Rock, Paper, Scissors... Tennis!

Rock, Paper, Scissors. The classic game that everyone seems to know. While it may be helpful for deciding who serves first, or who needs to bring a can of balls, does it really have a place in tennis strategy?? Yes, but not the way you may think. Let's dive in...

Rock, paper, scissors... shoot. We all know what wins in each scenario. Now let's simplify tennis into these three categories too. We will turn this childhood decision-tool into a way to win more matches. 

Rock = counter-puncher. Defender, counter-puncher, moonballer, pusher. Whatever you call it, this style of player is solid as a ROCK. They'll never miss and just wait for you to make the error.

Paper = all-courter. This person wants to finish points at net after setting things up with solid groundstrokes. They won't be risky from behind the baseline, but rather look to finish things off by getting to the net.

Scissors = aggressive-baseliner. This type of player is swinging out and going for their shots on groundstrokes. They're going for broke from at or behind the baseline and can find ways to hit unreal winners, but the stat sheet might be overwhelmed with unforced errors.

Let's operate under one primary assumption: the levels are the same within each style of player. For example, there are 3 separate players and they all have a 9 UTR. the winner/loser is determined by the simple game... Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Rock plays scissors, who wins??

Rock wins. The counter-puncher will beat the aggressive-baseliner. Putting it simply, the counter-puncher will buy time and be able to use his/her legs too well in this matchup. By providing little pace and being able to track down many shots, it is incredibly difficult for the baseliner to win points consistently. The aggressive-baseliner will hit more unforced errors than winners and lose the match. With all other things being equal, rock beats scissors every time.

Paper plays scissors, who wins??

Scissors wins. The aggressive-baseliner will beat the all-courter because the volume of his/her ability to force errors out of the all-courter. Rock beats scissors because of the ability to gain time, increase shot tolerance, and control the pace of the ball. The all-courter takes the opposite approach in terms of positioning from the counter-puncher. Instead of gaining time by moving back in the court, the all-courter looks to take time away and control the pace of play by moving forward. And that is just what the aggressive-baseliner wants. Now the all-courter has moved himself/herself out of position by moving forward. The aggressive-baseliner beats the all-courter by forcing errors out of him/her due to the timing and positioning on court. 

Rock plays Paper, who wins?? 

Paper wins. The all-courter can be patient enough on groundstrokes to earn a short ball and finish at the net. Likewise, the counter-puncher doesn't have enough pace on the groundstrokes to consistently get the ball by the all-courter. By being able to move forward in the court and take time away, the all-courter neutralizes a counter-puncher's biggest weapon: speed. Paper beats rock based on positioning and the ability to cover the angles of the court.

Next time you're in a competitive match, remember rock, paper, scissors. It could help you turn a few points in your favor and come away with a win. In practice, train all three styles in order to boost your game!