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March 1999 Article Latest Leading Edge Tennis Article
The Tennis Server
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The Road to Development: Reputation versus Present Situation
A player's reputation is usually based on past performance during tournament match play. Wins and losses and subsequent rankings may provide a player with information as to how a player sizes up against others. This information can provide you insight into how you may potentially perform against this player during match play. Scouting a potential opponent provides potentially valuable information. One thing to look for is the style with which a person plays. This means that you must learn to identify if a player is a baseliner, serve and volleyer, retriever, all-courter, etc. When you know this then you may begin to formulate what you need to do strategically to defeat this opponent. Ask the following questions:
Present is Better than the PastReputation may provide an indication of how a player is expected to perform, but don't count on it to prove accurate all the time. A player's reputation may not be reliable if that information about the player is more than three months old. This is because, generally speaking, three months is the minimum amount of time it takes for a player to make a considerable change in their game, strokes, mentality, or physical fitness. Players take time to really automate skills, practice new tactics and feel comfortable performing them. So, if you hear that Mary had a weak first serve three months ago, don't be too surprised that Mary has a cannon for a serve now. So if it is at all possible, try to get information on a player from within the last three months. Outside of three months, you may only have a glimpse of what this player may be capable of doing.
A Grain of SaltIf you talk to players who you do not know well, interpreting what they say may be difficult. Sometimes people in general may not be specific enough or objective enough to give you a crystal clear perspective of a potential opponent. It is important to make sure you ask them well thought out questions. You possibly might even tailor questions that will help you play to your strengths. Let's say that you have a huge deuce court "t-serve." Ask your acquaintance, "how does he return the "t-serve in the deuce?" If you have a great backhand ask, "what happened when you rallied with his backhand -- did he take control, like to rally, force or make errors?" If the answer to this question was positive for you then you should set-up a backhand to backhand battle on as many points as possible!
Do What You Do Best!I truly believe that by doing your scouting homework you will have better preparation in finding and implementing suitable and effective tactics and counter-tactics. It is, however, very important to remember to play your own style, go with your strengths, and always do what you do best! If you are not a serve and volleyer but find out this opponent hates serve and volley, please don't all of a sudden become Stefan Edberg or Martina Navratilova. Be yourself, do what you can to throw your opponent off of their comfort zones but stay within your tactical and mechanical boundaries. What you might do is throw in an occasional serve and volley (or similar tactic) as a surprise tactic. Keeping your opponent a bit off balance and it may pay off in spades baby!
Thanks to those coaches, parents and players who took the time to write me last month and for those who even literally said, "hello!" Your kind letters each month keep me inspired to continue sharing thoughts and information. A special hello to David in Canada, I hope you are doing well! Greetings to Johan and Jean Martin in South Africa, Anela in Canada, Kent in Australia, Alex in Hong Kong and to all those who kindly took the time to read my column and send me a hello! Well that's it for this month... Take care, Reggie
This column is copyright 1999 by Reggie Vasquez Jr., all rights reserved.
Questions and comments about these columns can be directed to Reggie by electronic mail at reggie@tennisserver.com. |
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In this month's article, I will share some thoughts on scouting out a player's reputation. This area is one that is important for players, coaches
and parents. 
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