Strategy Gone Wrong

A classic tennis strategy that frequently backfires is when a player, pulled wide off the court on defense, attempts a low-percentage down-the-line passing shot instead of hitting a safer crosscourt shot to buy time and recover position. The player attempts an ambitious winner, but the tight angle and defensive body position often result in a funny wide shot or the ball going directly into the net. This miscalculation of risk versus reward leaves a large portion of the court open and the player out of position, highlighting how trying to do too much with too little can turn a tactical decision into an embarrassing unforced error.