One of the most frequent comments made by television, tennis commentators, by coaches and teaching pros is the following: "He/She/You need(s) to play more aggressive tennis."
 
Aggression is a word that literally means "causing harm or injury to someone without the use of physical force." This definition is definitely NOT what commentators, coaches or teaching pros literally wish the player in question to do.
 
Aggression in tennis is anything that can "hurt" your opponent's chances of winning and/or put your opponent into a defensive posture. Perhaps a better word to use than "aggressive" tennis would be "offensive" tennis.
 
This may seem like a frivolous distinction, and indeed, it may be. But, having foreign readers who patronize my column regularly, I want to make certain that there is no confusion, if English is not their primary language. So as I use the word aggressive, I am really referring to that which emphasizes offense in our wonderful game.
 
In this month's column, I will focus upon what is aggressive tennis, when to employ it and when not to employ it, and when to know that aggression in your tennis game is acting in a counterproductive manner. Before my direct discussion, I want to set the stage for what is to follow by making specific reference to a recently played, professional match.
 
In watching the Men's Singles Final at the 2013 U.S.Open, there was a major change in the tenor and momentum of the match between Nadal and Djokovic that occurred in the third set. The seventh game of this set was a major turning point in favor of Nadal. Although Novak did attempt to defeat Nadal after this particular game, the match dramatically changed from the seventh game to the match's conclusion.
 
Djokovic began the match and continued for 2 and a half sets to play very aggressive tennis. His groundstrokes (particularly in the first set) were unbelievably powerful. Their pace was incredible and his ability to control them was astounding. Although he had lost a set he was still blasting groundstrokes and forcing Nadal to scramble to make replies. Whenever there was a short ball hit by Nadal, Novak was in to put it away.
 
As I watched the match, I could see that Rafa was actually becoming more accustomed to the shots that Novak was hitting. Nadal's replies were hit more deeply and Rafa's shots became more powerful as well. From my perspective, Novak Djokovic sensed this change in Rafa Nadal's handling of shots and realized that the tide was changing.
 
The seventh game of the third set marked a comeback in the set for Rafa and was critical to allowing Rafa to ultimately win the set. With a two to one lead in sets over Novak, Rafa began to play his most aggressive tennis. Eventually, the fourth set proved to be the final set with Nadal having a powerful and commanding end to the match.
 
I cite this match because who was playing aggressive tennis and who was not completely changed after this seventh game. Such is the marvelous nature of this great game of ours. It was an exciting match, and provided spectators/viewers with a great battle. The lesson here is that aggressive tennis can be fleeting! From the seventh game of the third set until the end of the match, Djokovic was unable to be truly aggressive while Nadal escaped Novak's early aggression. By the fourth set, it was Nadal who was aggressively controlling the match.
 
Aggressive tennis is not easy to play, and even when you are able to generate such offensive play, there is no guarantee that it can be sustained for the entire match. If this is the reality for pros that practice every day with the best coaches in the world to assist them, it certainly is the reality for those of us who can only dedicate a part of our lives to practicing and competing in this splendid game.
 
What may be aggressive play for me may be entirely inappropriate for you, and vice versa. There is no single way to play aggressive tennis! For some, hitting big groundstrokes that force opponents to play "back on their heels" is aggressive tennis. If you are an accomplished serve/volley player, this type of game can be aggressive tennis. Those players who are "retrievers" and somehow get to every ball are playing a form of aggressive tennis. Even the dreaded "pusher" is playing her/his form of aggressive tennis.
 
So, every tennis player needs to know what kind of aggressive tennis he/she is capable of playing. For talented players, there may be a few forms of aggressive tennis in their repertoire.
 
Any shot, level of pace, level of control and/or tactical/strategic approach to this great game that a player owns can be a form of aggressive tennis.
 
During my tournament days, my "aggressive tennis arsenal" consisted of the following: I was primarily a backcourt player who was comfortable being moved from corner to corner. For my age, I was remarkably able to get to many difficult balls. I have a big forehand and good hit winners with it at sharp crosscourt angles or down the line. My backhand is extremely consistent but rarely overpowering. My kick serve was quite good and I would even use it as my first serve. But my real "secret weapon" was my ability to hit "moonballs." Literally, I can hit incredible high, topspin groundstrokes that land within three inches of the baseline off of either wing. These "moonballs" drove my opponents absolutely crazy. They would try to hit low paced, severely "sliced" shots to take this weapon away from me. No worries. I would simply bend my knees deep and hit another big, booming "moonball."
 
The question we need to ask ourselves is what can be executed well under pressure?!
 
It amazes me when I work with juniors or with even seasoned intermediates that they do not have a realistic and complete understanding of their strengths. Unfortunately, they can always tell me what they believe are their weaknesses. This is to be expected. Most tennis players simply want to get rid of weaknesses.
 
Aggressive tennis focuses upon strengths and attempts to use these to their fullest potential.
 
When you focus upon what you do well in terms of shots, movement, pace, control, game strategies, etc., you are automatically in a mindset that gives you the best chance to take control of a match. Your confidence level increases and you can overcome the errant shots, missed opportunities, and opponent's winners with less mental stress!
 
Aggressive tennis is advantageous to one's mental frame of mind when competing.
 
I would suspect that every reader has had days when, for whatever reasons, he/she feels great about the world (apart from tennis). I also know that there are those days when physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually; a person is simply "down." Sometimes there are clear reasons associated with either of these two extremes. Sometimes, however, we can't really determine what causes either the euphoria or the depression. They simply occur.
 
The same is true about aggressive tennis. Some days, aggressive tennis comes easily. Other days it seems impossible. We don't always know why either situation may be in play. However, the prudent tennis player is always looking for connections.
 
Here are the reasons most commonly associated with a lack of ability to play one's normally aggressive game early on in a match.

1. Physically, you are fatigued. If not at the beginning of the match, you may become fatigued as the match progresses.


2. You have played too much tennis and are a bit detached and less enthusiastic and maybe a bit "burnt out." This usually causes a player to be impatient and forces him/her to attempt to play "fast" tennis.


3. The playing conditions (wind, sun, temperature, surface, etc.) are affecting what you normally can execute flawlessly.


4. For whatever reasons, you do not believe that you can beat your opponent. You may have played in the past and lost. You may be aware of your opponent's "reputation." You may have had a bad start in the first set and believe that the match is just not winnable.


5. Your opponent is aware of your weaknesses and controlling the match in a manner that prevents you from playing aggressively and puts you in a defensive posture.


6. You simply are trying too hard! Instead of allowing your conscious mind to simply provide data to you non-conscious mind (the part of our mind that controls muscle memory), you attempt to consciously control how you execute shots, move on the court and place your shots. You can't "think" and play tennis at the same time!