Playing Styles Revisited

Is the power men’s game the right model ?

Although there are many theories about playing style, when we observe high level tennis closely, how does theory compare with the reality of match play? And how can reality help the average player, who is striving to learn something from the pros? Let’s look at some new distinctions about playing styles and see how they apply to the game at all levels.

In men’s tennis, variety of game seems to be on the increase with players such as Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga joining the incomparable Roger Federer in the ability to hit any shot from anywhere on the court. But this variety remains largely situational–it happens in some points in some matches.

Men’s tennis remains mainly a power game based on huge serves and huge forehands. Unfortunately, these are the highlight shots too many club players find mesmerizing. Women’s tennis, however, offers a different and more flexible paradigm. Studying the women’s game should inspire the average player and provide a realistic path to winning more matches.

Is women’s tennis a better paradigm for improving?

Recently I had the privilege of traveling in Australia and observing the women’s pro tour first…