How To Beat A Slow Player

Key Points

• Target Weak Mobility: Against opponents who struggle with mobility, avoid hitting multiple shots to the same side. Instead, focus on running them side to side with a "1-and-1" strategy—alternating shots to different directions.
• Adapt to Player Style: Understand your opponent's strengths and weaknesses. For example, against a player like Taylor Dent, a serve-and-volleyer with limited mobility, the strategy was to prevent him from dominating at the net.
• Effective Strategy: Do not hit two balls to the same side; this gives slow players time to recover. Keep them on the move to exploit their weakness.
• Strong Start: Use early points to establish dominance. For example, hitting aggressive returns against a big server like Dent intimidated him and disrupted his serve-and-volley rhythm.
• Consistency and Focus: Stick to the strategy throughout the match. Consistently executing the "1-and-1" strategy for three sets can wear down opponents with poor mobility.
• Neutralize Opponent Strengths: The key to success is taking away what the opponent does best. In this case, neutralizing Dent’s net game forced him to play in uncomfortable situations, leading to victory.