Mix It Up

Mixing it up is essential in todays game. You cannot be a one-trick pony these days. You have to be multi-dimemsional. The old saying "variety is the spice of life" could not be truer in regard to your tennis game. You have to be able to pound it from the baseline as well as move forward with the volley. You have to be able to challenge on service hold as well as the break of serve.
The serve and volley (my favorite style of play) is a dieing art form, there is no denying that. But the need to have that element in your game- just a little bit- is still very important. If you can sneak in behind your serve or groundstroke once every game or so you are stacking up points against your opponent. You dont have to win every point coming forward but letting your opponent no that you are not afraid to come forward will force them to be honest. They will always have to remember that you can and will come forward. You are giving them just one more thing to think about.
I love the watching dirtballers move forward. Claycourters are known for the distaste of net play but every match you are guaranteed to see them finish a handful of points at the net. It is usually after a long exchange from the baseline; nonetheless, they still do it. Your cannot let your opponent float balls back to you. If you do you are playing their game. The likelihood of unforced errors increases with long rallies. So next time you feel your opponent is just putting balls in play- sneak up on them and finish that point early at the net.