Don't Hate The Player....Hate The Game (Counterpuncher)

A counterpuncher is has the consistency of a pusher with deflated, well learned strokes. These players use consistency and to wear you down. They are in excellent shape, especially from the waist down. They don't go for anything unless you come to the net. They have a very rhythmic stroke and can extend rallies to 25 hits each point.

Not as smart as a pusher and not as strong as a heavy hitter, the counterpuncher genius is in his/her footwork. They seem to be very fast "out of the blocks." This means that their opponent will have to hit an extra ball or two or three. No matter how well they pick their spots, no matter how hard the ball is smashed, there is always a chance the ball will come back. Some of the gifts that counterpunchers have are:

• They have unbelievable heart. Defense is the easiest mode of play in tennis if you ask me. But a counterpuncher will take it to an extreme in pressure points. Finding focus to hit routine shots without error way more than most players.

• They have pristine footwork. Even when they show signs of being tired their legs are the last thing to go. They LOVE to run?..all day.
  

• They are very consistent. The regular topspin groundstroke will make you fall asleep. If you aren?t a counterpuncher or a pusher you will have to find a more proactive way to winpoints.

• Ready for the long haul. These guys step on the court with the mentality that every match is going to take a very long time. They don?t get the feeling of urgency and if they do, they suppress it.

A counterpuncher can evolve by learning a few aggressive tricks. A backhand down the line, a more powerful serve, or an aggressive service return is among these tricks.

Jelena Jankovic started off 2009 at number 1 in the world

Some of the things that frustrate a counterpuncher are:

• They have no real plan B. Some counterpunchers don?t have a plan B. So if they develop an injury, there is nothing they can do but wait to lose or hide it.

• They depend on rhythm. If you mix things up it will bother them. They want to get into a rhythm. Opponents don?t have to oblige.

• They are very predictable. The ball will usually come back to the exact same place. It will be very rare that the counterpuncher will go for anything if you are both at the baseline.
  

Lleyton Hewitt won Wimbledon and the US Open with his counterpunching

If you LOVE to run, have the luxury of hitting a regular groundstroke and testing your stamina makes you feel like an athlete, you can be a counterpuncher. This is a style predicated on wearing the opponent down and making them play a lot of balls.