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Approach Shot

The Approach Shot is the groundstroke hit from inside or near the baseline that initiates the move to the net. Its quality directly determines the quality of the net position that follows: a weak approach produces a difficult volley from no-man's land; a strong approach produces a high, short defensive reply that can be finished with a comfortable volley.

The approach shot is not intended to win the point. It is intended to degrade the quality of the next ball to the point where the net position becomes safe to occupy.

Core Qualities

Depth: hitting deep toward the baseline is the highest priority (unless using a drop shot approach). The deeper the approach lands, the less time the opponent has to line up their passing shot after the bounce.

Direction: typically to the opponent's weaker groundstroke side, and to the side that forces the greatest running distance. This not only produces an off-balance passing shot but opens the other side of the court for the winning volley. A middle-court approach, hitting deep through the center, limits the opponent's available angles and almost guarantees the ball comes back to the volleyer.

Pace and spin balance: the heavy approach drives a high-RPM groundstroke deep into the opponent's court — typically to the backhand corner — with sufficient pace and spin to force a defensive, short reply. A heavy approach that lands within a metre of the baseline and kicks above the shoulder produces a reply that is both short and high: the ideal combination for a finishing volley.

The approach shot is hit at 70–80% pace, prioritising depth and spin over velocity. This is not a winner attempt — it is a quality-degradation shot.

Types of Approach Shot

Heavy Topspin Approach: the modern standard on baseline-dominant tours. High RPM, deep to the backhand corner, forcing a defensive reply. Most effective when the player has time and a comfortable ball height.

Slice Approach: best when time is limited. The ball stays low, forcing the opponent to hit up on the passing shot. The slower speed allows more time to get close to the net and establish good positioning for the volley. The natural approach for low balls.

Drop Shot Approach: less conventional but high-reward. A well-placed drop shot forces the opponent to sprint forward, leaving the opposite court wide open for the volley. Requires confidence in touch and awareness of court surface — more effective on slow clay where the ball dies, riskier on fast hard courts.

Footwork Through the Approach

The approach shot involves dynamic, variable footwork. Off a high ball with time to set up, use the same stance as a normal groundstroke from the baseline (semi-open or neutral). Off a lower, shorter ball, the front leg steps forward, plants, and may hop through the follow-through, carrying momentum forward toward the net.

The slice approach uses a glide footwork pattern with feet close to the ground and body low and balanced. The carioca step is common on the backhand slice approach — the back foot moves behind and in front of the front foot during the swing, allowing full body turn and balanced contact.

Movement principle: measure steps as you move forward, establishing the same stance on the approach shot as you would use for a comparable groundstroke from the baseline. Players who tighten up during approach shots lose the balance and hip alignment needed to execute a strong shot.

Court Positioning After the Approach

After finishing the approach shot, move forward quickly. Favour the side to which you hit the approach. For example, hitting the approach toward the deuce singles line means splitting a couple of feet left of the center line — positioning at the midpoint of the down-the-line and cross-court passing shot angles.

Always split-step just before the opponent strikes their passing shot attempt. Read their body alignment to anticipate direction.

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