In the last couple of years, tennis commentators have commonly used the term ‘business end of the set,’ when describing the mindset needed to close out a set.
Whether it’s 4 all, or 4-3, these are times that demand poise, persistence and positive shot making. A player or team must be relentless but not reckless…willing to go out and take the set and not hope it will be given to them.
This is where positive emotions must rule the day. Doubles partners must not let a dropped point or two suck the air from their emotional balloon. Come together…stay together, and commit to respecting every single ball.
If you want to improve your performance in the business end of sets, play occasional best of nine set practice matches where each set starts at four games all.
You’ll soon learn the importance of every ball and each point.
Play four all sets where players only get one serve. The more accomplished the player, the more first serves they make when it counts.
Play sets where two missed returns in a row counts as a game for your opponents.
For singles players, play a Tug of War. It’s a self feed game where each player starts with a score of plus 5.
Each player plays one cooperative shot and the third made ball starts the point. The winner goes to plus 6 and the loser drops to plus4.
Play until someone wins 10-0.
This is how you cultivate wisdom in shot selection and the ability to keep or switch momentum under pressure.
Good luck in the business end of your next set!
** Put a note in your tennis bag and on your bathroom mirror…’I love crunch time!’
What You’re Saying