (Yes, Seriously)

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What AI Teaches Us About Tennis Fundamentals (Yes, Seriously)

I’ve been writing a few articles for Pam’s site about AI in the workplace. Wild stuff. AI is everywhere right now—huge potential, big buzz. It’s already changing how people do research, write reports, and make decisions.

But here’s the thing: most AI still only handles the basics—what you might call first-order stuff. It tells you what’s out there. What happened. What exists.
What it doesn’t do so well is second-order thinking—helping you figure out what actually matters, or what to do next.

And that idea—understanding what really matters—got me thinking about tennis.

Are You Practicing the Right “Basics”?

We all hear the same tennis fundamentals repeated: ball watching, balance, rhythm, timing. But how often do we stop to ask: which of these comes first? Which one drives the others?

Not all fundamentals are created equal. Some are first-order skills—the raw inputs your game depends on. Others are second- or third-order outcomes. They only show up once the foundation is strong.

Here’s how they rank, in terms of cause and effect:

First Order: Ball Watching
Everything starts with the eyes. If you’re not tracking the ball closely and early, your body doesn’t have the information it needs. Your movement, decisions, and stroke execution all depend on accurate visual input. Miss this, and everything else suffers.

Second Order: Balance
Once your eyes are doing their job, your body has to respond with control. Balance gives you the ability to set up your shots, stay consistent, and recover quickly. It’s the physical anchor for everything you do on court.

Third Order: Rhythm
When you’re seeing the ball and staying balanced, rhythm starts to appear. It’s the smooth coordination of steps and strokes. Rhythm makes your game feel fluid. But it can’t exist without solid inputs from your vision and posture.

Fourth Order: Timing
Timing is the result of all the above. It’s not something you drill directly. When ball watching, balance, and rhythm are aligned, timing shows up automatically. Chasing timing without the foundation is like trying to decorate a house with no walls.

Why We Train This Way on Sundays

If you’ve been to our Sunday sessions, you know we don’t start with casual “service line to service line” rallies. There’s a reason for that.

Those warm-ups are too passive. Players might be hitting the ball, but they’re not truly seeing it or training their balance under realistic pressure. It looks like warming up—but it’s not building the foundation.

Instead, we begin with drills that isolate and train first-order skills: visual tracking and postural control. Once those are solid, the rest of your game has something to stand on.

Whisperer Wrap

Don’t chase timing and rhythm as if they’re skills you can practice in isolation. They’re not. They’re outcomes.

Instead, train the inputs that create them. Focus on your eyes. Lock in your balance. Build from the ground up.

You might be surprised how much better your game gets—without changing your strokes at all.

P.S.  Measured in terms of orders, AI still has a long way to go before it can match the kind of layered expertise it takes to truly master tennis. The human game runs deeper—for now.

Cracking the Code: How to Overcome Townsend’s Net-Rushing Strategy

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Cracking the Code: How to Overcome Townsend’s Net-Rushing Strategy

Taylor Townsend delivered one of the most tactically disciplined performances of her career to outmaneuver Mirra Andreeva’s spin-heavy, rhythm-based game at the U.S. Open. By targeting the forehand, drawing her opponent forward, and finishing with precise volleys, Townsend demonstrated how variety and intent can disrupt even the most sophisticated baseline strategy.

While Townsend’s net-rushing approach is increasingly rare in the modern game, preparing for it provides a valuable lesson: every aggressive style can be addressed with disciplined depth, variation, and tactical clarity. Players who adjust their return position, maintain consistent depth, and commit to purposeful passing shots can shift the balance back in their favor.

Understanding Townsend’s Strengths

Before developing a counter-strategy, it’s important to identify the strengths of her game:

  • First-strike tennis: A lefty serve that pulls opponents wide and sets up attacking forehands.

  • Net presence: Exceptional hands and anticipation from doubles experience.

  • Short-ball punishment: Any ball left short is treated as an approach invitation.

  • Psychological pressure: Opponents feel rushed and are forced into uncomfortable passing shots.

To beat Townsend, the task is not simply to “pass better,” but to disrupt her ability to establish net dominance in the first place.

Tactical Blueprint to Counter Townsend

  1. Target Depth Relentlessly

    • Keep the ball deep to limit her opportunities to approach. Heavy topspin into the baseline corners can push her back and reduce her ability to step forward.

  2. Exploit Movement in Transition

    • Townsend is most dangerous when balanced at the net. Test her with dipping passing shots at the feet and lobs over the shoulder when she approaches out of position.

  3. Pressure the Backhand Volley

    • While her forehand volley is crisp, her backhand volley can be more vulnerable under pace. Low, crosscourt passing shots into that side can create forced errors.

  4. Return with Precision, Not Just Power

    • Against her swinging lefty serve, look to chip returns low at her feet or block deep crosscourt returns to extend rallies. Giving her a ball she can half-volley is risky.

  5. Vary Passing Patterns

    • Avoid predictability. Mix hard drives with slower, dipping shots, sharp crosscourt passes, and sudden lobs. Force her to cover multiple options instead of anticipating.

  6. Use Tempo Shifts

    • Rhythm changes—slices, moonballs, and sudden accelerations—can prevent Townsend from getting into a forward-flowing groove. Players like Ashleigh Barty have shown how variety can frustrate net rushers.

  7. Make Her Play Extra Balls

    • Volleyers thrive on quick finishes. By defending with depth and retrieving one more ball, opponents increase the pressure on her execution.

Psychological Approach

Equally important is the mental game. Townsend’s style applies constant pressure, and opponents often overreact by trying to “go for too much” on passes. The key is to:

  • Stay patient: Accept that she will win points at the net.

  • Focus on patterns: Commit to depth and variation rather than searching for winners.

  • Control momentum: Avoid frustration when she finishes a series of points quickly; the goal is to win the longer battles.

Whisperer Wrap: Takeaways

Against the Net-Rusher
To counter a net-rushing opponent, the key is to deny them opportunities to dictate from the front of the court. This requires maintaining depth, varying passing options, and staying composed under pressure—turning their biggest strength into a more limited path to success.

Against the Spin-Based Baseliner
To counter a spin-based baseliner, opponents must avoid being drawn into their rhythm. That means stepping inside the court when possible, taking time away with flatter strokes, and using variety—such as short balls or volleys—to disrupt their patterns and shift control of the rally.

Townsend Finds a Way to Beat Andreeva’s Game-Changing Strategy

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Townsend Finds a Way to Beat Andreeva’s Game-Changing Strategy

The third-round match at the U.S. Open highlighted a striking contrast in both style and stage of career: Mirra Andreeva, the 18-year-old world No. 5 who builds her game around spin, height, and variety, against Taylor Townsend, the 30-year-old world No. 1 in doubles, known for breaking rhythm and applying pressure through aggressive net play. [Andreeva Strategy Post]

In a tactically and disciplined performance, Townsend neutralized Andreeva’s spin-heavy baseline game by targeting the forehand, drawing her forward, and finishing with precise volleys—demonstrating how variety and intent can disrupt even the most sophisticated rally-based strategy.

Andreeva’s Basic Strategy

Andreeva has developed a reputation as one of the most disruptive young players on the WTA Tour. Rather than relying solely on power, she controls rallies by:

  • Using heavy topspin to push opponents deep and above their preferred strike zone.

  • Mixing in low slices to change the pace and force awkward contact.

  • Employing angles and drop shots to stretch the court and pull opponents off balance.

This approach has proven highly effective against aggressive baseliners, allowing Andreeva to dictate tempo without needing outright winners.

Townsend’s Tactics

To counter Andreeva’s strategy, Townsend relied on a clear tactical plan and steady execution. The main components of her strategy were:

  • Targeting the Forehand: By flattening shots into Andreeva’s forehand, Townsend denied her time to set up her topspin-heavy patterns.

  • Bringing Her Forward: Well-placed short balls forced Andreeva to come forward out of her comfort zone behind the baseline.

  • Finishing at Net: Once control was established, Townsend moved forward to volley to close points, a skill honed from her doubles expertise.

  • Utilizing the Left-Handed Serve: Her serve consistently opened the court and created first-strike opportunities.

Townsend’s willingness to step inside the baseline and commit to finishing points contrasted sharply with Andreeva’s rhythm-based game.

Shifting Momentum

Early in the match, Townsend showed signs of nerves, dropping her first service game. But she recovered quickly, breaking back and gradually imposing her style. The pivotal moment came at 4–5, 30–30 in the opening set, when Townsend held serve with a successful net approach. That hold triggered visible frustration from Andreeva, who lost composure in the following games.

From that stage, Townsend controlled the contest, winning 9 of the final 11 games to complete a 7–5, 6–2 victory.

Broader Context

For Townsend, a former junior world No. 1, this was her first fourth-round appearance at a major since 2019—a meaningful milestone in her career. For Andreeva, the match served as a reminder that even a sophisticated tactical approach can be disrupted when an opponent refuses to play within its framework. Nevertheless, Andreeva and her coach, Conchita Martínez, will undoubtedly be working on solutions to strengthen her response in future encounters.

Tactical Lessons

Competitive players facing spin-heavy, rhythm-based opponents can draw several practical lessons from Townsend’s approach:

  1. Neutralize the Strong Wing

    • Take time away from a topspin forehand by flattening the ball and directing it into that side.

  2. Disrupt Court Positioning

    • Use short balls and angles to force rhythm players out of their preferred deep baseline positions.

  3. Commit to the Net

    • When opportunities arise, transition forward decisively and finish with volleys. This requires specific practice of footwork and volleying under pressure.

  4. Serve with Purpose

    • Placement is as valuable as power. Target serves that open the court or draw weaker returns.

  5. Maintain Composure

    • Townsend’s decision to stay aggressive under pressure highlights the importance of routines for confidence and stability (breathing, self-talk, and rituals).

Whisperer Takeaway: Townsend’s win shows that with clear tactics and disciplined execution, even a rhythm-based spin game can be disrupted.

For developing players, the focus should be on building a toolbox of varied shots, learning the fundamentals of different playing styles, maintaining composure under pressure, and learning to finish points at the net with a reliable volley.

Nerves: “My Nerves Really Got the Better of Me”

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Nerves: “My Nerves Really Got the Better of Me”

Madison Keys has never been one to hide from the truth. After her loss to Renata Zarazúa in the US Open, she admitted something every competitor—whether in a Slam or a club match—has felt: nerves can take over.

“For the first time in a while, my nerves really got the better of me, and it kind of became a little bit paralyzing. I felt like I was just slow, I wasn’t seeing things the way I wanted to, which resulted in a lot of bad decisions and lazy footwork.”

It’s striking to hear this from a player who has already lifted a Grand Slam trophy this season. But Keys’ honesty reminds us of a universal truth: nerves don’t discriminate. They can hit when you least expect them, even in a “career year.”

Why Nerves Feel Paralyzing

Sports psychology has long studied what happens when pressure turns excitement into fear. Muscle tension creeps in, footwork slows, and decision-making clouds. In tennis, where balance and quick first steps are everything, being half a beat late can unravel an entire game plan.

As Keys put it herself: “I felt like I was just slow, I wasn’t seeing things the way I wanted to, which resulted in a lot of bad decisions and lazy footwork.”

Nerves Mean You’re Ready

Here’s the irony: nerves are not a sign of weakness. They’re a sign of readiness.

Bruce Jennings, before breaking world records, used to throw up from nerves. Serena Williams admitted she still felt “shaky” before major finals, despite more than two decades at the top. Rafael Nadal, throughout his career, relied on rituals—placing his bottles just so, adjusting his shorts, bouncing on the baseline. These weren’t quirks, but anchors. They channeled nervous energy into rhythm and control.

As uncomfortable as they feel, nerves are your body’s way of saying: you’re about to do something important. With age, those nerves can intensify—performance anxiety tends to grow sharper, not softer. For juniors, it often shows up differently: the fear of disappointing coaches or family. And sometimes, that pressure leaks out in unhealthy ways, like bending the rules or even cheating.

Practical Ways to Tame Nerves

The good news: nerves can be managed. Not eliminated—because nerves mean you care—but managed.

  • Pre-Match Rituals: Creating a consistent routine (listening to music, breathing exercises, visualization) helps anchor the mind.

  • Left-Hand Squeeze: Research shows that squeezing a tennis ball with the non-dominant hand before serving reduces overthinking and steadies execution.

  • Footwork Focus: Returning to basics—split steps, prep steps, crossover moves—can reestablish rhythm when your brain feels foggy. Rafael Nadal built his match-play identity around such details. At the start of matches, he would sprint to his return position—not just out of habit, but to keep his heart rate elevated and his body engaged. That simple ritual ensured his footwork was alive from the first ball—a reminder that movement patterns can settle the nerves before strokes ever do.

  • Mini-Resets on Changeovers: Think of changeovers as built-in reset buttons. Slow your breathing, towel off, replay the previous points briefly in your head—and then let them go. Use those ninety seconds to shift attention forward: What’s the next serve target? What’s the next tactical adjustment? Just as Keys spoke about the need for longer training “reset blocks” during a season, these mini resets in a match help restore balance, calm nerves, and re-enter play with clarity.

Whisper Tip:

Madison Keys’ candid reflection is a reminder that tennis is as much mental as physical. Nerves will always surface—but they don’t have to define the match. Some days, particularly when you’re tired or not feeling well, you just can’t get over the hump. Even so, the real secret to tennis is simple: just keep turning up.

Nerves don’t mean you’re unprepared. They mean you’re ready to play. The real question is: can you perform when it matters?

Manly 7 Valiant in Defeat in Badge Final

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Manly 7 Valiant in Defeat in Badge Final

Manly 7 fell 5–2 in their Badge Final on Saturday at Sydney Boys High, battling on an away blue hard court that felt far from their comfort zone.

Match Highlights

Barnaby & Isaac

  • Dropped their first set in a brutal tiebreaker (8–6) after serving for the set at 5–4 with three set points. Finals pressure kicked in, and playing “not to lose” into a stiff wind proved costly.

  • Down 1–6 in the breaker, they rediscovered their patterns, fought back to 6–6, but narrowly lost.

  • With their rhythm restored, they took the second set. (One Love’s top player later admitted he was intimidated by Isaac’s net presence.)

Bilal & Joel

  • Locked in two tight, deuce-heavy sets but couldn’t convert opportunities, falling in straight sets.

  • Equipment drama: Bilal broke his only racket, forcing Joel to lend him his spare.

Momentum Shift

  • Barnaby & Isaac carried their momentum into the turnaround, securing a third set win.

  • Bilal & Joel, facing the opposition’s top pair, pushed them deep. Joel earned the ultimate respect when they adjusted into tandem formation to counter his cross-court returns. Still, they lost another deuce-heavy set.

Closing Stage

  • In the final set, missed chances finally wore Barnaby & Isaac down. As Coach Tim put it: “Finals tennis is brutal — but it’s a great teacher.”

Positives to Take Away

  • Team fightback: rallied from 15 points down at the start of round two to get to the final.

  • Found their doubles identity: rediscovered magic diamond patterns travel well to any surface.

  • Serving & returning under pressure: remarkable execution in fierce wind and final-round pressure.

Areas to Build On

  • More match play for experience in pressure scenarios.

  • Strengthening regular doubles partnerships.

  • Sharpening tiebreak and pressure-play skills.

  • Across the board, volley improvement.

Wrap

While disappointment stings, this was a powerful learning experience. Manly 7 showed grit, flashes of brilliance, and plenty to build on. Finals tennis exposed the gaps but also revealed their competitive edge.

A loss on paper, but a huge step forward in development.

Ah! Doubles Really Is a Different Game

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Ah! Doubles Really Is a Different Game

At this year’s U.S. Open mixed doubles, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori reminded everyone that doubles is not just singles with four players jammed on the court—it’s an entirely different sport.

The Italian specialists—last year’s champions—are back again, dismantling some of the biggest singles names. Rybakina and Fritz? Gone. Rublev and Muchová? Outclassed. And with only a semifinal run so far, Errani and Vavassori have already pocketed more money than they earned winning the entire event last year.

The irony is sharp: the event was packaged as a showcase for singles stars, but it’s the doubles masters who are writing the story and cashing the checks.

Why Doubles Specialists Dominate

  • The Magic Diamond – Picture a diamond laid over the court, linking the four players. That diamond marks out the key sections where nearly 80% of balls are played at every level. Great doubles teams shift the diamond with each shot, always covering the hot zones, closing seams, and shrinking angles. Singles players often miss it—and leave space that doubles experts devour.

  • Craft Over Power – Singles stars try to blast their way through. Doubles specialists rely on placement, anticipation, and sharp angles.

  • Net Control – In doubles, the net is everything. Vavassori’s wingspan and Errani’s timing turn floating balls into easy winners.

  • Partnership as Choreography – Doubles isn’t improvisation. It’s synchronized movement—like Torvill and Dean on ice, only with rackets.

Badge Lessons

The same story unfolded last Saturday with two Manly teams in the Sydney Badge semifinals.

  • In Division 1, two young singles guns came out banging from the baseline. Nick and Rimmo stayed calm, worked the diamond, and took charge at the net. Result: four sets won, match sealed.

  • In Division 10, Issac and Barnaby committed fully to the diamond, keeping themselves anchored in the right zones every point. The payoff: three sets, including the clutch decider that delivered the tie.

Different divisions, same truth: doubles is a different game.

A Crowd’s Education

At the U.S. Open, fans came for the franchise names. Ticket prices were trimmed to fill the stands.

What the crowd got instead was a masterclass in doubles.

It wasn’t just tennis—it was Torvill and Dean on a court: precision, timing, and coordinated movement. The fans expected fireworks. They walked away talking about geometry, poaching, and anticipation.

How to Play Winning Doubles

To win in doubles, stop playing singles with a partner. Start playing doubles:

  • Play the Diamond – Shift with your partner on every shot. Protect the middle, close the angles, and make opponents hit the low-percentage ball.

  • Serve & Return With Purpose – Serves should feed your partner. Returns should be crosscourt, low, or lobbed to disrupt formations and keep the net player honest.

  • Stay Mentally Sharp – Keep your eyes outward on cues and patterns. Use quick rituals—like a simple ball squeeze—to reset and stay calm under pressure.

  • ABC: Always Be Closing – Move forward behind deep shots, poach the floaters, and keep opponents under constant net pressure.

Whisperer Wrap

This year’s U.S. Open mixed doubles was designed as a showcase for singles stars. Instead, it has become a clinic on the geometry and psychology of doubles. Errani and Vavassori—last year’s champions and already richer semifinalists this year—are proving the point.

From Flushing Meadows to Sydney Badge, the lesson is the same:

Doubles really is a different game. And those who master the diamond, the net, and the partnership—always win.  

And of course, it helps if you have a consistent volley!

Source: Getty Images

PS: Errani and Vavassori didn’t just make the semis — they won it in classic doubles fashion: 6/3, 5/7, 10/6 in the match tiebreaker. Another reminder that when the pressure’s highest, the doubles specialists know exactly how to finish the job.

The Underarm Serve: Errani’s Masterstroke

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The Underarm Serve: Errani’s Masterstroke

Most of Howie’s midweek group are appalled at Errani’s serve.  They are purists, to say the least. Some even question whether it’s legal.

But the results speak for themselves: Sara Errani, at 38, remains a force on the pro tour, a Golden Slam-winning doubles specialist who has mastered a serve few dare to try.

Sara Errani stood at match point in the Billie Jean King Cup semifinal, staring down Iga Świątek, one of the world’s best. Then, she served—underarm.  What followed was not a gimmick or an act of desperation. It was a masterclass in adaptability, executed by a player who has turned a perceived weakness into one of the game’s more potent weapons.

Michael Chang: The Original Underarmer

Long before Sara Errani brought the underarm serve into the women’s spotlight, Michael Chang executed one of the most famous underarm serves in tennis history—on match point, no less. It was the 1989 French Open, and Chang, just 17 years old, was battling severe cramps in a fourth-round clash against world No. 1 Ivan Lendl. Barely able to move, Chang pulled out an underarm serve late in the fifth set. It caught Lendl completely off guard. Chang went on to win the match and ultimately the tournament, becoming the youngest male Grand Slam champion in history.

Reframing Weakness into a Weapon

Errani’s story is unique. Standing at just 5’5”, she lacks the height and power of today’s big servers. For years, her serve was mocked, criticized, even meme’d. But instead of hiding from it, she embraced the challenge, building a tactical repertoire around placement, variation, and surprise.

The underarm serve wasn’t born from whimsy—it was born from necessity. When her regular serve began collapsing under pressure—most notably with severe yips in 2019—Errani made a radical decision: she would serve underarm entirely during a tournament in Paraguay. The reaction was brutal, but the outcome was revealing: she reached the final.

A Strategic Statement, Not a Trick Shot

While players like Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Bublik deploy the underarm serve for flair, Errani does it with a surgeon’s precision. Against Świątek, it wasn’t about showmanship. It was about starting the point on her terms—controlling tempo, rhythm, and positioning.

As she explained:

“I don’t try to make winners. I just try to make kick, make slice… sometimes is better for me to serve not that fast, because if you serve fast the ball is coming back faster.”

Is It Legal Under the Rules?

Yes—the underarm serve is completely legal under the rules of tennis. The only requirement for a valid serve is that the ball must be hit before it touches the ground and must land in the appropriate service box. There is no rule that requires the server to strike the ball overhand. As long as the motion is continuous and the ball is not thrown and allowed to bounce, the underarm serve is fair game—even in professional play. That’s what makes it such a disruptive, underutilized weapon.

Why It Disrupts Timing

What makes the underarm serve so difficult to return is that it fundamentally breaks the rhythm most players rely on. At every level of tennis, returners are trained to read toss height, racquet swing, and body rotation to time their split step and initiate their backswing. The underarm serve removes all of that. It comes slower, lower, and earlier than expected—often before the returner has even completed their split.

This plays havoc with players who “quick hit” the return—those who rely on the ball’s pace to time a sharp, early contact. Suddenly they’re forced to generate their own power on a floating ball that arrives below knee height, with no predictable trajectory. The result? Mis-hits, awkward footwork, or mistimed aggression. Even top pros like Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz have been caught out by Errani’s underarm, proving that disruption can be just as deadly as power.

Expect Scorn

Even so, if you decide to use the underarm serve, be prepared for derision and scorn. Tennis purists often view it as unsportsmanlike or beneath the standards of “proper” play. You might face eye-rolls, muttered comments, or even outright ridicule—from opponents, spectators, and yes, even your own teammates. But as Errani has proven time and again, winning changes the narrative. If you’re confident in your intent, unbothered by tradition, and smart about when to deploy it, the underarm serve can be a bold, effective answer to pressure—not a sign of weakness.

From Panic to Process: The Psychological Shift

Errani’s journey with the serve reflects the essence of mental resilience. Her coach advised her to serve underarm for a full tournament to liberate her mind. That decision echoes the “Practice Under Pressure” and “Adaptive Strategies” discussed in sports psychology: face the fear head-on, and reclaim control.

She also leans on breathing routines and visualization, managing match-day nerves that once crippled her ability to toss the ball.

For Competitive Players

The underarm serve isn’t a shortcut. It’s a reminder that tennis intelligence can outplay raw firepower.

Errani’s decision to lean into discomfort turned her serve into a disruptor—a shot that rattled Świątek, flummoxed Fritz, and helped Errani secure a Golden Slam in doubles.

Want to Try It? 

  • Practice under pressure. Don’t save it for matches. Test it during high-intensity drills.

  • Pair it with variety. Mix it with slice and kick serves to create unpredictability.

  • Use it selectively. Against deep returners or when protecting a second serve.

  • Own the moment. Confidence is everything. Commit, don’t hesitate.

Wrap

The underarm serve isn’t weak—it’s wise.  Errani didn’t just revive a controversial shot—she redefined it.

Atmane’s Evolution: From Banging to Relentless Patterns

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Atmane’s Evolution: From Banging to Relentless Patterns

The newly expanded 96-player draw in Cincinnati gave Térence Atmane a lifeline — a spot in qualifying. He seized it, beating Yoshihito Nishioka to reach the main draw, then taking down Flavio Cobolli, João Fonseca, Taylor Fritz, and Holger Rune.

Cincinnati’s fast, low-bouncing hard courts, with their skidding ball speed, are tailor-made for his game. The surface rewards his first-strike instincts, amplifies his lefty serve, and keeps opponents from settling into long exchanges.

The Weapons Were Always There

Atmane has never lacked firepower — a left-handed serve that carves the court wide, a forehand that can rip through defenses, and angles that drag opponents into awkward recovery patterns.

What he hasn’t had is stability. His Challenger career yielded a 74–48 record before Cincinnati, but in 2025 he was just 19–10 despite two titles, his results swinging wildly from dangerous to erratic.

The last two seasons brought turbulence: a near-default at the 2024 French Open after hitting a spectator, the loss of his Asics sponsorship, and boos from the Philippe-Chatrier crowd after a flat 2025 French Open loss to Richard Gasquet.

A Mental Reset

After the Gasquet defeat, Atmane told Tennis Channel he wanted to be “more healthy, more happy.” It marked a shift from chasing only results to building daily habits that sustain performance.

He’s traded emotional volatility for adaptive mental strategies — match-day rituals, reset cues, and positive self-talk (shades of Draper) — giving his raw power a framework for consistency.

Inside the Patterns: How He’s Winning Points

Wide Forehand Setup: Lefty Geometry: One of his most effective plays this week has been the wide forehand setup — a nod to the Nadal variation, but executed with his own aggression. From the ad court, he serves wide to the backhand, forcing a stretched return. That gives him time to step around and crack a forehand crosscourt, opening the angle even further. With his opponent pulled far off the court, the next ball is an inside-out forehand into open space — precision meets geometry.

Short/Long Combo: Disrupting the Rally Rhythm: When rallies settle into neutral patterns, Atmane uses the short/long combo. He’ll carve a short, angled forehand that yanks his opponent forward, often on the run. As they scramble back, he picks his strike — a passing shot threading the gap or a deep lob that flips the point back in his favor. It’s a rhythm-breaker that unsettles even the most reliable baseliners.

Wrong-Foot Redirect: Timing Meets Deception: His improved timing and awareness are on full display with the wrong-foot backhand redirect. Taking the ball early, often as his opponent moves back to center, he sends it down the line — not into open space, but directly into their recovery path. The surprise forces an awkward adjustment, creating errors or easy finishes at the net.

Wrap

Cincinnati could be the turning point that transforms Térence Atmane from an unpredictable outsider into a player with top-20 potential.

His next challenge is Jannik Sinner in the semifinals — a meeting of two players with contrasting styles and very different routes to this stage.

Source: Cincinnati Open

Sinner’s Wimbledon Masterclass: Serve +1 Strategy

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Sinner’s Wimbledon Masterclass: Serve +1 Strategy

Jannik Sinner’s first Wimbledon title was a clinic in modern tactical execution.  Facing Carlos Alcaraz — a player known for variety, finesse, and improvisation — Sinner imposed a relentless baseline rhythm built around the Serve +1 strategy, bending the match to his terms with clinical precision.  But this wasn’t just a tactical win. The unusually hot English summer fundamentally reshaped the court conditions — transforming Wimbledon’s grass into something far more familiar to Sinner: a fast, hard-hitting surface.

Hard-Court Conditions on Grass

Wimbledon’s grass typically favors short points, touch volleys, and low slices.  But under the blistering July sun, the courts dried out and hardened, accelerating ball speed and flattening out bounce. This shift muted the effect of Alcaraz’s signature variety — especially his drop shots and low slices — while increasing the pace of play.

Result? A grass-court match that played like a hard-court.

Serve +1: Designed for Speed and Precision

Sinner capitalized with a textbook Serve +1 formula:

  • First-serve percentage jumped from 55% to 67%

  • Forehand aggression off the return became automatic

  • Court positioning stayed tight to the baseline, robbing Alcaraz of time

With Alcaraz unable to disrupt rhythm through touch or angles, the match became a banging contest.

The Turning Point

Despite a near-flawless first set, Sinner found himself a set down. Alcaraz’s ability to conjure magic from awkward positions — especially with slices and drop shots — initially left Sinner reacting.

Then came the shift.  Sinner’s first-serve efficiency surged, and he began hunting forehands immediately after serve, flipping the dynamic and taking control of rallies from the outset.

The numbers back it up.  As the match progressed, Sinner’s Serve +1 efficiency became even more pronounced. He increased his attack percentage from 25% in the first set to 38% in the second and 40% in the third, reflecting not just a rise in first serves landed, but also in how effectively he followed them up with aggressive forehands.

By the fourth set, he was winning 47% of baseline points, a figure that flipped the script on Alcaraz, who had previously dominated grass with variety and control.

Serve +1 in Action: Control the Tempo

At its core, Serve +1 is simple but deadly:

  • Start with a reliable first serve to stretch or jam the returner

  • Move into the court to position for a forehand

  • Choose your target — inside-out or inside-in — and commit

Sinner executed this pattern ruthlessly and relentlessly. He didn’t wait for rhythm — he created it, repeatedly striking clean forehands off shallow returns to dismantle Alcaraz’s patterns.

Out-Alcarazing

The true breakthrough wasn’t just on serve — it was how Sinner handled second serves:

  • He stayed aggressive, both serving and returning

  • He turned Alcaraz’s second serve into a launchpad for plus-one aggression

  • His second-serve win percentage climbed, outpacing Alcaraz’s by the final two sets

Each aggressive return disrupted Alcaraz’s ability to build points — a subtle, sustained form of pressure that paid dividends.

Hard Court on Grass

Why did this strategy work so well?

  • Alcaraz’s drop shots repeatedly misfired, partly due to Sinner’s court coverage and balance

  • With touch neutralized, baseline rallies defined the match

  • Sinner’s footwork and balance — honed for hard court — allowed him to explode into shots without overplaying

Sinner didn’t just adjust to the surface — he used it to full advantage.

Wrap

Serve +1 isn’t just a strategy — it’s a mindset.  Be first. Be decisive. Be in control.

Stringing Isn’t an Afterthought

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Stringing Isn’t an Afterthought—It’s How You Control the Ball

In competitive tennis, equipment choices are often focused on racket frames—weight, balance, and head size. Yet, one of the most significant contributors to performance is often overlooked: string selection and tension. For players who value precision, consistency, and adaptability, strings are not merely accessories—they are central to controlling how the ball behaves off the racket.

At Wimbledon 2025, the role of stringing was on full display. Over 6,400 rackets passed through the tournament’s stringing center, operated by Babolat. A team of 25 stringers worked continuously from early morning through the end of play, fulfilling player-specific stringing requests that often changed mid-match. Runners covered more than 17 kilometers per day to ensure timely delivery of restrung rackets to courts across the All England Club. This level of detail reflects how top players manage tension and string type as part of their tactical preparation.

Understanding Tension

String tension directly affects how the ball leaves the strings:

  • Higher tension (25+ kg / 55+ lbs) offers greater control and a lower launch angle, which can be advantageous in hot or fast conditions.

  • Lower tension (21–23 kg / 46–51 lbs) provides more power and a softer feel, often beneficial in cooler temperatures or on slower surfaces.

  • Some players go outside this range for specific effects. Adrian Mannarino, for example, has used tensions as low as 8.6 kg to create a trampoline-like response.

To manage changing conditions during a match or across a tournament, players often carry several rackets, each strung at slightly different tensions. Small adjustments—often as little as half a kilogram—can significantly affect ball control, especially at higher levels of play.

Hybrid Stringing: Balancing Control and Comfort

Many competitive players now use hybrid string setups to balance durability, spin, and feel. This typically involves polyester in the mains for control and spin, and natural gut or multifilament in the crosses for comfort and power.

This combination allows players to customize string bed response, making it easier to tailor performance to their playing style or the demands of a specific match. It also helps reduce the risk of arm discomfort associated with full polyester beds while maintaining the advantages of spin generation and durability.

Small Details, High Impact

At the professional level, even seemingly minor preferences—like knot positioning, stencil placement, or ink color—are considered part of the preparation. Players develop routines around how their rackets are strung and presented. While these choices may not directly impact string performance, they support consistency and confidence in match conditions.

Implications for Competitive Players

Competitive players—whether on the tournament circuit or in high-level league play—can benefit from adopting a more structured approach to stringing. Key recommendations include:

  • Track your setup: Record string type, tension, and match conditions. Note how the ball feels and performs under pressure.

  • Adjust tension with environment: Use tighter strings in warm or fast conditions and looser tensions in cooler, slower environments.

  • Experiment with hybrids: If you’re seeking more spin or more comfort, hybrid stringing can provide a practical balance.

  • Re-string consistently: Loss of tension over time can impact feel and performance. Build a restringing schedule based on hours played or number of sessions.

Wrap

Stringing is not a postscript to performance—it’s a central component of preparation. Understanding how tension and string composition influence ball behavior enables players to make informed decisions that directly affect match outcomes.

For those looking to improve consistency and control, especially under match pressure, thoughtful string management is not optional. It’s foundational.

Read more:  A Good String Job Can Manage Your Limitations

Nadal’s Footprints at Wimbledon

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Nadal’s Footprints at Wimbledon

Rich noticed something fascinating at Wimbledon this week.  The court showed deep wear out wide on the ad side baseline – a clear sign of players running around their backhand to dictate with their forehand.

This is what we teach as the “Nadal Variation.”

What is the Nadal Variation?

The Nadal Variation refers to running around the backhand to hit heavy forehands from the ad side to achieve multiple tactical advantages:

  • Shift the contact point laterally
    Stepping wide into the backhand corner opens up sharper inside-out forehand angles, effectively targeting the opponent’s backhand side.

  • Create an inside-in threat
    From that same wide position, players can also redirect down the line (inside-in) to the opponent’s forehand, forcing them to defend both directions and stretching their court coverage.

  • Manage the court coverage trade-off
    While this move leaves the deuce side exposed, the aggressive geometry of the inside-out forehand often pins opponents back, preventing them from exploiting the open court.

Wear Patterns Tell the Story

Repeated use of this tactic creates visible erosion arcs out wide on the ad side baseline – silent evidence of how strategy shapes the surface itself.

Whisperer Reflection

Nadal’s influence isn’t just felt in titles won. His legacy is visible in the geometry of the game itself.

Next time you watch Wimbledon, look closely at those subtle wear marks. They aren’t just scuffs – they are the footprints of a strategic legacy, showing how the Nadal Variation has redefined baseline play for a generation.

Wimbledon Exposes One-Dimensional Players

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Wimbledon Grass Exposes One-Dimensional Players

Wimbledon 2025 has delivered a brutal reminder: grass exposes incomplete games.

To succeed at the highest level, players need a toolbox of skills and tactical options that allows them to adjust to different playing surfaces and conditions. Grass courts demand versatility, while clay requires patience and endurance, and hard courts reward aggressive baseline play. Without the ability to adapt their game style, grips, footwork patterns, and shot selection, even top-ranked players find themselves exposed under pressure.

Seeds Fall Early – Why?

As the third round began, only 27 seeds remained out of 64. This isn’t random chaos. It’s the grass surface demanding adaptability, balance, and versatility.

Grass shortens rallies, making the first strike decisive. Players relying purely on big western groundstrokes find:

  • Their timing disrupted

  • Their balance exposed

  • Their footwork inefficiency punished

Top seeds like Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Alexander Zverev fell early despite strong seasons. Their losses reveal a clear pattern: single-dimensional styles struggle on grass.

Why the Big Western Forehand Struggles on Grass

The modern western or extreme semi-western grip forehand is designed to produce heavy topspin. It’s lethal on hard and clay courts where higher bounces allow players to swing aggressively up and through the ball.  But grass?

  • Keeps the ball low

  • Makes it hard for extreme grips to get under the ball effectively

  • Forces rushed swings or awkward adjustments due to compromised contact points

This is compounded by grass’s fast, skidding nature, which negates the time needed to wind up these forehands. Gauff’s loss is a prime example – her forehand grip couldn’t adjust to Yastremska’s low, fast aggression.

The All-Round Game Wins Wimbledon

Wimbledon is historically dominated by all-court players. Why?

  • They adjust grips seamlessly for low or high balls

  • They transition forward effectively, finishing points at the net

  • Their split-step timing and balance remain stable on slick surfaces

  • Their games are built on variety, not predictability – slices, volleys, flat drives, spins, and touch shots

Emma Raducanu’s upset win exemplified this. She took the ball early, stayed low, and redirected pace with precision. Grass rewards footwork quality and early contact more than baseline spin dominance.

Similarity with Manly Lawn

Wimbledon and Manly Lawn share a key characteristic: both surfaces play fast and stay low.

While Wimbledon’s natural grass is meticulously cut to create a skidding, slick bounce, Manly’s mod grass replicates this with its tight synthetic weave and low pile.

On both courts, the ball skids through quickly, demanding early preparation, strong balance, and compact strokes. Players who thrive on these surfaces are those who adapt with clean footwork, early contact, and versatile shot selection, as pure topspin games often get neutralised by the low bounce and rapid pace.

Takeaway for Competitive Players

If you aspire to be a complete player competing on all surfaces:

  • Develop an adaptable game with a wide variety of speeds and spins, much like Mirra Andreeva, to handle the changing bounce and pace of different courts

  • Refine your footwork, prep steps, and rhythm to maintain balance and timing under pressure

  • Prioritise early preparation to enable stable and efficient stroke execution

  • Enhance your net skills and volleying techniques, as finishing points early reduces exposure to awkward low balls and builds confidence moving forward

The Art of the Drop Shot: Disrupting Rhythm

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The Art of the Drop Shot – Disrupting Rhythm and Redefining Strategy

Once mocked as a gimmick or a “panic play,” the drop shot has emerged as a central weapon in modern tennis arsenals. It’s a shot that does more than win points—it changes the geometry and psychology of a match, disrupting even the most tenacious baseliners and forcing the action forward.

Carlos Alcaraz has become the de facto maestro of the drop shot. His ATP Tour-leading 60% win rate when playing it over the past 52 weeks is a stat that should not be overlooked in a game where even a few percentage points spell the difference between champions and challengers.

Why It Works — Especially on Clay

Clay, particularly at Roland Garros, is the most fertile soil for drop shot mastery. The court’s slower pace and higher bounce drag players deep behind the baseline. This retreating rhythm sets the stage for the ambush—the sudden change of pace, the short ball that barely clears the net, and dies like a feather in the wind.

From 2021 to 2025, the use of drop shots on clay has jumped from 1.7% to 2.3% of shots—an unmistakable trend. Compare that to 1.4% on hard courts and 1.8% on grass, and the drop shot’s home becomes clear.

Timing is Everything

Alcaraz put it best: “It is much better to do a not-great drop shot at the right moment than a perfect one at the wrong time.” It’s not just about disguise or finesse—it’s about using the shot as a strategic disruption, a release valve in a rally, a momentum shifter when your opponent least expects it.

Whether you’re executing a serve-plus-one drop shot to counter a deep returner like Medvedev or setting up a lob after a soft ball, the drop shot doesn’t live in isolation—it is part of a grander narrative.

Drop Shot Usage by Surface (2024)

  • Clay: 2.3%

  • Hard: 1.4%

  • Grass: 1.8%

  • Tour-wide (2025): 1.9% (up from 1.5% in 2021)

The Players Leading the Drop Shot Renaissance

  • Carlos Alcaraz – 3.1% usage, highest win % on tour.

  • Fábián Marozsán – 3.3% usage, 5th-highest.

  • Aryna Sabalenka – Now incorporates it in 20% of her practice time.

  • Ons Jabeur & Lorenzo Musetti – Artists of variation, blending drop shots into creative sequences.

  • Iga Świątek – Slowly re-integrating the shot after early-career reliance.

Wrap

Today’s game is a blend of power and artistry. And like any masterpiece, it thrives on contrast. The drop shot is not just a tactic; it’s a philosophy. In a homogenized era of baseline bangers, it is the unpredictable flourish that breaks rhythm and tests footwork.