Hey,

The tie-break is the ultimate test of nerve. It's where matches are won and lost, and for many club (and pro) players, it can feel like a lottery. But with the right mindset and strategy, you can turn the odds in your favour.

Here are six key tips to help you conquer the crucial tie-break.

1. Reduce unforced errors

You need to strike a crucial balance between keeping the attacking momentum up, while understanding that most tie breaks are won not through winners but by who makes fewer errors. In the majority of cases, a combination of the perceived pressure of the tie-break plus being too attacking will increase unforced errors and hand the break to your opponent. Don’t let that happen.

2. Try and start strongly

This is a psychological battle as much as a physical one. Starting 1-0 or 2-0 up gives you a massive mental boost and puts immediate pressure on your opponent. Focus intently on your first two points, whether you're serving or returning. A strong start sets the tone for the rest of the tie-break.

3. Go for consistency, not glory

A common mistake is to try and hit a winner off every shot. Instead, dial back the power slightly and focus on hitting a high percentage of first serves and returns in play. Keep the ball deep and make your opponent play. Tie-breaks are often won by the player who makes fewer unforced errors.

4. Play to your strengths

Don't suddenly try a drop shot if it's not your go-to play. If you have a reliable forehand, make sure you prioritise it. Stick with the patterns of play that have been successful for you throughout the match. Your opponent knows what to expect, but executing it well under pressure is what matters.

5. Be proactive, not passive

While consistency is key, this isn't the time to sit back and push the ball. Look for an opportunity to step into the court, attack a short ball, or take control of a point. The tie-break rewards players who are willing to be aggressive and dictate the play, even if it's just by hitting with a little more depth and width than their opponent.

6. Forget the last point

Whether you've just double-faulted or hit a brilliant winner, the very next point is the only one that matters. Tie-breaks happen fast, and dwelling on a mistake or celebrating a victory for too long will make you lose focus. Take a deep breath, walk to your spot, and be completely present for the next point.

Learning from Novak Djokovic’s ‘Lockdown Mode’

Who better to learn from than the man with the highest tie-break winning percentage of all time? With a 65.4% win-rate, Novak Djokovic is a proven master of high-pressure tie-breaks.

Remember his iconic win over Roger Federer in the 2019 Wimbledon final? Novak won fewer points overall but clinched victory by winning all three sets that went to a tie-break. The key stat? In those three tie-breaks, Djokovic made zero unforced errors, while Federer made eleven. Novak simply did not miss a ball he shouldn't have.

If you end up playing a tie-break this weekend, keep these tips in mind.

Historic prize fund for the US Open

I found it interesting that the US Open men's and women's singles winners will get $5m each as part of a total pot of $90m in prize money, which the tournament says is "the largest purse in tennis history".

The amount for the eventual singles champions is a 39% increase on 2024 when it was $3.6m, while the total purse has gone up 20% from the $75m awarded last year.

In comparison, the total prize money at Wimbledon this year was £53.5m, with the men's and women's singles winners getting £3m apiece.

Players who are knocked out in the first round at the US Open will get $110,000 (£82,400), which is an increase of 10%.

Earlier this year, the top 20 men's and women's players sent a letter to the four Grand Slams asking for a greater share of the revenue generated by the major tournaments.

See you next week,

Caspian