How to adjust your play to help you win a high-pressure point.

Players are often able to conjure up amazing feats of energy and fitness at match point that make spectators and coaches wonder why they didn’t play like that earlier in the match. Today we’re going to discuss how you can adjust your tactics and play on important points, such as game balls and match balls, to help you be more successful in converting match balls or saving them if you are on the receiving end.

Match ball up

The first thing is to ignore it. Ignore the score. Even the best intentioned of players can start to become sloppy, even while being focused. It’s very easy to drop a bit deeper on the court and hit the ball a bit later and all of a sudden the quality of shot, intensity and movement isn’t there and the other player is closing in. Make sure you focus on putting pressure on your opponent with each shot you play and ensuring that whatever you do, you don’t let your opponent’s shots bounce twice. Always make sure you fight tooth and nail when at match ball – do not let the ball bounce twice. While the ball is in play, your opponent is under immense pressure, so bust a gut to keep your opponent under that pressure as you never know when it might get to them.
Second of all, similarly to what we will discuss when match ball down, you should try to be more disciplined when closing the match out. Don’t attack half-chances or go for short shots unless you are sure it is on and you are in a strong position. This will likely result in you playing a lot more length shots, which is fine so long as you hit them accurately and at a good tempo, which means taking them early where possible and not letting the ball hit the back wall. By doing this, you might even panic your opponent, who at match ball down, might be feeling the need to try something spectacular and so might do something rash out of frustration in response to your disciplined play.

Match ball down

When match ball down, there is an argument to say you should just go gung-ho and spectacular but most comebacks I’ve ever achieved have started, and often finished, with very boring, predictable lengths. I don’t like the idea of playing not to lose very often during matches but at match ball down, it is in my opinion the best tactic. You can make yourself very hard to beat and also really test your opponent’s mindset, as if they’ve lost a tiny bit of focus or are a bit hasty in wanting to finish you off, lots of length shots might make it impossible for them to break you down. This can start to put them under pressure as they start to worry about you catching up, which in turn plays into the tactic of keeping it long, as they may become increasingly edgy and impatient and start attempting shots that aren’t viable.
You need to hit your length shots early though. If you play at a really slow, steady rhythm you can allow them to attack you and give them an advantage. Make sure you try to step forwards and hit the length shots somewhere around the back of the serve box so that you are not only hard to break down, you are also hard to break down at a high tempo, doubling your defences.

Next time you are game or match ball up or down, have a go at the suggestions made here and see if you are able to be more successful in winning these crucial points. Best of luck!