It is possible to increase your chances of winning in high winds by adopting certain technical and tactical adjustments. These adjustments can vary depending on whether you are with the wind at your back, the wind in the face or with a side wind. It is therefore important to know the tactics adapted to each type of wind.
Case 1 Playing tennis with the wind at your back
Bullets with the wind at your back will have greater speed, while bullets against the wind will be slower.
Play effect more than speed
To optimize your shots, prioritize spin over speed and keep your balls on the court. In topspin, brush the ball with an upward trajectory. Do not hesitate to play short, the wind will increase its effect. In a coupe, make large movements to obtain a moderate effect. To make it harder for your opponent, play high and topspin if possible.
Be sharp on the legs
To advance in the ball, it is advisable to concentrate on the liveliness of the movements of the legs rather than forcing with the arm.
Forward play is favored
While playing tennis, take advantage of the help of the wind to move your opponent and get to the net. You will then have the advantage of being more precise and “on” the ball during volleys. It is necessary to get as close to the ball as possible during volleys and spikes.
Know how to take advantage of your service advantage
When serving, change the trajectory of the ball. Prefer lower throws if you prefer these. Opt for sliced or topspin shots and look for a shortened area, holding the racquet for less time at the end. Sometimes a big throw is necessary to not lose your technique and avoid tensing up. If these moves are successful, there is a good chance that they will be winners. Playing tennis with the wind can be beneficial.
Case 2 You are playing with the wind in front
When the wind is blowing at your back, the balls move faster while the opponent's slow down.
Prioritize your bullet length
It is more effective to play with a short and compact gesture, which makes it possible to react more quickly to the ball and to send it into the opposing court.
Play great defense
Against an opponent who comes up to the net, choose a defensive tactic: offer difficult low volleys and smashes to force him to get under the ball and thus limit his attacks. Also, take the time to play more patiently than usual to maintain a good defense.
Score “winners” despite everything
Bump trajectories and short-cross ball trajectories are recommended for headwind conditions, as they increase the number of winning points.
Let go of service
Serving is an important strategic option in a match. A good first ball puts pressure on the opponent. Then, a topspin can be effective because the second throw will be shorter and easier to control. To shorten the rallies, going to the net can be beneficial, but it is not suitable for all players.
Case 3 Crosswind
The crosswind causes a deviation of the trajectories: the balls on the backhand side will be pushed to the left and the balls on the forehand side to the right.
Leverage external services
The outside serves will be optimized by a slice and a lift on the sides, which will allow to play more freely in space.
Attack in the direction of the wind
An attack ball played with the wind accentuates the imbalance. A defensive ball, on the other hand, is sent against the wind to stay in the field. However, an attack ball played against the wind can become a neutral ball. In high winds, serving correctly is essential to success. In my free tactics guide, 10 tips from the professional servers are available and usable in any weather. Click here to download it.
