Ball control is one of the secrets to shot making and tactics in tennis. It is the player's ability to hit the ball with accuracy, consistency, proper pace, spin, direction, angle and trajectory. With developed ball control, players can manipulate the ball and have every shot accomplish their intentions. Many players can swing hard at the ball with great racquet acceleration and power, but controlling the ball to keep it in the court and to hit it with accuracy is the key.

Controlling the ball is best achieved when the ball is hit in the player's preferred strike zone, which is at an optimal distance away from the body and in good balance.