Two champions can win the same tournament in completely different ways. One takes the ball early and rushes the net; another absorbs pace from the baseline until a small opening appears. Looking at champions by playing style makes their matches easier to read—and shows why no single blueprint guarantees success.
These labels are useful shorthand, not strict boxes. The best players adapt to opponents, surfaces and changing conditions. Still, certain habits define how they prefer to build a point. Here are some of the clearest examples from the men’s and women’s game.
The serve-and-volley attacker
Serve-and-volley players try to make the point short. They serve, follow the ball toward the net and pressure the returner to pass them with a difficult shot. The approach works best when the serve is strong, the first volley is reliable and the player can read where the return is going.
Pete Sampras was one of the defining champions of this style. His serve could produce an easy first volley, and he was comfortable finishing points at net. Sampras also had a powerful forehand and a dependable second serve, so opponents could not simply wait for his first delivery to miss.
Martina Navratilova brought relentless attacking intent to the women’s game. She used her left-handed serve to open the court, then looked to take control at net. Her style demanded excellent movement and quick decisions: a hesitant approach often left an attacker exposed to a passing shot.
Serve-and-volley tennis is less common on today’s slower, higher-bouncing courts, but the principle remains useful. A well-timed approach can disrupt a baseline player’s rhythm, especially after a short ball or a return that sits up.
The aggressive all-court player
All-court champions can defend, rally and attack, then change gears when they see a chance. They may finish with a volley, but they do not need to rush the net on every point. Their biggest strength is having more than one way to take control.
Roger Federer is a classic example. He could serve-and-volley, trade groundstrokes from the baseline or move forward behind a deep approach. His forehand was a major weapon, while his timing allowed him to take the ball early and shorten rallies. That variety made it difficult for opponents to settle into one predictable pattern.
Steffi Graf also built her game around first-strike attacking tennis. Her forehand and exceptional foot speed helped her dictate from the baseline, and she often looked to finish points before her opponent could establish a long rally. Her style was aggressive, but not reckless: movement put her in position to hit her preferred shot.
For developing players, the lesson is not to copy every shot. It is to recognize when the court is open, when a ball is short and when a change of direction can turn a neutral rally into an attacking one.
The heavy-topspin baseline attacker
Some champions attack from the back of the court by hitting with heavy spin, depth and height. The ball jumps up after the bounce, pushing the opponent away from the baseline or making contact uncomfortable. Once the opponent is out of position, the attacker can change direction or move forward.
Rafael Nadal made this approach famous, particularly on clay. His left-handed forehand often kicked high into a right-hander’s backhand, creating a difficult contact point. But his game was not simply about looping the ball. Nadal used depth and movement to open the court, then accelerated through the next shot when the opportunity appeared.
Serena Williams was a more direct power attacker, but her groundstrokes could also produce heavy pace and spin. Her serve was central to her style: it earned free points, set up short replies and gave her control of the first strike. From there, she could take the ball early and hit through the court.
This style can be especially effective on slower surfaces, where players have time to create heavy, high-bouncing shots. On faster courts, the same player may need to flatten out the ball or take it earlier to avoid giving an opponent time to attack.
The counterpuncher and redirector
Counterpunchers are often described as defensive players, but the best ones do far more than keep the ball in play. They use footwork, balance and anticipation to return difficult shots, then redirect pace or exploit a small opening. A good counterpuncher makes an opponent hit one more demanding ball—and often turns defense into attack in a single exchange.
Novak Djokovic is an outstanding example. His flexibility and court coverage help him defend angles, while his groundstrokes let him send the ball deep and change direction. He can absorb a fast shot, neutralize the rally and then take control with a precise counterattack. Calling him only a defender misses how effectively he can dictate once he gets a balanced position.
Andy Murray has also built many of his best performances around anticipation and defense. He can retrieve from difficult positions and use changes of direction, slices and lobs to disturb an attacker. His counterpunching is not passive: the aim is to make the opponent uncomfortable enough to produce a shorter ball.
This style depends on patience and court sense as much as athleticism. The key is knowing when to absorb pressure and when to stop retreating and step inside the baseline.
The return-first baseline player
Some champions make the return of serve the starting point of their strategy. They aim to put a high percentage of returns in play, take away easy service points and begin rallies on equal terms—or better. Once the point is underway, they use early timing and clean groundstrokes to keep the server under pressure.
Andre Agassi was one of the game’s great returners. He stood close to the baseline and struck the ball early, reducing the server’s time to recover. His compact groundstrokes let him redirect pace rather than merely block the ball back. A strong return game also put pressure on opponents’ service games, even when Agassi was not hitting a winner.
Chris Evert showed a different kind of baseline mastery. She was known for consistency, court positioning and the ability to keep rallies under control. Rather than relying on constant power, she made opponents earn their openings and was skilled at directing the ball into the spaces they had left.
How the styles differ
| Style | First priority | Typical opening | Champions to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serve-and-volley | Shorten the point | Strong serve followed by a net approach | Pete Sampras, Martina Navratilova |
| Aggressive all-court | Take control, then vary the finish | Deep groundstroke or short-ball attack | Roger Federer, Steffi Graf |
| Heavy-topspin attacker | Push the opponent back and create space | High, deep shots followed by a change of direction | Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams |
| Counterpuncher | Defend, redirect and exploit openings | Return a difficult shot deep, then counterattack | Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray |
| Return-first baseliner | Neutralize the serve and control the rally | Early, well-placed return | Andre Agassi, Chris Evert |
Why champions rarely fit one label
Playing style changes with the opponent and the conditions. A baseline attacker may serve-and-volley occasionally to surprise a returner. A counterpuncher may become the aggressor when facing a weaker second serve. Even a champion with a signature weapon needs enough variety to cope when that weapon is neutralized.
Surface matters, too. Clay generally rewards patience, movement and spin; grass can reward a strong serve and quick net play; hard courts sit somewhere between, with the speed and bounce varying by event. Those are tendencies, not rules. Nadal could win on grass, Sampras could rally from the baseline, and Federer could defend for long stretches before finding a chance to attack.
When watching a match, look beyond the winner count. Notice where a player stands to receive serve, which side they target, how often they move forward and what they do after being pulled wide. Those patterns reveal the plan—and often explain why a matchup is difficult for one player but favorable for another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tennis playing style is the most effective?
There is no universally best style. Success depends on the player’s skills, the opponent and the court. A powerful serve-and-volley game can be hard to stop when the serve is landing, while a patient baseliner may have an advantage in long rallies. Champions usually adapt rather than rely on one approach.
Is a counterpuncher just a defensive player?
No. A counterpuncher uses defense to regain balance and create a chance to attack. The strongest examples defend well but can also redirect the ball, change direction or step forward when an opening appears.
Which style is best for a beginner to learn?
Start with a dependable serve, return, footwork and groundstrokes. Those fundamentals support every style. As your control improves, try different ways of building points—such as using height and depth, approaching the net or taking the ball early—and see what suits you.
Do court surfaces determine a champion’s style?
Surfaces influence how a style works, but they do not determine it completely. Slower courts often reward spin and extended rallies, while faster courts can make serving and early attacking more valuable. The best players adjust their positioning and shot selection to the conditions.
Final Thoughts
Tennis champions succeed through different combinations of power, patience, movement and tactical judgment. Sampras and Navratilova show the force of attacking the net; Federer and Graf illustrate the value of all-court options; Nadal and Serena demonstrate how powerful first strikes can shape a rally; Djokovic, Murray, Agassi and Evert show how defense, timing and returning can seize control. Watching for those choices makes the sport richer—and reminds us that a champion’s style is not just how they hit the ball, but how they solve the point.
