US TENNIS
November 1997
You can come through at Crunch time
By Pete Sampras, Playing Editor
with Alexander McNab

The world's No.1 player tells you how to win the close ones

Crunch time -- a decisive third or fifth set, or a tie-break, or even the games from 4-4 on in the first or second set -- is when the top players at any level are separated from the others. During crunch time, you have to bear down on every point, because the end is close. It's a time when you have to rely on the years of practice and the years of muscle memory to carry you through the pressure.

Sometimes, though, the pressure can be too much and you can't handle it, and that's when you choke, which everyone has done. Here are a few ways you can avoid folding under the pressure.

Let your experience help.

Avoiding choking isn't the only reason you succeed in crunch time. Part of it is simply the experience of being in the situation. You need to play a lot of matches to learn how to win, so make sure you test yourself against good competition often.

Experience probably had a lot to do with me coming through against Dominik Hrbaty in the 1997 Australian Open. At crunch time in the fifth set, when I was down a break, I picked up my game a little and started playing more solidly, while he double-faulted a number of times.

In fact, sometimes it's your reputation that wins you matches. Once you start winning, you kind of expect yourself to win, and you believe in yourself when it comes to an important point.

Be decisive.

I remember losing close matches that I had a chance to win against veterans the first couple of years after I turned pro. The score would get to 4-all in the third, and those guys would come through and I wouldn't. I was not really sure of myself, not sure if I was doing the right thing. Where do I serve? Should I come in or stay back? When you are indecisive like that, the majority of the time you're not going to win. Make up your mind and let the chips fall where they may.

Play smart and relax.

Now I've played enough of those matches that I'm much more aware of what I want to do: Play smart and play safe, yet at the same time play aggressively. I can get too aggressive and miss some serves and some forehands. What works best for me is to be aggressive while staying in control.

Maybe you're trying too hard. I've done that -- tried for too much or tried too hard to be perfect. You need to just relax and let it go. You may find that all of a sudden there's a moment when everything clicks, the timing is there and you're hitting good shots. It just happens.

Stay positive.

There are some things that I'll say to myself for encouragement, such as "Keep on working." But when it comes to the actual playing of the point itself, you're best off just doing what you've relied on, what's gotten you there. I play my best in the clutch when I don't overthink and overreact to things. Maybe that approach will work for you, too.


Now here are some other ideas that can help you come through in crunch time.

Take Your Time

When I'm playing my best, I play at the same rhythm between points. But when it comes to a crucial point, I may adjust my strings with a string tool (right), or quickly towel off or look at an extra ball and throw it back.

If you're like me, you get into problems when you rush. So slow down by just a couple of seconds between points and spend that extra time to take some deep breath. The key is to make sure you're ready to go before you begin a big point.

A Few Tips On Tie-Breaks

Because every point in a tie-break is so important, it's a time to play more conservatively. At least I do. I may not take anything off my serve, but I'll take a little bit off the subsequent shots. If I'm 6 feet behind the baseline, I won't go for an aggressive shot. Then I'll really be patient on the shot I do go for. Wait for a short ball, then take your time to make a good stroke. You can get in trouble if you play too safe, however. You've got to find that fine line.

On the return of serve, for example, if I'm playing a Michael Chang and I get a second serve in a tie-break, he might be tight and hit it short, so I'll be able to crack a forehand. If I'm playing Goran Ivanisevic, on the other hand, I'll make sure I make the return (left) and make him play.

Fight To The Finish

When it comes to finding the willpower to battle through crunch time, I see it as a personal choice. You can either go in the showers in a half hour or you can keep on fighting and not quit. I think that once you're in that position, then you'll know what your choice is, but you won't know until you're there. Whether it's a grueling physical grind or taxing mental struggle or both, it's a personal choice of how far you're willing to put your body through the pain.

The day of the match in Australia this year against Hrbaty was an awful one for tennis, because of the heat. We were both struggling with it. But I was able to hang in there. If you can assume an attitude that lets your opponents know you're not going to quit, then you'll be all right.

Dictate With Your Favorite Shot

I'd much rather hit a forehand (left) on a big point than a backhand, because I'll be able to do something with the shot. I'd much rather be serving on a big point than returning. I'd much rather be at net than on the baseline. Ultimately, you want to be a player who is dictating.

You want to be the one who is determining how the match is going to go in crunch time. That means you should play the types of points and work the kinds of patterns that allow you to use your favorite shots. If I'm hitting my favorite shots in crunch time, then I feel things should work out the way I want.