Specific player tactics

Hi Alois and Jeff,

 I just tried to do an opponent profile on the Vault. I filled in the information I could, then realised that I still wasn't able to answer what the best tactics were for that player!

 Perhaps this is something you could help with? The player in question is a consistent looper on both forehand and backhand. Anything long, it gets put straight past me! Keep things short is the obvious answer, but this isn't always possible. Is it a case of just going for it? Because lets face it, if he is on form, his loop will get the better of me? Maybe a case of 3rd balling him on my serve? Force the long return, and try and finish the point early?

Hi Simon,

It sounds like you have a good handle on what you need to be doing.  YOu do need to make sure that he doesn't get the first attack.  You can do this on your serve by ensuring a short and low serve. 

On the return of serve you need to look for each ball that comes long and try to make an attack.  You should work out the best place to play the attack.  Making an effective attack involves good placement but also good speed.  Good speed doesn't always mean the faster the better.  Sometimes a slow topspin attack can be more effective than a faster ball.

The placement also applies to the serve and return of serve.  Work out where he is weaker at returning from and also where he prefers to attack from in case you stray long.