Have you ever heard someone say “play the score”? What does that mean? Play the score means, make your shot selection according to whether you are ahead or behind in the game. Whether you are serving or returning, you need to base your shot on the score. If you are ahead in the game, you can go for a riskier shot. If you are behind, you should choose a safer, more consistent shot. What is safe and what is risky? Let’s take a look.
If you are serving from behind. (ex.15-40)…Play it safe. That means serve your most consistent serve (preferably to their backhand) even if it means hitting your second serve.
If you are returning serve from behind. …Play it safe. Hit your return cross court and get the point started.
In both the above cases, once the point starts, rally the ball cross court and deep. Changing the direction of the ball (hitting down the line) is riskier than cross court, and also opens up the court for your opponent. Let your opponent make the first mistake.
If you are ahead in the game, you can try the risky shot. For example, the big serve down the middle, or the kick serve out wide. You could try a return down the line, a lob, drop shot, or any other type of winner. However, you don’t have to try a risky shot just because you are ahead. If playing consistent tennis has given you a lead, why tamper with success? If you are going to try a risky shot, remember when to try that “winner” that we all love to hit. Play the score.
