By Leo Canaparo Tennis Performance Coach
Hard courts, like those at the US Open, offer a unique challenge for tennis players. They demand a complete game—speed, timing, stamina, and intelligence. The bounce is predictable, but the surface is unforgiving. To succeed here, players must bring more than just power or flair—they need precision, mental toughness, and physical resilience.
When we look at the modern masters of hard court tennis, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner stand out. Both exemplify the qualities essential for winning consistently on this surface. Let’s break down the key components of high-level performance on hard courts, with lessons drawn from their playbooks.
1. Balance Offense and Defense
Hard courts reward players who can transition smoothly between offense and defense. Djokovic is the gold standard. His ability to absorb pace, defend from deep, and turn a rally around with surgical precision is unparalleled. He knows when to counterpunch and when to attack—an essential balance on this surface.
Coaching tip for You: Practice neutral rallies where the objective is not to hit winners, but to control depth and direction. Work on turning defense into offense with deep, low-margin shots down the middle or crosscourt.
2. Master the Return of Serve
A good return can neutralize even the biggest servers. Djokovic’s return game has long been the best in tennis—he takes the ball early, reads the toss, and redirects with depth and spin. Jannik Sinner, too, has developed an aggressive return that puts pressure on his opponents from the very first shot.
Coaching tip: Focus on short, compact swings for returning fast serves. Anticipate placement and use split steps to stay ready. Returning deep and low will immediately shift the momentum in your favor.
3. Build a Relentless Baseline Game
Hard courts are perfect for clean baseline hitters. Sinner’s flat, aggressive groundstrokes find their mark on these surfaces. He dictates rallies by taking the ball early and hitting with controlled aggression, especially off the backhand wing.
Coaching tip: On hard courts, timing is everything. Focus on taking the ball on the rise, reducing your opponent’s reaction time. Use repetition drills to improve your rally tolerance and build consistency under pressure.
4. Physical Conditioning and Recovery
Matches at the US Open are often long, physical battles in extreme conditions. Both Djokovic and Sinner prioritize fitness and recovery as part of their game plans. Flexibility, endurance, and core strength are crucial—not just for movement, but for injury prevention.
Coaching tip: Incorporate interval training, yoga, and recovery routines into your weekly program. Heat and humidity can be as tough as the opponent, so hydration and energy management are essential.
5. Tactical Serving
A powerful serve is helpful, but on hard courts, placement and variation matter more. Djokovic mixes speeds, spins, and directions to keep returners guessing. Sinner uses his serve to set up his first shot, often going for big second serves under pressure.
Coaching tip: Develop patterns of play around your serve. Practice wide serves followed by inside-out forehands, or body serves followed by net approaches. Learn to use your serve as a weapon of control—not just power.
6. Mental Discipline
Hard-court tennis is fast-paced and demanding. Emotions can run high, and momentum shifts are frequent. Djokovic’s ability to stay calm under pressure is legendary. His breathing, routines, and focus between points are part of what keeps him composed in clutch moments.
Coaching tip: Create rituals between points—deep breaths, towel routines, or visual resets. Focus on the process, not the score. Control what you can: attitude, effort, and strategy.
Winning on hard courts like the US Open requires more than a big game—it requires a complete game. It’s about building points intelligently, staying physically and mentally sharp, and adapting quickly to changing match dynamics.