Playing in windy conditions ?

Playing with wind on the court is like traveling to a far away place. Those who know the laws, customs and traditions can quickly apply for and eventually enjoy full citizenship. Those who don't will have to settle for a student visa.

Here are a few tricks I've used to leverage the wind :

1) PLAYING WITH THE WIND 

-get your first serve in ( don't try and blast your 1st serve since the wind will compromise your first serve percentage). You don't want to be left with a second serve, on an important point or risk a double fault  ( due to a sudden wind gust)

-hit more topspin (helps keep the ball from sailing out)

-aim cross court (court is longer)

-come to net more often ( wind helps your approach shot & will slow your opponents passing shot , giving you extra time to react.

-if you have a kick ( heavy topspin serve ) use it to serve to your opponents backhand . The wind will amplify the height of the bounce.

-when lobbing a net player, aim your lob high inside the service box . The wind will carry your lob deeper. 

2) PLAYING AGAINST THE WIND

-hit flat to penetrate deeper into the court

-use drop shots ( even a bad drop shot can become difficult to return)

-lob into the wind ( the wind helps prevent your lob from going out , and makes an overhead more challenging for your opponent)

-use a looser strung racket to compensate for ball wind resistance

3) PLAYING WITH A CROSS WIND

-aim into the crosswind so the ball will be blown back into the court

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Cooling down a hot opponent

Has anyone been watching the great matches this past week at Indian Wells , Ca ? It is a masters tournament, called the  BNP Paribas Open (previously the Pacific Life Open). Just saw , my man Federer come from behind and win a 3 setter .

Have you ever been on the receiving end of an opponent that's firing on all cylinders ? They hit lines, winners, and even out steady you. I definitely have.

My first instinct, was to try to raise my level of play. Most players think that way , but the problem is you started with your A game , and now you have to switch gears to a strategy that your 2nd or 3rd best at.
I've found that lowering your opponent's game is easier than raising yours. Obviously, your level of play will determine how many of these "game lowering" strategies you can implement.

Start with identifying your opponent's weakness (backhand, high forehand, volleys,overheads)  and hitting the majority of your shots there.
Next you have to get the ball out of your opponent's strike zone ( which is between waist and shoulder). Make 'em hit above the shoulder by mastering the "moon ball" (hitting your opponent a steady diet of looping balls, gives fewer  attack opportunities and angles, and forces longer rallies). Hit slice (under spin) to keep the ball low. Making the ball bounce lower and slower will change the rhythm. Nobody likes to play against a junk artist and rhythm changer.
One final strategy is to make your opponent play from an uncomfortable court position. Most heavy hitters prefer to stay on the baseline. Bringing your opponent to net ( on your terms) by using a drop shot, forces him to beat you with from the net. Next time try these and let me know how it goes.