Putting pressure on your opponent is the name of the game these days. Therefore, the tennis approach shot will do the trick for you in destabilizing your opponent.

To be most effective in executing the approach shot, one should keep in mind that speed and distance to the net is key. Hence, being nearer the net would be better to hit an aggressive approach shot and then move up to the net to volley.

Moving to the net is the key objective of the approach shot as you anticipate after hitting a hard approach shot, the return will be meek. This will allow you to put the ball away for a winner easily. The aim is to intimidate the opponent mentally by putting pressure on him. This will paint a scenario of panic in his mind which could work to your benefit as he crumbles mentally.

There is more than one way to approach the net with an approach shot. If you are in the forehand side, you could either play a forehand cross-court or down the line. Which should you choose? Hitting the ball cross-court and then approaching the net may sound easier as you hit the ball over the lower part of the net i.e. the middle portion. Furthermore, the distance across the court is longer and would be safer with a higher percentage of the ball going in. However, approaching the net with a cross court shot is not technically correct as it leaves you vulnerable to passing shots from your opponent as you wont be able to cover the whole court well. Therefore, it is tactically more correct to approach the net with a down the line shot. Thereafter, one needs to only take a few steps to reach the net and cover either the cross-court or down the line passing shot from the opponent.

A good approach shot which is hard and flat and fast could also be an out right winner. This will allow you the luxury of not having to hit or volley the ball away. Drilling the ball flat will result in less reaction time being allowed to the opponent. This could result in him hitting a fairly weak return.

A sound split step allows you to be alert to the return from your opponent. As you know, its a matter of a split second before the ball returns to you. Hence, keeping alert and agile will be key to you winning that point.

Volleys should be executed with you in a ready position i.e. with knees bent and ready to pounce.