Tips From the Tennis Pro: Crushing the Breaker
Whether playing the 12-point set tie breaker or the 10-point super tie-breaker, there are several keys to increasing your success. If you follow these simple, yet highly effective tactics, you will find yourself on the winning end of a high percentage of the tie-breakers you play.
Mental approach
The key foundation that all tie-breaker success is built upon is mental toughness. Ask yourself, “Who is winning when your set score is 6-6? Or who is winning if you have split two very close sets? If your answer is: “It’s a tie” or “A set each” or something close to those answers, you’re wrong! You must approach each breaker as if you are winning the match, in control of the match and will win the breaker. You should know that you are better prepared to play the breaker than your opponent, and enjoy the experience of playing the breaker. You need to “Play to win” and “Not to lose.” There is a big mental difference in those two mindsets. Anything less than an extremely positive outlook on your part is an advantage for your opponent.
Play aggressive, but not foolish
Since the match is close, you will need to take some calculated risks when implementing your “Play to Win” philosophy. This doesn’t mean changing your entire game plan … it has gotten you this far. It does mean not passing up the opportunity to put pressure on your opponent or finish the point when your opponent invites you to do so. You must do all of this while increasing your focus, having the mindset not to make an unforced error, and raising your level of play by maintaining your routines and having a keen awareness of where you are in the breaker before and after each point. Visualize the win.
First serves
When playing tie-breakers, it is extremely important to get in a very high percentage of your first serves in, if not every serve. Take your time, stay loose, breathe, and stay in your pre-serve routines. Have a clear plan for the placement of each serve. By now, you should have a clear idea of what your opponent’s return weaknesses are. Exploit these weaknesses and play the percentages in the breaker.
Second serves
Hit it! Far too often, players will tighten up, trying to be too careful to avoid the double fault, while racquet head speed drops or players lose leg drive. Again, stay loose, breathe and execute a solid second serve, but most importantly, believe in yourself!
First serve returns
Every return of serve goes back into the court! While I tell players the goal of their first serve return is to enter the point in a neutral or better position, during the breaker, I don’t care how or how ugly the return is … just get the ball back in play! Always make your opponent play one more shot!
Second serve returns
Here is your opportunity! Put a little pressure on the server. You can move in a bit. Look to play first strike tennis, executing an aggressive return either down the line or create an angle. Make them move. Your goal should be to take control of the point with your return.
Take an early lead
Gain momentum early on! Understand the importance of every point during the breaker. If you can jump out to a quick lead, it places a great deal of pressure on your opponent. It gives you the ability to put a little more pressure on them during a point—aggressive returns, angles and approaches—allowing you to close out the match with more dominant play. If for some reason your opponent gets an early lead, don’t worry. Look to swing the momentum by stringing together three or more points in a row. Get your opponent questioning themselves and get them to play a little more conservative, thus opening the door for your victory.
Practice breakers
Practice both types of breakers in their regular formats. Then play them in modified formats where your start “up” in the score, learning to effectively close out the match. Next, you will also need to start “down” in the score, learning to come back for the win.
Heart and guts
A lot of breakers simply come down to five key questions: Who really wants to win? Who hates to lose? Who runs for every shot? Who believes in themselves? Who “plays to win?” That player will win!
Consolidate all this
While you won’t remember all the details during actual match play, just break it down into these simple steps:
â–ºBelieve in yourself … play to win!
â–ºFirst serve in!
â–ºEvery return of serve in!
â–ºReduce the number of unforced errors!
â–ºPlay to win (I know it’s listed twice)!
â–ºHeart and guts!
