One of the best ways to win a match starts with strategy. You’ve got to understand your opponent’s strategy to understand how to beat them, and- in the reversal- you’ve got to have a strategy yourself so that you’re not just going in blind. Here are some great ways to understand how your opponent plays, and properly strategize against them.

Check Out Their Grip

Figuring out the differences between grips will help you figure out how to serve the ball best. Different grips give the ball a different spin, and therefore you’ll have a better chance of serving it back. Some grips, like the Eastern Forehand, will give a flatter bounce to the ball, while others, like the Western Forehand, will give it a bit of a topspin.

Watch Their Physical Ability

Another great way of figuring out your opponent is to note their physical abilities. If your opponent appears to be very fast, you might not want to hit them with a speed attack, but if they’re not very agile, hit them with something that’ll make them twist. Basically, play on your opponent’s weaknesses to ensure your own victory.

Keep An Eye On Their Strokes

Noting a stroke preference can mean everything in the match. If you can telegraph their movements before they actually make it, or even establish a clear pattern- exploit that. Use it to your own gain. If your opponent sticks to forehands over backhands, hit them a couple of serves that’ll be hard to defend against with a forehand defense. 

Specific Responses

Moreover, keep an eye on how they respond to a little bit of testing. Shoot them a lot of different shots and gauge their reaction. This is a great way to gather all the rest of the information described here, and will help you out in the long run. If you see a weakness, make sure to take that and run.