Tennis strategy: 9 tips to control the court

Even the strongest players – like Ben Shelton and his 150mph serve – have to adapt to win. Take the 2025 Australian Open. In the first round, Shelton’s returns were shaky. Instead of forcing risky shots, he played smart by keeping the ball in play and minimizing mistakes. 

Pressure mounted. Openings appeared. In the final game, two unforced errors from his opponent handed Shelton the victory.

Because winning in tennis isn’t just about raw strength. It’s about understanding your own game, reading your opponent and adjusting your strategy. Your greatest advantages can also be your blind spots, so use them wisely. A strength is only as powerful as the player behind it. 

You can’t build a successful singles tennis strategy without knowing your game. What’s your edge? Powerful groundstrokes, agile net play or relentless defense and countering? 

Unlike Shelton, former pro Brad Gilbert wasn’t known for his power, but racked up 20 career titles. In Winning Ugly, he put simply, “I win because I have the ability to implement my basic game strategy successfully: maximize my strengths and minimize my weaknesses.” For Gilbert, that meant strategically placing the ball where he wanted – and where his opponent didn’t. 

There are many ways to win. Use your integrity, but understand you can expand the definition of what’s possible. 

- Offensive baseliner: Dictates points with groundstrokes,  hitting deep, fast shots to push opponents back and create openings for winners.

- Defensive baseliner: Relies on consistency, speed and patience to grind opponents down. Uses heavy topspin and slices to keep rallies going. 

- Serve-and-volleyer: Follows their serve or uses approach shots to charge the net to finish points fast. It’s a key part of Shelton’s game. “Big serves and aggressive forehands. I love to take control of the point early and make my opponent uncomfortable,” he says. “The key is to stay on the front foot and keep the pressure on.”

Recognizing these styles doesn’t just shape your own game, it helps you identify patterns in your opponents and find ways to outwork them.

Take your opponent out of their comfort zone. As Shelton puts it, “If someone has a big forehand, make them hit backhands. If they love hitting winners, extend the rally and make them work for every point.” 

Start by identifying their strengths – whether it’s a powerful serve, bold net play or a strong baseline game. Then, find ways to disrupt their rhythm. Pay close attention to how they respond under pressure. 

“I watch how they handle pressure moments,” Shelton says. “Are they more comfortable hitting forehands or backhands? Do they like to come to the net or stay back? Those patterns tell you a lot about how to attack.”

If they struggle with high-bouncing shots, use topspin to push them deep. If they excel in long rallies, mix in drop shots and well-timed net approaches. 

The baseline is your command center – where power, angles and time are on your side. Up close, big swings are tough, but back here, you’ll get a full runway to unleash your shots. Master it, and you set the pace. 

Hitting the ball deep pushes your opponent back, cutting their angles and limiting their attacking options. The farther they are from the net, the harder their shots. Deep shots put you in control of the rally and buy time to set up your next move. The key? Aim just inside the baseline with topspin – strong, safe and strategic. 

Charging to the net after hitting an approach shot is a power move. Your opponent is sent into a tough, defensive shot – giving you the perfect chance to finish. Hesitate, and they recover. Close in, and you cut off their angles, shrink their reaction time, and put yourself in position to win the point. 

Varying shot height disrupts your opponent’s rhythm and lets you control the rally’s pace. High topspin shots push them back when they approach the net, while low slices keep them off balance when they’re deep. Mix it up and decide the tempo, making it harder for them to settle into their preferred style. 

Great tennis players know one strategy won’t cut it – you have to adapt. As Shelton puts it, “It’s all about reading the situation.” If your baseline game isn’t working, mix in slices, drop shots or net approaches to change the pace. 

“A lot of players don’t have a plan B,” Shelton says. “If their go-to strategy isn’t working, they just keep trying it instead of adapting. You have to stay flexible and keep problem-solving during the match.” 

Switching it up keeps your opponent guessing and off balance. Stay unpredictable – adjust spin, pace and shot selection to keep the upper hand.  

The best players know mistakes happen, but what sets them apart is how they respond. Dwell on a missed shot, and it can spiral into a lost set. 

Even Federer faced setbacks. At the 2007 Hamburg Masters, he found himself down a set to Rafael Nadal, who was riding an 81-match clay-court win streak. Instead of folding, Federer adjusted his game, stayed present, and rallied to win the next two sets to secure the singles title. 

“It’s all about movement and staying calm,” says Shelton. “When you’re on defense, you need to buy yourself time and find a way to get back to the point. Use your legs, add spin and stay patient.” 

Down a break or off rhythm, mental strength helps you to reset, adapt your tennis tactics and stay in the game. 

Anticipation is one of the most valuable skills in tennis – it helps you to react faster and stay one step ahead. As former professional hockey player Wayne Gretzky famously said, “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.” The same principle in hockey goes for tennis. 

If your opponent’s off-balance, their next shot is likely to be short or down the line – so adjust early. If they favor inside-out forehands, recognize the pattern and cut off the angle. 

Reading body language and shot tendencies lets you react quicker, take control, and stop playing catch-up.  

Walking onto the court with a solid strategy helps you play to your strengths and minimize weaknesses. If your backhand’s shaky, slice your way through the point. If you’re facing a defensive baseliner, a bold approach can break their rhythm.  

Strategy keeps you composed when things aren’t going your way. Instead of panicking when you’re down in a set, trust your plan, make adjustments and stay focused on the bigger picture.

Improving your tactics takes effort, but working with a coach or studying your opponents gives you an edge. Even if you can’t scout footage, watching pros adapt to different opponents and court surfaces can sharpen your own instincts. The more prepared you are, the better your decisions under pressure.  

Improve your tennis strategy by heading to the court. Every match is an opportunity to learn and refine your game plan.