TENNIS TACTICS: TIME AND SPACE

There are multiple grips, swings and game styles in the world of tennis. But if you dig a little deeper, you will notice that the point has likely been won or lost due to one of two things: Time and space.

One player will have enough time to execute the shot they are looking for or have a large enough space to swing freely with confidence. Conversely, the opponent will have no time to react to the oncoming shot or be forced into hitting to a smaller space which in turn reduces their chances of success.

If we take the simple act of serving and returning, we can see very clearly where the success or lack thereof comes from. If the serve is too fast, the returner will react late and will not have time to make the return. If the serve is slicing or kicking out of the returners hitting zone the server is creating space for their next stroke.

On the other hand, if the serve is ineffective, the returner can either take time away from the server by hitting it deep and hard back down the middle or hit to the open space and make the server run.

A player can also create time and space for themselves or take it away from their opponents through their court position. Taking a position close to the baseline will see you take the ball earlier, resulting in your opponent having less time to play their stroke. This style is most associated with an aggressive baseliner or an all-court player looking for an opportunity to move forward and finish the point at the net.

For the player who relies more on consistency, they may take more of a defensive position well behind the baseline to give them more time to react to the ball and the feeling of more space to hit their stroke.

Other elements that create time, space and in some cases both, include spin, height, and depth. Depending on the shot that you hit and the amount of spin you have on the ball, this will determine how much time your opponent has to react and the space they must hit their next shot.

If the shot is fast and deep with minimal spin, the opponent will have less reaction time. Hitting with more spin and height will create more depth, pushing the opponent back and therefore limiting their time and forcing them to hit short. As a result, it creates more space for the hitter and more time to execute.

Speed and direction are other ways to create time and space for yourself or take it away from your opponent. Hitting fast generally leads to an opponent hitting short which provides more time for your next strike, while at the same time, creating a bigger target area. The direction you hit also has an impact on time and space.

Directing the ball to your opponent’s weakness will lead to a short reply, therefore handing you time to play your shot and open the space or move your opponent side to side which will take their time away as they are running and will lead to them aiming for a smaller space to finish the point. Perhaps the most obvious example of direction is in doubles when a player will hit the ball straight at the volleyer standing close to the net to take away their reaction time.

Whether you are playing a match, watching your children play or watching a Grand Slam final, analyse each point and see how often you can trace the winning or losing of the point back to either time or space. You may be surprised!