The case has been made that you should use the score to improve your game.  The theory instructs you to go for more when you’re up in the game, use your strength to attack your opponent’s weakness when you’re up by a little (30-15),  or exploit their weakness regardless of your strength when you’re down 15-40. Trying to close it out? “Play the weakness”, it says. Okay. Now, I encourage you to evaluate this approach for yourself and be realistic about what is helpful and what is not. Let’s look at what makes the most sense for you.

Use your strengths against your opponent’s weaknesses? Of course, yes. It’s also wise to be patient and work the point.  But, here’s where I move away from this tactic. Using the score as the “guardrail” to make strategic choices has its own dangers.  Perhaps it will restrict you from playing instinctively, keep you overly dependent on the score to determine your game plan (which your opponent will love by the way), and a victim of a pre-determined formula that has nothing to do with how you are serving or returning on this particular day or this game. What if, for example, when closing out a lead the percentage play is to go to the backhand on the first serve but your slice down the T is almost fool proof on this particular day?

The importance of the point-by-point flow in any match notwithstanding, getting overly rigid with the score can also negate the joy of hitting certain shots that you have been working hard on in practice. What if you have been grooving the heck out of your forehand down the line return and it’s been getting a lot better? What’s the impact of hitting that return down the line at 30-30 once in awhile instead of playing it safer which is  recommended from the standpoint of the score alone? From a “growth” mindset that choice could make you a much better player in the long-run. There is also the possibility that the simple fact of being more aggressive on a “big” point like this will send a message to your opponent that could pay dividends later. By going for your shots on points like this ( at least a few times a set) can even have the affect of loosening you up to play more aggressively overall. It’s a feeling of freedom to choose shots that you like to hit and not be so restricted by the score or your own fear of missing. Not that there isn’t a place, of course, for tempering your level of aggressiveness at certain points in the match, including your shot selection, especially if you are the kind of player who needs to be reigned in with a specific tactical play based on on a specific game situation. Then, you may find this suggestion useful. I only caution you to not get too reliant on this approach.

My greatest concern is that an overemphasis on this tactic (playing the score) might turn you into a limited player, unwilling to take the necessary risks, albeit calculated, to beat the better players–players willing to step up, take the ball early and dictate, especially when you don’t expect it. Because there is a difference between playing consistent and safe based on tactic than doing so out of fear. From my experience, most players suffer from NOT going for their shots enough, being too tight and self-limiting. If “playing the score” approach at 30-30 calls for you to play it safer when you would benefit from being more aggressive in this situation, I worry that you will not break out of your comfort zone.  Because, after all, the majority of players who have a “fixed” mindset (Carol Dwek, Mindset) play it safe in this situation anyway.  My recommendation is to step up, be loose and decisive and hit through your shot. And, yes, don’t try to split the line. You don’t get two points for hitting it on the line.

I also certainly not deny the reality of the score being present in our minds (hopefully, in more of a score board sort of way than a prescription of what shot to hit).  But, whether it’s 0-30 or 30-0, my hope is that you will choose the right shot based on what is within your skill-set, while not leaving you overly exposed too often. However, this has less to do with the score than what is happening in the match and on qualities that have more of a legitimate foundation based on your long-term goals and progress than the meaning of the score in the moment.

Next time you’re closing out a match at  5-3 in the third, I suggest you step up to the line and remind yourself to “keep working”, focus on the task at hand and then call up the serve that feels right to you in the moment. Whether you go out wide or down the T, do it decisively. If you are not sure and need to draw on a tactical play go ahead and use the score to guide you. But just don’t let the score control you throughout the match. Decide which shots seem best based on what got you to this point and what you believe will make you a better tennis player in the long run. As with most things in life, moderation may be your best bet.