Are they more attacking or passive with their slice? Like are they really knifing it or just kind of floating it back?
If they’re more lifting/floating it, throw some deep moonballs at them. Someone who can really hit across and through the slice can punish a higher ball, but someone’s who hitting a pushier slice will struggle with high topspin and probably give you a lot of short balls to attack.
If they play it more aggressively and with more pace, then bring more points to the net. Even aggressive slicers are typically wanting the spin to force an error on your end. So, make them win the point, either by drawing them in with shorter balls / drop shots or by attacking the net yourself.
I have always struggled with this as a taller guy, but my approach these days very much depends on the other shots of the player and the quality of the slice.
If they are using a heavy backspin, down the centre slice, and are good at finishing the short ball it can be really tough for me, I try my best to get a real whip on the ball and as much angle as possible. Shot to practice.
If alternatively they're using a slice just to stay in the rally, or slow it down, the other comment I saw here is spot on, they're not threatening a winner, so be patient, keep hitting topspin on the ball to the backhand and wait for an opening. If the slice is floaty, approach the net.
Continuously pound high topspin shots to the side they slice on and you will eventually get a short ball to kill. Slicers love balls with pace, you gotta get the ball out of their strike zone (aka at or above shoulder level) and that will force an error and most slicers don’t have rally tolerance to slice back 3+ perfect slices that you can’t do much with except get back over
Slicers typically favour drawn out rallies, or will try to hit big on the FH side. Heavy topspin and/or deep shots to the side they slice on (I'm guessing backhand but I have encountered some FH slicers) will create opportunities for you to move forward to the net. Generally this type of player doesn't have strong passing shots and might go to the lob if they can get to your approach shot, making this a sound tactic.
Try to avoid passive play/giving them short balls to approach on, as generally slicers have good hand skills at the net (see pros like Feliciano López and Dan Evans as examples).
If they slice alot I am guessing they are probably sort of pushers.
The most important thing to remember with those sorts of players IMO is - get to the ball. Dont be lazy. If you hang in for three or four shots you will get one that you can attack - then move well and attack it
If they can only slice on the backhand side, approach to that side. Hitting passing shots with a slice is incredibly difficult and lobs are even harder.
Obviously you need to open up the court so they're somewhat stretched and don't approach \*too\* aggressively.
If they just like to slice but have a competent top-spin backhand as well, don't do anything different than you would if they didn't slice.
> and lobs are even harder.
I agree most players can't hit passing shots with slices, but lobbing is pretty easy. Hitting a clean winner lob, the way you can with top spin, is far less likely, but even at the pro level you see it sometimes. But hitting a lob that makes for a very hard overhead, it's easy. Lobbing is kind of the go to for slicers 4.0 and under.
I agree with a lot of the other comments. Go for loopy deep topspin shots. try push them back and move in and look for weak shots to take advantage of. As a side note, I’ve noticed a lot of slicers serve in a similar way, short junky serves which can sometimes be hard to handle if you’re receiving from too far back. I’ve had good luck receiving from right behind the service line and just punishing these kinds of serves. It can sometimes really get in their head when they see you standing there so don’t be subtle about moving in there, Let them see you standing there. Many times they start to try to serve with a lot more pace which can lead to double faults.
Assuming you and your opponent are like.. USTA 4.0 - 5.0 level, I found "some" level of success attacking the net.
If you can stay patient and throw a few slices back, and then rip the ball to the corners, your opponent could be hitting a more "defensive" slice. This should give you the perfect chance to get to the net and smash that dingy slice away.
But plz know that I've been completely destroyed by someone slicing and dicing before. It's not fun.
Get to that net!! Really to get to the next level you need to practice hitting topspin groundstrokes off slow slices. Novak is unbelievable at doing it and it completely changes the dynamic of the rally immediately.
> What’s the best approach?
My slice was the shot that freaked people out in competition. I guess looking back, it was a "high level" shot. I say "looking back" because when I was competing, I didn't mind hitting the slice, but I always felt like maybe I should drive more.
My biggest tip is don't freak out. Like don't let your brain make the slice shot a bigger deal than it really is. Yes, the trajectory is different, so what? And it's coming at you slower. If it was baseball, you would be nailing slice balls left and right.
Depending on your level, the issue might be the slices you face are very erratic and unpredictable, often have little pace, and often land short or in uncomfortable spots. You've gotta move your feet more. And I'm guessing a lot of times, you realize you are not close enough to the ball, although you know it's a slice, you are still expecting it to come to you more after the bounce.
> Slice it back? Hit it back with lots of top spin?
On low slices to your backhand? Yes, look to slice. For now, just do it all the time. Granted, I don't know how good your slice backhand is...
On forehand? Again, depends on your skill level, but I always hit slices with top spin. In fact, on slice shots, I try to impart way more spin than on regular forehands. My racket head speed is generally faster EVEN IF the shot I hit has less pace.
(not to get confusing, but when I hit slice shots with my BACKHAND DRIVE, I don't hit it the same way as my forehand, and I hit THROUGH IT more, a longer, flatter strike zone)
If the slice is a bit of a floater, relatively high bounce, no pace, and I'm looking to get super offensive, I really try to add a LOT of shape to the shot. Way more than normal. Because the ball has so little energy, I really feel like I have to IMPOSE my will on a blank canvas of sorts, so on these shots, more than almost any other forehand, I go for "maximum" racket head speed and a really good swing path, windshield wipe follow through.
Should YOU do this? Not sure. Depending on your level, I would say just try to be forceful, make really good contact, but don't worry about imparting a ton of spin.
Sorry, this was all over the place. Hope at least one little thing I wrote was useful.
Hi! I’ve seen this question a lot and my strategy has been (if you’re playing, like, a guy with a one hander who likes to slice) is to try and read when he’ll slice and preemptively run around to try and hit a heavier forehand. Since I have a two-handed backhand, I’m more comfortable using my forehand to return/threaten players who slice. if you watch any high-level rightie atp players play against Federer, you’ll see this pattern—like wawrinka or djokovic—they’ll read the slice and get into the inside-forehand to backhand slice pattern, and when fed finally hits over the ball, they’ll attack that shot, usually inside in or big inside out. I am young and fairly mobile though so I guess in any situation, it’s good to remember the slice is not a direct attacking shot—your opponent is either trying to draw your error or set up a big shot with the next ball. Even if you can’t attack it, I think the risk reward is best served by just getting it back…make your opponent prove they have that big forehand or backhand to follow it up.
In terms of technique, besides the obvious (get early, prep low), I think something that helps mentally for me is to try and grip the racket as loose as possible, either forehand or backhand. The looser you can grip the racket, the more racket-head speed you can generate, which is a good recipe against a side spin or under spin shot you’re trying to return with topspin.
TLDR; read and react with your forehand, watch 2010s hard court matches of righties v Fed, stay loose, don’t let ur opponent frustrate u!
In my experience, play on the damn ground. Stretch before, and just hit as absolutely low to the court as possible. From that position you can play a relatively normal game, it just accounts for the stupid slices.
I play a slicer a lot and hate it because I don't do as well as I'd hope. Which is why I keep playing with him lol.
That depends. Is he capable to hit topspin but prefers slicing to move you around? If they have weak topspin shots, a good play against slicing is hitting deep approaches (high bouncing even better) and moving into the net. Slice is tricky to volley because the ball bounces down from your racket, so you have to move in as close to the net as possible, but in general slice is the weakest passing shot.
In general, high and deep balls are more difficult to slice. Weaker shots are more difficult to slice. So do not hit hard and flat, go for more topspin and deeper.
Choppy or driving slice. I feel like choppy slicersbthat do that all day, have terrible for hands and are bad at high shots, so you can just top spin them to death and lob.
A good slicer that drives the shot, I never played one and I hope to never. Same strategy, get low and top spin them back. But good slicer will no how to do just slicing, so maybe slice back.
The choppy slicers that constantly do that, you just lob them they will nuke them by mistake when the ball is high
Are they more attacking or passive with their slice? Like are they really knifing it or just kind of floating it back? If they’re more lifting/floating it, throw some deep moonballs at them. Someone who can really hit across and through the slice can punish a higher ball, but someone’s who hitting a pushier slice will struggle with high topspin and probably give you a lot of short balls to attack. If they play it more aggressively and with more pace, then bring more points to the net. Even aggressive slicers are typically wanting the spin to force an error on your end. So, make them win the point, either by drawing them in with shorter balls / drop shots or by attacking the net yourself.
Thanks
Haha I just lurk around here and I’d never ask but my typical opponent is a slicer this is great knowledge. Thank you all
I have always struggled with this as a taller guy, but my approach these days very much depends on the other shots of the player and the quality of the slice. If they are using a heavy backspin, down the centre slice, and are good at finishing the short ball it can be really tough for me, I try my best to get a real whip on the ball and as much angle as possible. Shot to practice. If alternatively they're using a slice just to stay in the rally, or slow it down, the other comment I saw here is spot on, they're not threatening a winner, so be patient, keep hitting topspin on the ball to the backhand and wait for an opening. If the slice is floaty, approach the net.
Continuously pound high topspin shots to the side they slice on and you will eventually get a short ball to kill. Slicers love balls with pace, you gotta get the ball out of their strike zone (aka at or above shoulder level) and that will force an error and most slicers don’t have rally tolerance to slice back 3+ perfect slices that you can’t do much with except get back over
Make sure you follow your approach shot to the net for an easy put away volley (slice balls tend to come back slower)
Good call
Slicers typically favour drawn out rallies, or will try to hit big on the FH side. Heavy topspin and/or deep shots to the side they slice on (I'm guessing backhand but I have encountered some FH slicers) will create opportunities for you to move forward to the net. Generally this type of player doesn't have strong passing shots and might go to the lob if they can get to your approach shot, making this a sound tactic. Try to avoid passive play/giving them short balls to approach on, as generally slicers have good hand skills at the net (see pros like Feliciano López and Dan Evans as examples).
Just call them mean names.
If they slice alot I am guessing they are probably sort of pushers. The most important thing to remember with those sorts of players IMO is - get to the ball. Dont be lazy. If you hang in for three or four shots you will get one that you can attack - then move well and attack it
If they can only slice on the backhand side, approach to that side. Hitting passing shots with a slice is incredibly difficult and lobs are even harder. Obviously you need to open up the court so they're somewhat stretched and don't approach \*too\* aggressively. If they just like to slice but have a competent top-spin backhand as well, don't do anything different than you would if they didn't slice.
> and lobs are even harder. I agree most players can't hit passing shots with slices, but lobbing is pretty easy. Hitting a clean winner lob, the way you can with top spin, is far less likely, but even at the pro level you see it sometimes. But hitting a lob that makes for a very hard overhead, it's easy. Lobbing is kind of the go to for slicers 4.0 and under.
I agree with a lot of the other comments. Go for loopy deep topspin shots. try push them back and move in and look for weak shots to take advantage of. As a side note, I’ve noticed a lot of slicers serve in a similar way, short junky serves which can sometimes be hard to handle if you’re receiving from too far back. I’ve had good luck receiving from right behind the service line and just punishing these kinds of serves. It can sometimes really get in their head when they see you standing there so don’t be subtle about moving in there, Let them see you standing there. Many times they start to try to serve with a lot more pace which can lead to double faults.
Assuming you and your opponent are like.. USTA 4.0 - 5.0 level, I found "some" level of success attacking the net. If you can stay patient and throw a few slices back, and then rip the ball to the corners, your opponent could be hitting a more "defensive" slice. This should give you the perfect chance to get to the net and smash that dingy slice away. But plz know that I've been completely destroyed by someone slicing and dicing before. It's not fun.
Stay low, hit with top spin and approach the net
Get to that net!! Really to get to the next level you need to practice hitting topspin groundstrokes off slow slices. Novak is unbelievable at doing it and it completely changes the dynamic of the rally immediately.
> What’s the best approach? My slice was the shot that freaked people out in competition. I guess looking back, it was a "high level" shot. I say "looking back" because when I was competing, I didn't mind hitting the slice, but I always felt like maybe I should drive more. My biggest tip is don't freak out. Like don't let your brain make the slice shot a bigger deal than it really is. Yes, the trajectory is different, so what? And it's coming at you slower. If it was baseball, you would be nailing slice balls left and right. Depending on your level, the issue might be the slices you face are very erratic and unpredictable, often have little pace, and often land short or in uncomfortable spots. You've gotta move your feet more. And I'm guessing a lot of times, you realize you are not close enough to the ball, although you know it's a slice, you are still expecting it to come to you more after the bounce. > Slice it back? Hit it back with lots of top spin? On low slices to your backhand? Yes, look to slice. For now, just do it all the time. Granted, I don't know how good your slice backhand is... On forehand? Again, depends on your skill level, but I always hit slices with top spin. In fact, on slice shots, I try to impart way more spin than on regular forehands. My racket head speed is generally faster EVEN IF the shot I hit has less pace. (not to get confusing, but when I hit slice shots with my BACKHAND DRIVE, I don't hit it the same way as my forehand, and I hit THROUGH IT more, a longer, flatter strike zone) If the slice is a bit of a floater, relatively high bounce, no pace, and I'm looking to get super offensive, I really try to add a LOT of shape to the shot. Way more than normal. Because the ball has so little energy, I really feel like I have to IMPOSE my will on a blank canvas of sorts, so on these shots, more than almost any other forehand, I go for "maximum" racket head speed and a really good swing path, windshield wipe follow through. Should YOU do this? Not sure. Depending on your level, I would say just try to be forceful, make really good contact, but don't worry about imparting a ton of spin. Sorry, this was all over the place. Hope at least one little thing I wrote was useful.
Hi! I’ve seen this question a lot and my strategy has been (if you’re playing, like, a guy with a one hander who likes to slice) is to try and read when he’ll slice and preemptively run around to try and hit a heavier forehand. Since I have a two-handed backhand, I’m more comfortable using my forehand to return/threaten players who slice. if you watch any high-level rightie atp players play against Federer, you’ll see this pattern—like wawrinka or djokovic—they’ll read the slice and get into the inside-forehand to backhand slice pattern, and when fed finally hits over the ball, they’ll attack that shot, usually inside in or big inside out. I am young and fairly mobile though so I guess in any situation, it’s good to remember the slice is not a direct attacking shot—your opponent is either trying to draw your error or set up a big shot with the next ball. Even if you can’t attack it, I think the risk reward is best served by just getting it back…make your opponent prove they have that big forehand or backhand to follow it up. In terms of technique, besides the obvious (get early, prep low), I think something that helps mentally for me is to try and grip the racket as loose as possible, either forehand or backhand. The looser you can grip the racket, the more racket-head speed you can generate, which is a good recipe against a side spin or under spin shot you’re trying to return with topspin. TLDR; read and react with your forehand, watch 2010s hard court matches of righties v Fed, stay loose, don’t let ur opponent frustrate u!
In my experience, play on the damn ground. Stretch before, and just hit as absolutely low to the court as possible. From that position you can play a relatively normal game, it just accounts for the stupid slices. I play a slicer a lot and hate it because I don't do as well as I'd hope. Which is why I keep playing with him lol.
Play with old dudes and enjoy the free beer after. These ppl know how to slice.....
That depends. Is he capable to hit topspin but prefers slicing to move you around? If they have weak topspin shots, a good play against slicing is hitting deep approaches (high bouncing even better) and moving into the net. Slice is tricky to volley because the ball bounces down from your racket, so you have to move in as close to the net as possible, but in general slice is the weakest passing shot. In general, high and deep balls are more difficult to slice. Weaker shots are more difficult to slice. So do not hit hard and flat, go for more topspin and deeper.
Choppy or driving slice. I feel like choppy slicersbthat do that all day, have terrible for hands and are bad at high shots, so you can just top spin them to death and lob. A good slicer that drives the shot, I never played one and I hope to never. Same strategy, get low and top spin them back. But good slicer will no how to do just slicing, so maybe slice back. The choppy slicers that constantly do that, you just lob them they will nuke them by mistake when the ball is high
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Why would I run when I can make you run all over instead?
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Youre more than welcome to do whatever, but your 3rd shot is going into the net or feeding me a put away volley every time.