How to Turn a Match Around: Tennis Comeback Tips

Have you ever found yourself down 2-5 or even 0-5, feeling that the momentum is gone, and your opponent plays with confidence, making the match seem to slip away? We’ve all been there. While turning a match around is never easy, it’s absolutely possible. A comeback requires more than just good strokes; it’s about mindset, strategy, and keeping your composure under pressure. In this blog, we asked our Directors of Racquets from across the country to share their best tips for making a comeback on the court.

Focus on Recovery, Not the Shot

Everett Maltby, Director of Racquets at Silver Creek Valley Country Club (California)

Personally, I like to be extremely specific in these moments because instructions like "move your feet" can be difficult to implement correctly, given how broad that statement really is. For me, what really helps is being more precise. I focus specifically on how hard I recover after I’ve hit the shot.

Think about it: in a one-hour match, you only spend a fraction of the time actually hitting the ball. The rest is movement, recovering, and getting ready for the next shot. So I hyper-focus on recovering back into position as hard as I can after every hit.

You might not be able to fix a backhand or other shot mid-match, but you can always control your effort on recovery. This gives your mind something clear and actionable to focus on and often improves performance in real time.

Break Your Opponent’s Momentum

Ben Lott, Director of Racquets at The Club at Forest Ridge (Oklahoma)

A great method that I have found success with when attempting to turn a match around from a losing position is to take as much time as possible (within the confines of the rules), with the primary goal being to break your opponent's momentum. The longer you physically spend on the court, the more opportunity you have to find a strategy adjustment that may allow you to break your opponent's momentum, and work a way back into the match. Ways to achieve this can include:

1) Taking the full 25 seconds in between each point

2) Maximizing the 90 seconds you get at the change of ends

3) Taking your time to move a ball off the court that has rolled on and disrupted play, as well as multiple other "Time Lengthening" efforts that you can utilize.

Believe You Can Win

Galina Bykova, Director of Racquets at Carmel Valley Ranch (California)

Always believe you can win! When you’re down, focus on yourself, your mindset, and your attitude. Think about how much you want to win this match. Try to make that one extra ball, stay positive with yourself, and never give up, no matter the score.

Simplify Your Game

Stewart Crerar, VP of Operations

When the scoreboard isn’t in your favor, take things back to basics:

Play high-percentage tennis with bigger margins inside the lines and over the net. Target your opponent’s weaker side more. Stick to your best patterns, like serve wide + forehand or crosscourt rallies until you get a short ball.

Stay in the Moment

Colt Gaston, General Manager at Rome Tennis Center at Berry College and Rome Downtown Racquets Center (Georgia)

The players who turn matches around are often the ones who manage their headspace best. Use rituals: grabbing a towel, bouncing on your toes, tapping your hip to reset and keep yourself locked into the present moment. Focusing on the now and one point at a time is crucial in turning matches around.

Identify The Real Problem

Rob Wright, Senior Director at Amelia Island Resort (Florida)

If you’re losing, don’t panic. Instead, ask yourself:

•Am I making tactical errors (wrong strategy)?

•Or execution errors (missing opportunities)?

If you are creating opportunities, but making errors on critical points, this could mean the strategy does not need to be changed; you just need to execute the finishing shots on the big points. Understanding the types of errors you are making helps you navigate the situation and turn the match around.

Change the Pace

Cal Loveridge, Director of Racquets at Barton Creek Country Club (Texas)

When a match is slipping away from you, it’s often helpful to change the pace. If your opponent is playing well and moving quickly between points, try slowing things down. Take a bit more time between points to reset and disrupt your opponent’s rhythm.

On the flip side, if your opponent is playing slowly, try speeding up the points. Take control, dictate the pace, and work to shift the match back in your favor.

Turning a match around is as much about mindset as it is about skill. The key is to take control of what you can control. Comebacks are about small, intentional decisions that slowly shift the momentum back in your favor. Remember, every point is a new opportunity. Believe in yourself, stay calm under pressure, and take it one point at a time!