How to Win a Tennis Match Against a Better Player

Is it possible to win a tennis match against a better player?

I think the answer is yes.

What exactly makes a tennis player “better” to start with?

It could be many things.

Maybe they have more training…consistent hits…better serves…the list goes on.

What this “better” player also has is weaknesses…and those are what you want to focus on!

In this post we will cover things that will help you get pumped up for your match against your tough opponent and how to plan a tennis strategy that will help give you an edge.

How to Win a Tennis Match Against a Better Player

Be Confident Before You Step Out On the Court

If you go into the match thinking that you have NO CHANCE and you are going to lose…guess what is going to happen?

YOU WILL LOSE.

However, if you step out on the court with confidence and you know what you are good at?

You have just given yourself the opportunity to win.

Make a List of What Your Proud Of

Are there certain tennis skills you have that you are proud of?

Maybe you can serve like a pro or you have an awesome backhand.

Whatever your awesome skills are…get out a piece of paper and write them down.

Make a list of all the things you are great at and stick that in your tennis bag.

Make sure to read it before you practice or play a match.

This will help give you confidence before you walk out onto the court.

And don’t forget to continue to ADD to this list as your tennis skills sharpen and you become more advanced.

Woman listening to music before tennis match

Find a Theme Song

Is there a certain song that revs you up?

Find one that makes you feel excited and ready to play and listen to it before your match.

Make sure it has powerful lyrics that you can connect with and repeat in your head when the going gets tough.

Spot Their Weaknesses

It is CRUCIAL to spot your opponent’s weaknesses in order to gain an edge.

This is an important doubles strategy and crucial in singles as well.

During the warm-up see if you can spot where they waiver a little bit.

Are their backhands weak? Do they seem to have trouble with their footwork?

Pay close attention to how they move and how they hit the ball.

If you see a weakness, take note of it and work it into your tennis strategy to help you win.

Focus on Your Strengths

Use your strengths to win points.

If your strength matches up to one of their weaknesses…even better.

For example, if they have a weak backhand and one of your strengths is your ability to aim your shot anywhere…make sure to be aiming for that backhand as much as possible.

Let Them Make the Mistakes

Points can be won by your opponent making mistakes.

Instead of focusing on getting the winning shot..just focus on hitting the ball back over the net.

You don’t need to do a “winning shot” in order to win a point.

Sometimes we can get so caught up in making a good shot that we just end up slamming the ball into the net.

Get to Every Point

One of my biggest strengths when it comes to playing tennis is that I get to EVERY point.

I am like a dog with a bone.

I don’t always have the best form and my strokes are not perfect…but when that ball is hit to my side of the court I will do anything to get to it.

When you make a commitment to get to every point you are giving yourself every opportunity to score.

If your opponent is over confident they may not feel the need to do this and they can get a bit lazy.

When they see you getting to every ball…you may just shake up a bit and throw off their game.

Change Up Your Strategy

If something isn’t working..switch it up.

One of my favorite little tricks to do is to use my second serve as my first.

Everyone expects that hard first serve…but if you give them a softer serve they may return the ball to hard because it wasn’t what they were expecting.

You can change where you are standing for returns…or how fast you get up to the net as well.

Get creative!