A list of the tennis players with the most effective strategy sounds like it could end up being a list of the best players in the sport. After all, having an effective strategy is a key component of success. However, strategy is only one part of the equation, and some of today’s top players have more effective approaches than others.
A good tennis player will know which strategy works best for them, but more often than not, a good and effective strategy is formed around the player’s physique and intelligence. This means you will get a mix of raw, natural talent and years of training. It continues off the court, where diet and supplementation can be considered part of an effective tennis strategy as well. Let’s break down the most effective tennis strategies today.
Novak Djokovic
It’s hard to beat Djokovic when it comes to a holistic approach. He is known to be on a very strict diet and adhere to highly disciplined training sessions. Staying deep behind the baseline has worked well for Djokovic. It’s a strategy that can really grind rallies out and allow him to have a better absorption of the opponent’s dynamic.
On top of this, Djokovic has a good return of serves. So, if his opponent has a good serving technique, it may not be much of an advantage against him. Most importantly, Djokovic also has an edge in physique and has learned how to shape his on-court strategy around that.
Why Djokovic’s strategy is effective: Staying behind the baseline, coupled with speed and stamina, allows Djokovic to go from defense to offense quickly, disrupting his opponent’s rhythm.
Roger Federer
Federer shines in all areas of the game. His ability to attack from anywhere on the court with the same precision is what cemented his place as one of the best players in history.
Federer’s aggressive stance, staying close to or on the baseline, cuts down his opponents’ chance for a reaction. To make this strategy even more effective, his serves are excellent, and he often serves the ball on the opponent’s weak side. Defensively, Federer ranks among the top five greats.
Why Federer’s strategy is effective: Having a good all-court game makes Federer very hard to predict. Even if his opponent seems to catch him making a mistake, his defensive skills make up for it.
Daniil Medvedev
As a former number one in the ATP rankings, the latest tennis odds don’t necessarily always go in his favor. Despite his success, most people will argue that Daniil Medvedev doesn’t have the most attractive game out there. Although the matches are nothing spectacular, he did find a very effective strategy that works for him.
Despite being almost 2 meters tall, Medvedev still covers the court with relative ease. This allows him to be on the ball and return them consistently. Medvedev is best known for his unorthodox groundstrokes and extreme follow-through on both wings.
Why Medvedev’s strategy is effective: He uses his height and reach to his advantage, returning balls and covering the court effectively. He is patient and wears down his opponent slowly but surely.
Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz is considered one of the most talented tennis players of his generation. He is very intense and powerful. A baseliner with a strong forehand who changes direction quickly thanks to compact swings. Alcaraz loves forehands, and he uses a full unit turn before the shot, which makes it very difficult to predict where the ball will be hit. This can leave the opponent guessing until the very last moment.
Why Alcaraz’s strategy is effective: He is putting a lot of intensity and aggression behind his raw talent, which results in explosive play, powerful serves and lightning-fast footwork that often overwhelms his opponent.
Rafael Nadal
Nadal is a left-handed player, and one of his main strengths is his forehand. He projects a lot of power and topspin on his forehands. Earlier in his career, he would chase and catch every ball, leaving opponents exhausted.
After suffering many injuries, his speed gradually weakened, but his playing style became more aggressive and focused on the net and serves. This helped him to stay on top of the rankings despite his age.
Why Nadal’s strategy is effective: Nadal’s brutally effective forehand with extreme topspin, combined with aggressiveness even in long matches, makes it very hard to break him.
