While playing on different surfaces may not change a player’s overall strategy, it will change his tactics some as he makes the adjustment. Depending on the kind of surface he is playing on, be it indoor, hard, grass or clay, small changes may be required in the technical component (movement/footwork, modern shot technique), tactical component (power, spins, shot selection) and other components.

Different surfaces tend to favor certain game styles. For example, grass courts are typically faster than the other surfaces and therefore favor the serve-and-volleyer because of the faster, low-bouncing ball. Players should expect to play shorter points on grass and alter their strategies and tactics accordingly.

Hard courts can be characterized as medium speed courts and favor the all court player, serve-and-volleyer as well as the baseliner (aggressive) almost equally (as probably the fairest court in speed and footing, pushers can have a measure of success also). Power hitters tend to do well on hard courts due to the true bounce the ball takes allowing them to hit the ball on the rise. Attackers have success because a good slice shot will stay low making it difficult to pass a player repeatedly.

Clay courts are the slowest surface, favoring the baseliner (aggressive and pusher) and counterpuncher. On this surface, expect longer points, higher bouncing topspin shots and a greater emphasis on shot selection. The nature of the bounce and longer rallies makes it difficult to hit the ball on the rise consistently so players are forced to let the ball drop more making it more difficult to hit winners. Couple that with a player’s ability to slide on clay and he will be able to stay within the court more throughout the rallies.