All-around player

The all-around or all-court player, as the name implies, is the player that is comfortable using a lot of different shots. All-court players, or all-rounders, have aspects of every tennis style, whether that be offensive baseliner, defensive counter-puncher or serve-and-volleyer. All-court players use the best bits from each style and mix it together to create a truly formidable tennis style to play against. In game situations they are very versatile; when an all-court player’s baseline game is not working, they may switch to a net game, and vice versa.

All-court players have the ability to adjust to different opponents that play different styles more easily than pure baseliners or serve and volleyers. All-court players typically have the speed, determination and fitness of a defensive counter-puncher, the confidence, skill and flair of offensive baseliners and have the touch, the agility around the net and tactical thinking of the serve-and-volleyer.

The all-courter adapts and uses shots that are best matched to exploit their opponent’s weaknesses. Against the counterpuncher, they are aggressive attackers of the net. Against the serve and volleyer, they are consistent baseliners. This player uses incredible variety in a very offensive way. As such, they are often a jack-of-all-trades that can hit every shot in the book — consistent groundies, sound volleys, beautiful drop-shots, and dependable lobs.

However, because they have learned to hit such a wide array of shots, they often times do not have a huge weapon in one of them. When they do, it is also oftentimes the first shot that can break down under pressure. Just because the all-court player has a combination of skills used by all tennis styles does not necessarily mean that they can beat an offensive baseliner or a defensive counter-puncher or even a serve-and-volleyer. It just means it would be more difficult to read the game of an all-court player.

Characteristics:

• takes the longest time to develop as more skills are required to be truly effective in all areas of the court;
• has excellent continental grip skills (volley, half-volley, slice backhand, overhead, serve);
• efficient and effective mover. Likes to take ground and give ground with good diagonal movement;
• great court position which allows them to attack short balls effectively;
• mixes up pace. Speed, spin, height. No apparent weakness. Comfortable, confident, and competent in all parts of the court;
• great composure on the court which leads to good decision making and problem solving;
• out of the air skills: Swing volley from mid court, close on shorter volley, drive from mid court area;
• most adaptable player is able to adjust to different styles of opponents and different conditions;
• very effective at attacking second serves to gain control of the point.

Tactical patterns:

• moves opponent around the court to expose their weakness;
• mixes up the speed, spins, heights, and depth on the ball;
• big inside-out FH, then take the ball out of the air to the open court (with slower players) and/or behind (faster players);
• short ship to BH side then hits a deep ball to the other side;
• drives the opponents deep and able to step inside the court and to disguise the FH drop shot;
• serves and volleys as a surprise tactic or when they are up in a game (looking to close out the game);
• serve plus FH patterns.