I'm working on a lot more videos like this in the pipeline! Please subscribe to my channel! And feel free to comment below for requests of what you want to see!
You should make a video where you analyze like a 6 utr match or something. Just someone near most peoples level so they can kind of see what that player is doing wrong which is probalby what they do also. Channel is fire btw
This is on my list for sure!!!! I find UTR 5-10 matches & tactics very interesting. You can see so much improvement from studying tactics in that range! Keep an eye on the channel and I'll get some stuff out like that eventually! Lots in the pipeline, but it's coming! haha
Oh, I have got to spend time on lefty specific tactics! I've got lots on my list, but it is coming! I've gotten that request from a few people now! Shape would be a great guy to analyze for that series! 🎯
Thank you! Just getting started, but I have big plans to make this the go to place for DEEP tennis strategy! Thanks for watching! If you have any questions or requests - send 'em my way!
I'm convinced that a MAJOR reason serves don't get broken often is simply because the opponent is not really trying. Most players approach sets with the mindset: 1. I HAVE TO hold my serve. 2. If I get 2 easy points on my opponent's serve, then I'll try to focus more and break his serve. In any point, after the rally has been going for 4 or 5 shots, there's absolutely no advantage anymore to the server, yet he will win the point in the vast majority of cases simply because of his determined mindset and his opponent's tentative mindset.
Hot Take! haha but sure, I'll take the other side - 1. You're right that the server's advantage diminishes deeper in the rally, but there are usually a high percentage of points played in less than 4 shots. Bold to assume players aren't fighting for those. Some would argue those are more important. 2. I'm prone to think that competition would have driven someone to focus more on return games a long time ago. People like to win and take every advantage they can. The game has been played awhile... I would think by now the whole group of top players are pretty set on winning as many points as they can. Especially with money on the line... Food for thought! Thanks for stopping by the channel!! 👊🏻
Thanks. That’s very useful. The only thing I would say is that the ‘return to centre’ rule depends a bit on the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent. If I realise that the backhand is not very strong for example, then it may be good to vary the placement of the return.
Absolutely! Kind of a two part situation here, 1. knowing what tactics are out there are options, and 2. knowing which tactics you should use in certain situations. I have my own ideas around the second part, but those will come in later videos. 👀 😂
First of all - great video and great explanation!!! This video is a really nice representation of how the pro's think and how they break serve and construct points. HOwever, I don't believe that this tactic should not be used in regular 3.5 - 5.0 USTA matches simply because the serves are not that big. Usually, people are serving, on average, 95 mph at most first serves and most of the time, it might even be in the 80's mph on average. These serves are weaker than the second serves of the pro's. THe most important shot in league tennis is the return of serve, NOT the serve and so trying to get to a neutral position instead of learning how to attack serves is not a great tactic. Hit to the middle deep is a good start, but creating angles and pace and punishing the serves is a better one to gain the advantage at most lower level tennis levels (look at WTA history for example). Just my 2 c worth. Regardless, really nice video and explanation!
Cool to hear you say this because the video I'm working on right now is focused on how a certain WTA player is attacking second serves and winning a MASSIVE number of points! Her tactic is a cool tactic that not is not commonly talked about, and I'm excited to hear if you think you could apply it!
@@tennistactics I Think it's more about the mental weakness of his opponents at clutch moments. Which we've just witnessed from Musetti losing the first set to Djoko in Monte Carlo out of nowhere. They suddenly remember they are playing Novak Djokovic and his reputation instead of just playing the ball point by point and they choke.
This is a great question! The key here is to note that both players are being held behind the baseline. If you can step inside and are in the middle, go ahead and attack by hitting wide. But if you are behind the baseline and both in a neutral position, then we want to wait and be patient. The idea is that is your opponent hits wide first, then we can hit a little more aggressively because they opened up a longer line on the court. So, the opponent can hit into the outer 3rds for sure, but they are more likely to make the ball if they hit incrementally into the outer thirds. But once they do we can reliably hit further into the outer thirds and tread them more. Does that make sense?
Great explanation...but is it really what they are really doing??? Could there be another explanation for what they do??? Just curious! Yours seems 100% spot on!
Fair point! There are honestly a couple ways to slice this pie but they're all explaining the same thing. I will say, that regardless of whether or not this is what Djoker is thinking at the time, I've seen the philosophy help a ton of players get good results on their return and I can guarantee Novak has heard this idea, because its something I've heard a lot of coaches talk about with their players.
Thanks for the feedback! Would love to teach 100K players DEEP tennis strategy here! Also, I will look into the video quality thing - thanks for the heads up!
Those are pros with Hawkeyes. If you have played any tournament, you should know that anything within a feet of the baseline will be called out by cheaters, and there are lots of cheater, ranging from the ones that always cheat, the ones that cheat on breakpoint up, breakpoint down, ad out or ad in, the matchpoint cheater, the list goes on. What's waaaaaay more effective is hitting hard middle, but not that deep.
So Federer couldn't find an ace on 40-15? It was that net cord, that ruined everything, that was going to be an ace- Novak was guessing the wrong way, basically there had to be some kind of divine intervention, Sampras never failed to serve an ace on match point at Wimbledon.
Depth is NOT a function of tactics. It is almost purely the result of technique. If tactics were the most important thing, we could all play great. You don’t aim deep. You have technique that doesn’t allow the ball to go long, freeing us up to let the ball go deep. Novak’s placement down the middle is a concession to the great serves he is returning as it is exponentially more difficult to change the line of an incoming ball. Now let’s talk about your viewers - amateur players receiving weaker serves, not particularly well placed. This changes the return into a shot against a short ball within a known half of the court. This then makes the return into a shot which can be attacked. Why attempt to hit a down the middle in order to get another short ball to attack. You are already receiving your lollipop. And going for returns pressures your opponent into doubling faulting. Unless playing a person who misses every other ball, the return is the best opportunity to go for a shot, especially on second serves. Pointless amateur advice here.
IMO good tactics drive good technique. There would be no reason to develop technique that creates a deep ball, while not missing long, if that was not an optimal target. Also, I’m not as interested in tactics of matches with opponents of mismatched levels. If you are more skilled than your opponent, you are in a position to take advantage of a weak second serve. But if you are limited by a similar skill level and your opponents serve pressures you, the same tactics apply as the points we watch in this video.
Also, I think you are underestimating the level of players that are often interested in my videos. The range is wide all the way from beginners up to college players and coaches. Fortunately good tactics can help everyone win more matches.
@ hitting deep is not a tactic. It‘s like saying that breathing is a good strategy for life. Any decent player who goes to RUclips pundits is doomed from the start.
@ tactics drive technique? You mean it’s a good tactic to generate 4,000rpm on your topspin shots. Or how about the tactic of hitting your serve 140mph? If only I had designed that tactic for myself, I would have been ranked higher than #7 in the world in singles and #3 in the world in doubles. Too bad I didn’t get your advice when I was on tour, tactically speaking.
1. If this really is Sandy Mayer, I’m stoked to meet you! Even though you don’t seem to like my ideas very much… 😅 2. I, personally, wouldn’t call either of the things you mentioned in your comment “tactics”. To me, tactics are about patterns in where you are hitting the ball in order to put your opponent in tough situations and win points. Technique is all about how you are hitting the ball there in ways that are consistent and pressuring. Both are very valuable if you are trying to win matches! 3. And yes, tactics drive technique. Once you know where you are trying to hit the ball, the next question is how to hit it there in a way that best serves the overall goal of winning the point.
?? Novak is significantly behind Rafa (and Guillermo Coria) and on par with Agassi in career stats for breaking serve. And he's behind Carlos and Demon and on par with Jannik and Daniil for the last 12 months. That's truly excellent - but not alltime great. Novak has this reputation as "Breaker of Serves" - but he's merely great, not greatest. And there is much more nuance on why he is GOAT in tournament stats....
ATP stats says Rafa is 45%. Novak is 44%. You are wrong. In maybe 2011, Novak is like a return god. In some matches, he had stats like 92% first serve in or something, 80% some other thing. And carries on for a few yrs.
Some other players have similar stats, but I still felt like there is a lot to learn from Novak’s return game. I’m sure I’d enjoy breaking down some other player’s return strategies as well though! 🤷🏻♂️
@@tennistactics I don't know who you talking to but I'm talking to original poster. He said Rafa is significantly ahead, and he said career stat, break of serve. Well, in what world is 45 significantly ahead of 44? Anyway, you don't need to reply back.
I'm working on a lot more videos like this in the pipeline! Please subscribe to my channel! And feel free to comment below for requests of what you want to see!
Great teachers can pick a complex topic and make it simple to interesting to fun.
Congrats!!!🔥🔥🔥
That is an awesome compliment - thank you!
What a amazing channel!
I've got big plans for this channel! Excited to bring something pretty unique to RUclips!
Really great video and explanations! This kind of content will especially hit with the competitive and/or nerdy tennis player demographic on here
😂 I resonate a lot with competitive over thinkers! Thanks for the shoutout my man! 🙌🏻
Great graphics.
Very clear discussion.
Thanks Josh
Thanks for the feedback! I'm really excited about stuff like this! Video is such a good way to teach strategy! 🎯
Jeez best breakdown with visuals and short and sweet. Amazing job!!
Thanks! Lots in the pipeline! I'm stoked to hear you like what I'm working on!
His defense and mental stamina is really tough too.
Oh, for sure! The dude's a wizard!
Some of the clearest explanations I have ever come across… 👏👏👏 Great content
Yo! Great feedback! Thanks, man! 👊🏻
Way cool to see how well the models fit real match footage! 👀
It’s pretty cool, right!?
Love the channel so far. Please keep it up. It's refreshing to see a new tennis channel that isnt based around "yet another way" to hit a forehand
YES! I am so stoked to go DEEP on the the tactics! More coming for sure!!!
I absolutely love your videos. They are opening my mind to the simplicity of winning. I just wish you offered private lessons!
Thanks, man! Keep an eye on the channel and I’ll try to teach you as much as I can! 🫡
You should make a video where you analyze like a 6 utr match or something. Just someone near most peoples level so they can kind of see what that player is doing wrong which is probalby what they do also. Channel is fire btw
This is on my list for sure!!!! I find UTR 5-10 matches & tactics very interesting. You can see so much improvement from studying tactics in that range!
Keep an eye on the channel and I'll get some stuff out like that eventually! Lots in the pipeline, but it's coming! haha
Omg yes
Just subscribed and shared this video with my 3.0 Singles team. We start our season soon! If it works for Novak, it certainly help me…
Love it! Thanks for passing it on! I'll try to bring you some more good stuff here soon! Good luck in the season! 👊🏻
awesome stuff
Hey thanks for coming back to the channel and checking out another video! Glad you appreciate this one - one of the greatest return strategies IMO! 🔥
Awesome breakdown. Can you please breakdown a few more return plays, 3 is just too few!!
Absolutely! This is just one return tactic we can copy from the pros. Stick around the channel, I have a lot more plays to breakdown! 👀
Very good video! thanks 👍
Hey, thank you for the feedback! I'm stoked you liked it!
Great videos!!! Thanks so much. Would you ever do one on lefty tactics. Someone like Shapo when he is playing well
Oh, I have got to spend time on lefty specific tactics! I've got lots on my list, but it is coming! I've gotten that request from a few people now! Shape would be a great guy to analyze for that series! 🎯
That’d be great. Very little content out there about how to play as a lefty. Even less as a one handed lefty
clear explanations
Glad you appreciate it! I have a lot more stuff like this coming! Please consider subscribing to see what's coming next! 💡
Great video. This is just the sort of content I'm looking for.
Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad you enjoyed it! I have a lot of stuff like this in my head and I've finally found the perfect way to teach it!!
Good luck with the channel
Thank you! Just getting started, but I have big plans to make this the go to place for DEEP tennis strategy! Thanks for watching! If you have any questions or requests - send 'em my way!
Great vid, super helpful.
Yes! Stoked that you enjoyed it!! Lots planned for this channel!
I'm convinced that a MAJOR reason serves don't get broken often is simply because the opponent is not really trying.
Most players approach sets with the mindset:
1. I HAVE TO hold my serve.
2. If I get 2 easy points on my opponent's serve, then I'll try to focus more and break his serve.
In any point, after the rally has been going for 4 or 5 shots, there's absolutely no advantage anymore to the server, yet he will win the point in the vast majority of cases simply because of his determined mindset and his opponent's tentative mindset.
Prove me wrong.😌
Hot Take! haha but sure, I'll take the other side -
1. You're right that the server's advantage diminishes deeper in the rally, but there are usually a high percentage of points played in less than 4 shots. Bold to assume players aren't fighting for those. Some would argue those are more important.
2. I'm prone to think that competition would have driven someone to focus more on return games a long time ago. People like to win and take every advantage they can. The game has been played awhile... I would think by now the whole group of top players are pretty set on winning as many points as they can. Especially with money on the line...
Food for thought! Thanks for stopping by the channel!! 👊🏻
Doesn’t everyone enter a match wanting to inflict a bagel…?
🐐 coach
Too kind, too kind. 😂 but I'm stoked to be able to coach like this!
Thanks. That’s very useful. The only thing I would say is that the ‘return to centre’ rule depends a bit on the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent. If I realise that the backhand is not very strong for example, then it may be good to vary the placement of the return.
Absolutely! Kind of a two part situation here, 1. knowing what tactics are out there are options, and 2. knowing which tactics you should use in certain situations. I have my own ideas around the second part, but those will come in later videos. 👀 😂
Great tips sir ❤
Give them to Virat - maybe RCB will win tennis matches. They definitely won't win anything in cricket.
Thank you! Glad you found it helpful!
😂
Love it 🏆❤️🎾
Thanks for the feedback, man!! Glad you enjoy the breakdown!
The graphics and breakdown are 🔥 when’s this going to be on Tennis Channel?
I'd be down for 2025.
Or, if the call me soon, I'd consider this year's French Open. 🤷🏻♂️
First of all - great video and great explanation!!! This video is a really nice representation of how the pro's think and how they break serve and construct points. HOwever, I don't believe that this tactic should not be used in regular 3.5 - 5.0 USTA matches simply because the serves are not that big. Usually, people are serving, on average, 95 mph at most first serves and most of the time, it might even be in the 80's mph on average. These serves are weaker than the second serves of the pro's. THe most important shot in league tennis is the return of serve, NOT the serve and so trying to get to a neutral position instead of learning how to attack serves is not a great tactic. Hit to the middle deep is a good start, but creating angles and pace and punishing the serves is a better one to gain the advantage at most lower level tennis levels (look at WTA history for example). Just my 2 c worth. Regardless, really nice video and explanation!
Cool to hear you say this because the video I'm working on right now is focused on how a certain WTA player is attacking second serves and winning a MASSIVE number of points! Her tactic is a cool tactic that not is not commonly talked about, and I'm excited to hear if you think you could apply it!
I’m definitely looking forward to seeing some WTA players on your channel 🙌🏻
Need to bring back some WTA soon!
Sweet video. Can you make a video about some of Sinner's strategies next? 🙏
Thanks! I appreciate the feedback!
I'll add Sinner to the que! Big fan of his game! 👌🏻
Making sure you saw this video on Sinner's tactics V Djokovic!! ruclips.net/video/m6Krj9t0i-4/видео.html
@@tennistactics Thanks! I'll give it a watch right now!
Seeing this comment again as I’m getting stoked to analyze his us open win! Dinner strategies coming soon! 🙌🏻
Enjoyed this!
Thanks, man! Appreciate the feedback! 👊🏻
A lot of it's down to his mental tactics also and intimidation factor he holds over his opponents.
Absolutely! Djoker's mental tactics would make another fascinating video by themselves!
@@tennistactics I Think it's more about the mental weakness of his opponents at clutch moments. Which we've just witnessed from Musetti losing the first set to Djoko in Monte Carlo out of nowhere. They suddenly remember they are playing Novak Djokovic and his reputation instead of just playing the ball point by point and they choke.
Oh, yeah I see what you're saying. I'm sure it would be a lot of pressure playing against those guys who have been at the top so long.
Why cant you attack with a normal ball from the middle court and you have to wait for a shorter,slower, closer to the edge of the middle line ball?
This is a great question! The key here is to note that both players are being held behind the baseline. If you can step inside and are in the middle, go ahead and attack by hitting wide. But if you are behind the baseline and both in a neutral position, then we want to wait and be patient. The idea is that is your opponent hits wide first, then we can hit a little more aggressively because they opened up a longer line on the court.
So, the opponent can hit into the outer 3rds for sure, but they are more likely to make the ball if they hit incrementally into the outer thirds. But once they do we can reliably hit further into the outer thirds and tread them more. Does that make sense?
@@tennistactics yes thanks
Great explanation...but is it really what they are really doing??? Could there be another explanation for what they do??? Just curious! Yours seems 100% spot on!
Fair point! There are honestly a couple ways to slice this pie but they're all explaining the same thing. I will say, that regardless of whether or not this is what Djoker is thinking at the time, I've seen the philosophy help a ton of players get good results on their return and I can guarantee Novak has heard this idea, because its something I've heard a lot of coaches talk about with their players.
Awesome channel, keep it up, you will reach 100k sub soon, also your video is in 4k & FullHD but the real video quality is not good.
Thanks for the feedback! Would love to teach 100K players DEEP tennis strategy here! Also, I will look into the video quality thing - thanks for the heads up!
Those are pros with Hawkeyes. If you have played any tournament, you should know that anything within a feet of the baseline will be called out by cheaters, and there are lots of cheater, ranging from the ones that always cheat, the ones that cheat on breakpoint up, breakpoint down, ad out or ad in, the matchpoint cheater, the list goes on. What's waaaaaay more effective is hitting hard middle, but not that deep.
That's a fair point, whenever you're playing someone with questionable line calls, mind your margins!!
So Federer couldn't find an ace on 40-15? It was that net cord, that ruined everything, that was going to be an ace- Novak was guessing the wrong way, basically there had to be some kind of divine intervention, Sampras never failed to serve an ace on match point at Wimbledon.
Haha I know the feeling. I look back on so many close call fed points and just think, “What if…” 😂
Got a like just to show Novak picture...lol.
😂
That was then. Now, it's the opposite. It is curtains down for Djoko and Nadal.
😂
“Tactics”
😂
Depth is NOT a function of tactics. It is almost purely the result of technique. If tactics were the most important thing, we could all play great. You don’t aim deep. You have technique that doesn’t allow the ball to go long, freeing us up to let the ball go deep. Novak’s placement down the middle is a concession to the great serves he is returning as it is exponentially more difficult to change the line of an incoming ball. Now let’s talk about your viewers - amateur players receiving weaker serves, not particularly well placed. This changes the return into a shot against a short ball within a known half of the court. This then makes the return into a shot which can be attacked. Why attempt to hit a down the middle in order to get another short ball to attack. You are already receiving your lollipop. And going for returns pressures your opponent into doubling faulting. Unless playing a person who misses every other ball, the return is the best opportunity to go for a shot, especially on second serves. Pointless amateur advice here.
IMO good tactics drive good technique. There would be no reason to develop technique that creates a deep ball, while not missing long, if that was not an optimal target.
Also, I’m not as interested in tactics of matches with opponents of mismatched levels. If you are more skilled than your opponent, you are in a position to take advantage of a weak second serve. But if you are limited by a similar skill level and your opponents serve pressures you, the same tactics apply as the points we watch in this video.
Also, I think you are underestimating the level of players that are often interested in my videos. The range is wide all the way from beginners up to college players and coaches. Fortunately good tactics can help everyone win more matches.
@ hitting deep is not a tactic. It‘s like saying that breathing is a good strategy for life. Any decent player who goes to RUclips pundits is doomed from the start.
@ tactics drive technique? You mean it’s a good tactic to generate 4,000rpm on your topspin shots. Or how about the tactic of hitting your serve 140mph? If only I had designed that tactic for myself, I would have been ranked higher than #7 in the world in singles and #3 in the world in doubles. Too bad I didn’t get your advice when I was on tour, tactically speaking.
1. If this really is Sandy Mayer, I’m stoked to meet you! Even though you don’t seem to like my ideas very much… 😅
2. I, personally, wouldn’t call either of the things you mentioned in your comment “tactics”. To me, tactics are about patterns in where you are hitting the ball in order to put your opponent in tough situations and win points. Technique is all about how you are hitting the ball there in ways that are consistent and pressuring. Both are very valuable if you are trying to win matches!
3. And yes, tactics drive technique. Once you know where you are trying to hit the ball, the next question is how to hit it there in a way that best serves the overall goal of winning the point.
?? Novak is significantly behind Rafa (and Guillermo Coria) and on par with Agassi in career stats for breaking serve. And he's behind Carlos and Demon and on par with Jannik and Daniil for the last 12 months. That's truly excellent - but not alltime great. Novak has this reputation as "Breaker of Serves" - but he's merely great, not greatest. And there is much more nuance on why he is GOAT in tournament stats....
ATP stats says Rafa is 45%. Novak is 44%. You are wrong. In maybe 2011, Novak is like a return god. In some matches, he had stats like 92% first serve in or something, 80% some other thing. And carries on for a few yrs.
Some other players have similar stats, but I still felt like there is a lot to learn from Novak’s return game. I’m sure I’d enjoy breaking down some other player’s return strategies as well though! 🤷🏻♂️
Hm, I pulled the numbers from ATP’s website when I made the video. Looking at career-long numbers. Not sure if we are looking at the same thing? 🤷🏻♂️
@@tennistactics I don't know who you talking to but I'm talking to original poster. He said Rafa is significantly ahead, and he said career stat, break of serve. Well, in what world is 45 significantly ahead of 44? Anyway, you don't need to reply back.
It's not wild when the stats are vs the top 100 when he is no. 1 in the world.
😂😂😂
Haha fair, but maybe those wild stats are part of what make him number one in the world?🤔