Ms. Halep, New Approach vs the Power Players

Dear Ms. Halep,

Yes, again :-) glorious music https://www.vahvafitness.com/athletic-physique-exercises/ to set you up in a great mood.

Now, in my opinion, it's time for you to use a new approach vs the power players. At the US Open, you rallied (well, most of the time, honestly speaking, recovered balls, in a defensive approach) from 2 meters behind the baseline, and allowed your opponent to park herself on the baseline and rob you of time.

I'd say, no more of that. It's time for a paradigm shift that will make you the aggressor, and also help your health (via shorter exchanges).

First, you will place yourself at the baseline, you will step in and consistently take the ball on the rise. You will utilize the energy of the incoming ball, rob your competition of time, and surprise them.

Start practising that now with your sparring partner: take the ball all the time on the rise in rallies and when he feeds you by hand from close by. You might not be as strong as some  of the big ladies, but have extremely fast feet and hands. Use them offensively. Yes, there's a risk that sometimes the ball might just fly by you, but then that happens also when you are 2 m back.

Second, you will try to redirect the balls mostly to their BH. But don't be afraid to try to break down their FH too with your variety.

Third, yes, confuse them with your variety. Don't just reply to power topspin with power topspin. Feed them slice, dropshots, flat, fast and slow, high and low balls, lobs. Steal the net from them. Serve and volley at times, say after kick serves that allow more time to get to the net. Make them uncomfortable, and their errors will follow.

Yes, practice 50 serve-volley sequences with your sparring partner.

Fourth, when returning, use more frequently chip/sliced returns a la Wawrinka (BH and FH). They absorb well the power of the incoming ball, and generate a slow/dead ball which the opponent will have to accelerate again.

All these remain valid:
Be prepared for her slice and dropshots: when going forward after short balls start from an aggressive split-step. Be more aggressive than her, accelerate your shots better than she does. Your high-topspin or flat DTL or inside-out drives were very successful at Montreal. Hold the ball longer in your racquet, and play behind her as much as you can. She will play crosscourt a lot - surprise her with DTLs. Be the first at the net. Step into the court and generate angled shots. Return aggressively but line up/target well your shots.

Good luck with all these power players. Enjoy turning the tables on them :-)