Tennis isn’t a strategy game

Tennis is often likened to chess, with strategic thinking and tactical prowess believed to be crucial at every level of the game. However, this comparison becomes increasingly misleading when applied to the pinnacle of tennis competition — the professional level. Contrary to popular belief, tennis at the highest echelons is not a chess match but a display of remarkable hand-eye coordination.

The Tactical Illusion

At lower to middle levels of the game, tennis undeniably exhibits tactical intricacies. Players at these levels often have discernible weaknesses, and the game can be won or lost through strategic play. The misconception that tennis is universally tactical arises from the prevalence of these situations. However, the landscape drastically changes when we ascend to the realm of professional tennis.

The Serve

While the serve is conventionally considered a tactical weapon, its importance at the professional level goes beyond mere strategy. The first serve percentage becomes a defining factor in winning matches. In essence, it is not the tactical finesse of the serve that matters most; rather, it is the execution and consistency in getting first serves in. If a player can consistently serve at high speeds with pinpoint accuracy, the need for complex strategies diminishes — it becomes a game of pure skill and execution.

Groundstrokes

The idea that groundstrokes are tactical at the professional level is dispelled by examining the nature of baseline rallies. Professional players often attribute their losses in these rallies to hitting a ball short or without enough pace, allowing their opponents to gain the offensive. However, this is not a tactical error, but rather an outcome influenced by probabilities. No professional player intends to place a shot short or towards the middle; it happens as one player will inevitably fail to execute the intended shot at some point in the rally. Contrary to what some may think, pros excel when their minds are off, relying on instinct and executing plays on autopilot drilled into muscle memory, skills rather than deep analysis of different options and tradeoffs when choosing their next shot.

Why do we think tennis is deeply strategic?

It’s completely forgivable for someone to buy into the idea that tennis is a strategic chess match, considering that, for the majority of players, it genuinely is. Unlike the powerhouses dominating the professional scene, most players don’t boast the ability to unleash winners from any corner of the court. Instead, they grapple with an obvious weakness, be it a shaky backhand or a less powerful serve, or the inability to return a lefty slice. Overthinking becomes a common pitfall, creating an opportunity for strategic mind games. The game unfolds as a mental chess match, where players are susceptible to mind games from opponents, and strategic maneuvering plays a pivotal role in securing victories. I belief the games played by players who are 5.0+ and players who are 3.5 or lower are so vastly different that they may be considered different sports. But understanding this difference may be what helps someone reach the next level in their own game.

Conclusion

While tennis may appear highly tactical at lower levels, the myth that this holds true at the professional level is debunked by the realities of the game. Elite tennis is an exhibition of hand-eye coordination, power, and precision, where success is determined by execution rather than strategic acumen. Understanding this distinction allows fans and aspiring players to appreciate the unique qualities that define the highest levels of tennis competition.