Lookout for Tommy Haas – he has the aces
View(s):Match elements and Miami ATP 500
Tommy Haas was the ‘dark horse’ in Miami ATP 500 in March. Haas, not completely unknown, sent world’s number one Djokovic home in the second round with 6/2, 6/4 win.
He looked unstoppable reaching the semi-finals against Spain’s Ferrer. Haas’s game of accuracy sacrificing power, is a noticeable change emerging in the men’s Tennis, it gave him the first set. From then on Haas lost control over ‘himself’. Ferrer one of the top five 
of the world and a seasoned campaigner used the opportunity and turned the match in his favour.
Self, Court and Opponent
These are the three elements strategy and tactics needs as bases to be effective. Good players put enormous effort to control these. Modern match formats demands more emphasis on skill, which is of spectator interest, than endurance. So matches are getting shorter. K-I-S-S, keep it simple and short by controlling SELF, COURT and OPPONENT.
Self
This implies to the player’s ability to sustain effective control over their own reaction and mental focus on their side of the court. It is this effectiveness which leads to controlling the court and match. Without good reaction and mental focus effective game is not possible.
Court
This is the second element of control that makes strategy and tactics effective. Covering own court; shot selections that makes own court coverage possible ; using court targets to create time pressure on the opponent; restricting opponent’s shot selection with selective court targets; and others help in control of the court. Good stroke makers reach first and second rounds but good ‘match players’ will reach the semi finals and beyond. As an individual sport, Tennis has the biggest surface area to defend and to use. It takes planning, and training to be effective in court control.
Opponent
Tommy Haas
The challenge comes from the opponent. Strategy and tactics are to defend and to place a challenge on the opponent. Players can excessively indulge in SELF and forget the OPPONENT. There are no standard methods to tackle the opponent, because there are no standard opponents. This is why Tennis is described as an OPEN SPORT. Also most important is to know that your opponent’s game will ‘not be a constant’. Do not expect them not to change as the match progresses. They too are on the court for the same reason as you are; to win.
Miami ATP and WTA
Haas was leading with two service breaks in the first set made hopeless appeals against line calls. It was a tell tale signs that his ‘comfort-Zone’ is shrinking and control over SELF is diminishing. In his winning streak he composed the game with first serve, volleys and returned the second serve from mid court into Ferrer. It forced Ferrer into the complicated ‘double movement’ for coordination. Haas survived the set but in the second, he changed the game. It was not Ferrer, Haas had in his mind, but the umpire. Ferrer finished the second set in his favour, while Haas busy otherwise.
Haas did come back in the third, leading 3/1. Ferrer can make any player tired and Haas was his victim in the 3rd set. Ferrer gave him the last rights and won five games in a row and the match at 3/6, 6/2, 6/3.
Andy Murray is no. 2
Andy Murray was the winner of the four million dollar Miami ATP 500 this year. Ferrer played a good match against him in the finals and lost in the third set tie break. Murray had something more than Haas to beat Ferrer. With the Miami title Murray took the number two slot from Roger Federer in the world ranking.
The ladies title went to Serena Williams. Her control of SELF, COURT and OPPONENT was very easily seen. Serena too lost the first set but got her act together to win ten games in a row, including a 6/0 in the third set, against Maria Sharapova. In the process, Serena served her 150th ace of the year. She was able to sustain the speed and accuracy effectively to the finish. These are colours of the modern emerging game. Not the blind folded consistency. Consistency was never a tactic. It is only a necessity to conduct tactics. Even with a heavy build, Serena balances well to her advantage.
Good performance from Haas
Regardless of the outcome, Tommy Haas played a great tournament in Miami. By beating Novak Djokovic and Simon of France he gave a strong signal of his intentions for 2013. He has an all court game. There is room for him to develop good control over SELF, COURT and dominance over his OPPONENTS.
Make your game effective
Use strategies and tactics and incorporate SELF, COURT and OPPONENT as their controlling elements. You are bound to see what is challenging you and do the right thing to overcome it. Once understood, it is easy to plan and execute. I have stated it in three for understanding, but they are a single integrated entity, treat it that way.
georgepaldano@yahoo.com-
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