Tip of the week: Topspin in moderation

There are times when circumstances call for ripping the ball with heavy topspin and times when hitting a flatter groundstoke is the better option. However, when you watch above average players these days, especially juniors, you would think that the objective in tennis is purely to see who can impart more spin on the ball!

The dipping characteristic of a topspin drive has many useful applications, such as making the ball dip at the net player's feet, helping a lob drop inside the baseline, and hitting a short angle shot aggressively. It can also help very firmly hit drives land inside the baseline without having to aim extremely low over the net. However, too often players apply maximum topspin to regular rally balls, resulting in shots that land short.

I advise my students to only use as much topspin as is necessary to achieve the desired effect, which on a rally ball should be to land the ball deep into the opponent’s court while maintaining a safe margin over the net and inside the baseline. Therefore, the degree of spin applied should be adjusted based on the intended speed and height of the shot as well as the distance from the net when striking the ball. Applying excessive topspin is simply a waste of energy that will help your opponent make better returns. See you on the court!