What we can learn from players at this year's U.S. Open.

I literally just finished watching first round matches at this year's U.S. Open, and it always re-energizes my soul after spending time at this truly fantastic event! So many players, men and women, all kinds of game-styles, sizes and nationalities gathered together for two weeks of amazing tennis. In this month's article, I will discuss player tactics and how you can learn from the best!

If there is one thing that I love about professional tennis it is the use of tactics and counter-tactics, especially at the grand slams. Many players can learn so much by watching the pros play. Strengths and Stabilities - look how a player uses his or her strengths against another player's stabilities. I personally like to refer to solid players as having strengths and stabilities (rather than saying weaknesses). I consider a stability in it's purest sense to be a stroke that is consistent and neutral in nature rather than forcing. Let's face it -- the top pro's are considered "top" because they have literally no weaknesses or else they would be borderline professionals struggling to make main draw. Don't get me wrong, I do not mean to take anything away from up and coming professionals, and I always root for the underdog.

Grand Slams are the best. I love to sit down and dig in for the long matches, especially the 5 setters. The first day I saw Sebastian Laureu win in 5 tough sets, and later in the night Marcelo Rios also won in 5. It is not a coincidence that there seem to be so many 5 setters. The reason is because of tactics and counter-tactics; one player applies a tactic and is able to get a break in the first set and win it. In the second set, the opponent may counter with another tactic that allows him or her to breaks and win the second set. The chess game goes on and on back and forth. This is heaven for the fans, purgatory for the coaches and hell for the players. Exciting stuff, big emotions and lots of electricity.

Watch how Agassi goes after another players weaker or stable side. He doesn't bother to disguise where he is concentrating his powerful forehand groundstrokes when playing many of the other players. However, as he progresses through the tournament and starts to face tougher opponents, his tactics often begin to change. He will start mixing up the location, speeds, spin speeds and depth of his shots to add variety in order to keep his opponents guessing.

Strengths come in other forms such as "stamina and or consistency." Alex Correjta is one player who prides himself on being able to outlast his opponents. Chang depends on his speed and quickness to get himself out of potential trouble situations. Chang is considered one of the best tacticians on the tour. He has a great feel for knowing when a tactic needs to be changed to swing the momentum his way. Andre Agassi said that, "ÖMichael can come at you with so many looks, it's scaryÖ" Chang may start in a "gathering mode," where he will take all the unforced errors his opponent gives then switch gears to forcing, later mixing up serve and volley tactics.

Pete Sampras's game is so "big" and he is such an intense competitor that he can intimidate many opponents often forcing them to play outside of their comfort zones. When I sat down with Paul Annacone, Paul said, "Öit's difficult for Pete's opponents to deal with all his weapons, he is able to take it to the next level if he needs to, both mentally and tactically. He is one of the toughest competitors I have ever knownÖ" The last few days, I heard a rumour going around the National Tennis Center that Pete is injured and that there may be a possibility of him not playing at all. If Pete pulls himself out of this year's Open his injury must be very serious -- so no hate mail to his agent please. If he plays, watch how he uses his serve to control his opponent and keep him off balance. Notice how he mixes up the location of his serves and how he takes advantage of his opponent's returns. Paul Annacone, Pete Sampras' coach, told me it was important for him to "Öremind Pete to not play in patterened play against the other big guns, to keep'em guessing..." One of his most underated aspects of his game is his excellent movement and anticipation. Watch how Sampras glides across the court and how he seems to be just in the right place when he is forced.

Brad Gilbert told me that "ÖAndre's desire, his passion and emotion are what drives him and when he puts his mind to a task he gets the job done!" Brad went onto say that he felt that Andre was without a doubt the "best competitor" out there today. If you watch Andre at this year's Open, take a look at how Agassi controls the tempo of a match and how he dictates play. One of his most common patterns during his service games is to serve to his opponent's backhand with a high kicker or drive serve. Then look for his big forehand, usually hitting it inside out towards the opponent's ad side. Another is to simply run his opponent left and right much like a yo yo on a string.

Watch Hingis subtlety change speeds when she faces a larger opponent or how she can change direction at will. Hingis is able to receive fast paced shots and use them against her opponents. When an opponent hits a hard drive crosscourt she can re-direct down the line, forcing her opponent out of position. Look at Seles take the ball early and pound the ball back so hard before the opponent can recover from her service motion. Coaches call this "reducing the interstroke interval." Notice how Davenport will use her big serve to set up her first forcing shot. She likes to perform a one-two punch in order to control the points. Take a look at how Conchita Martinez drives her opponents crazy with extreme changes of spin and height use. She will often push her opponent way off the baseline with a topspin laddened moonball and then she will tease them up inside the baseline with a shorter slice. Thus forcing them up and back continuously. Watch Venus Williams totally overpower her opponents taking balls early and hitting the "#%^&@#!" out of the ball -- pure power. There are very few players that can stand up to her power.

The following questions may help you determine your own strengths and stabilities and/or weaknesses. Ask yourself:

• What game-style do I posess?
  
• Do I posess the characteristics to be using this game-style?
  
• Do I have the shots needed to play this game-style?
• How do I typically win points?
• How do I typically win matches?
• What shots do I use to put my opponent in trouble?
• What stroke is my finishing shot?
• Do I have more than one way of finishing a point?
• What type of player do I have trouble playing? Ask yourself why?
• Why do I lose points? Is it a mechanical stroke problem? A tactical problem? A psychological problem? A conditioning problem?
• Why do I lose matches?

As many of you are well aware, I had the special honor of presenting at this year's U.S.T.A. Tennis Teachers Conference. This conference is considered by many to be one of the most prestigious conferences in the world. I am happy to say that my presentation went extremely well! A great big hug and thank-you to Christine Murphy and her staff for making my stay simply marvelous! Thank you to Danielle for all the little things. Special greetings to: Beverley from New England, the best lion ever; Alex the wise man eternal; Ernie from South Carolina, my friend who always is striving for excellence; Stephanie from Toronto for your help and advice with my Kanji; and thanks Rufus for your help with the presentation.

I will be in Miami near the end of the month to present at the U.S.P.T.A. World Conference, hope to see you there!

This column is copyright 1999 by Reggie Vasquez Jr., all rights reserved.

Reggie Vasquez Jr. is one of Canada's leading tennis coaches for juniors. He is actively involved with Tennis Canada's grassroots player development. A frequent and enthusiastic speaker at tennis conferences, he is certified by the U.S.P.T.A., Tennis Canada and the U.S.P.T.R.. For almost 7 years he was a head coach for the Canadian Davis cup Captain's Academy at the Canada's National Tennis Center. He has been a Tennis Canada - National Youth Tennis Center Leader for over 8 years and is presently a head coach of an Elite Tennis Academy. He has experience working with juniors from the absolute beginner to the international caliber tennis player. Reggie is also a published author on junior tennis. His personal web site has additional information on his book, the Tennis for Kids. The Tennis for Kids can be ordered directly at a discount using this link to the Amazon.com online bookstore.

Questions and comments about these columns can be directed to Reggie by electronic mail at reggie@tennisserver.com.