Tennis is Mostly Errors, Not Winners

Key Points

• Two paths to winning more matches:
  Add new skills (hard, slow, often unrealistic).Remove mistakes (faster, more effective).
• Tennis is mostly errors, not winners:
  Matches are 70% errors, 30% winners.Winning five more points (in a 100-point match) can shift a match from 50–50 to a clear win.
• Focus on reducing silly errors:
  It’s easier to cut five mental mistakes than to add five winners.Examples: targeting smarter areas, aiming higher over the net, hitting more to the middle, and playing to your strengths.
• Reality check: you don’t hit where you aim.
  Even top pros like Djokovic miss their intended targets regularly.
• Adjust your targets accordingly:
  Pros: ~15 feet long x 8 feet wide shot pattern.3.0-level players: ~30 feet long x 25 feet wide.Don’t aim too close to the lines—build margin into your targets.
• Cone drill illustration:
  Players try to hit a target cone cross-court.They rarely hit the cone, but they land balls in play with good height and depth.Even “misses” within a safe target zone lead to accidental winners and fewer
• Winning formula:
  You’ll hit some great shots by accident—but only if you're smart with targets.Success comes from eliminating wide/out balls, not from always hitting the line.
• Coach’s Message:
  If you're trying to win more matches, focus on reducing what loses matches—mental mistakes and poor targeting—not obsessing over hitting the perfect forehand.