Percentage Tennis
Also known as: percentage tennis, high-percentage tennis, high percentage shots, playing the percentages, high-percentage targets, low percentage shot
Percentage tennis means choosing the shot most likely to go in and win the point over time. You aim at safe targets, clear the net with margin and attack only when the ball allows. It is about winning more points, not hitting the most winners.
Every shot has a risk. Percentage tennis means picking shots with the best balance of safety and reward. The LTA lists playing the percentages as a core doubles tactic. The same idea applies in singles.
Some simple rules follow from it. Aim a few feet inside the lines. Clear the net with room to spare. Hit crosscourt in rallies, because the court is longer and the net is lower in the middle. Change direction only on a ball you can control. Get your first serve in often, and make the second serve very reliable.
Percentage tennis is not passive tennis. It still means attacking a short, high ball. It just means attacking at the right moment. Making the opponent hit low-percentage shots is the other half. Deep balls and low slices force riskier replies.
Tips by skill level
Pick big targets in practice, like the deep half of the court. Count how many balls in a row you can land there.
Track your errors by shot type. Cut the shots that lose more points than they win.
Example
In a tight set, she aims crosscourt with high net clearance and waits for a short ball. Her opponent goes for lines and misses. She wins the set without many winners.
Why it matters
At most levels, more points end in errors than winners. Playing the percentages turns that into a steady edge.
Common mistakes
- Mistaking percentage tennis for pushing the ball
- Going for lines from defensive positions
- Changing direction on a hard, deep ball
Frequently asked questions
What does playing the percentages mean in tennis?
It means choosing the shot most likely to go in and win over time. Use safe targets, margin over the net and attack only short balls.
Is crosscourt a high-percentage shot?
Yes. A crosscourt ball crosses the lower middle of the net and has more court to land in. As a result, it is safer than going down the line.
Sources
Related terms
- Shot SelectionShot selection is the real-time choice of shot type, direction, pace, and spin. It depends on court position, ball height, opponent location, and score.
- Unforced ErrorAn unforced error is a point lost to a player's own mistake. They had reasonable time and position for the shot and little pressure from the opponent.
- Crosscourt ShotA crosscourt shot travels diagonally across the net to the opposite side of the court. It uses the longest available distance and the lowest part of the net.
- Net ClearanceNet clearance is how high your shot passes over the net. The net is 3 feet (0.914 m) high at the centre and 3½ feet (1.07 m) at the posts (ITF Rule 1). Rally balls with topspin can pass well above the tape and still land deep. Keep low clearance for passing shots, attacking balls and shots hit from close to the net.
- First Serve PercentageFirst serve percentage is the share of first serves that land in the box. It is a core indicator of serve rhythm and risk management.
Related guides & benchmarks
Have a question about this?
There is nothing here to film. Ask SwingVantage a follow-up question, or keep reading the related terms above.