How Do You Win Against a Stronger Opponent?
According to biblical records, the young Hebrew David slew the giant Philistine Goliath by means of cunning, planning, and skill. David knew his opponent's strengths and, more importantly, his weaknesses. In an ancient game of "rock paper scissor," David understood that armies had three kinds of warriors: cavalry, infantry, and artillery. And he knew that projectile warriors always trumped heavily armored foot soldiers. Rejecting Israelite King Saul's offer of armor and a sword, young David selected 5 smooth stones from the river and toppled the giant with his first one. — idea from Malcom Gladwell's, David and Goliath.If you find yourself in a seemingly ill-matched contest against a player who threatens to overpower you, you must emulate David and show comparable bravery and enterprise. Select the following five "stones":
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Pragmatism — Do not try to trade blows - you won't win a slugfest. Be realistic and deploy alternative weaponry! [e.g., Serve and Volleyer counters the Defensive Baseliner]
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Patience — Take your time and adjust to your opponent's pace. Settle for blocking shots back during the early exchanges. Get the feel of the weight of the shots on your strings.
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Courage — Watching your opponent wind up for a big shot can be mesmerizing and intimidating, but it's just a ball - concentrate on watching it right off the racket. Hold your ground and don't get forced too far back behind your baseline.
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Variation — Power players usually like rallies with a steady rhythm that allow them to set up in plenty of time for their next big shot. Deny them time and deny them rhythm. Mix up the pace and vary your spins. Throw in plenty of junk shots - angled dinks, soft slices, chips and chops. Try a few drop shots once you've got your eye in.
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Faith — Believe in your plan and your ability to execute it. Take your sling [racket], and stand up to adversity with the knowledge that all the physical presence Goliath could muster was no match for David's guile.
Unlike David, you may not topple your opponent with your first junk shot, so be persistent. Hang in the rally and keep the pressure on until you can chop off your opponent's head with their own sword. There have been many actual David and Goliath matchups in the world of pro tennis [E.g., the mighty Marat Safin hates playing the short, but cunning Frenchman Fabrice Santoro!]
