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Match prep guides

Straight answers to the questions players ask Ace before a match.

By Chris Nadeau and Cade Nadeau · Updated
Topic 1

Match prep

Quick answers first. Full articles below.

How do I beat a pusher?

  • Don't try to out push them. They are better at it than you. Make them uncomfortable instead.
  • Attack short balls right away. Move in and hit with purpose, do not just roll it back.
  • Bring them forward with a chip slice or a drop shot, best after a deep ball pushes them back.
  • Take their moon balls out of the air with a swing volley and close the net.
  • Keep the ball low and flat, especially to the backhand. Make them bend.
Full guide: How to Beat a Pusher →

How do I build a game plan for tomorrow's match?

  • Start with your opponent: what do they do well, what do they hate, which side breaks down first.
  • Pick two or three patterns you will run on purpose. Make your opponent move, stay consistent, take time away when you get a short ball.
  • Have a plan B for when you are down. Buy time with height and depth, then change the pace.
  • Write one cue you can repeat at changeovers so the plan survives pressure.
Full guide: 4 Tactics That Win More Matches →

What should I practice before my next match?

  • Find the real problem first. Look at how you are losing points, not how your strokes feel.
  • Get a game plan before you practice so the session trains what you will actually do in the match.
  • Split the session into three parts: warm up, the focus pattern, then points that test it.
  • Leave with one cue to carry into the match.
Full guide: How to Build a Practice Plan →

All match prep articles

How to Beat a Pusher in Tennis: Shot Selection Over PowerBeat a pusher by changing your shot selection, not your swing speed. The three free errors pushers farm, the right shot for each ball, and drills that fix them.
How to Beat a Pusher in Tennis: The Complete Tactics GuideMost players lose to pushers because they abandon their game and try to out-push the pusher. That never works. Here is what actually works.
4 Tennis Tactics That Will Help You Win More Matches (For All Levels)Tactics just means identifying what your opponent is not good at and using your strengths to attack their weakness. Here are the four core tactics that work at every level.
How to Build a Tennis Practice Plan for Your Next MatchMost club players show up to practice and just hit balls. Here is a simple four step system to build a focused practice session around what is actually costing you points.
Topic 2

Ratings and UTR

How UTR moves, which matches to enter, and how long a real rating jump takes.

How to Improve Your UTR Rating Fast: A Practical GuideThe fastest way to raise your UTR is not playing more matches. It is choosing them. Here is how one rated result moves the number, and which matches to enter.
Topic 3

Choosing your coaching

Private coach, video app or AI coach: what each one is good at, from a coach and a player who use them.

Is AI Tennis Coaching Worth It? An Honest Answer From A Coach And PlayerWith over 30 combined years of playing and coaching experience, here's the honest answer on whether AI tennis coaching is actually worth it.
Ace Tennis Coach vs. Private Coaching: Which Is Right for Your Game?You want to get better at tennis. The two most common paths are hiring a private coach or using a tool like Ace. Both can work — but they are built for different things.
Ace Tennis Coach vs. SwingVision: Two Very Different ToolsSwingVision and Ace are both popular among competitive tennis players. But they do completely different things. Here is the straightforward breakdown.

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