Taking Chances At Important Times
Andrew Murray
9/28/2005

As competitive table tennis players, it is easy to fall into a repetitive routine in a match, especially if your technique is working. But it is important to remember that even the top players get “figured out” by their opponent and what once was an amazing serve or an unstoppable shot becomes an easy point for your opponent. When that happens, it is time to try something new: give your opponent a different serve or something to throw him/her off balance, even if it means taking a risk.

As an example, at the recent Southern California Open, my doubles partner, Tomomi Tsutsumi, and I found ourselves 11–10 in the fifth game of what should have been an easy match against two of Bill Lui’s junior females. I had been serving short, fairly heavy backhand/forehand serves the entire match and about 90% of the returns would either go into the net or be popped up, so Tomomi, a penholder, would put them away. However, in the fifth game, after a brief timeout, Bill pointed this out to one of his students, and she began flipping my serve—again and again. I decided it was time for a change.

At 11–10, our advantage, my second serve, I took a timeout and told Tomomi my intention: a long, heavy sidespin to her body. I realized that if she read it correctly, she would smash it and we’d be at deuce—but if I served short again, she would most certainly read it. She agreed to my plan, and as I set up, I noticed my opponent move towards the middle—she was preparing to flip my short serve. I came in slow and at the last minute pulled up and sharply to the left. The ball went down the middle and curved into her body and her surprised reaction caused the ball to glance off her racket—match over.

Afterward, Bill gave us a compliment, saying that the ploy was risky but smart because I knew she wasn’t prepared for the change in serve, and therefore it paid off. Bottom line, if you see your opponent adapting to your style of play, it may be time to try something new—especially when it is unexpected.

[Playing Tips.]