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Last week we held a few lessons in the wind and some of my students found it hard to adjust. Windy conditions are a nightmare for tennis players.
It can turn anybody into a hack, playing havoc with your ball toss, your footwork, your hitting stance and your concentration.
Try to warm up in the worst of the conditions. Use your practice time to get used to having the wind in your face. This may give you a crucial advantage early in the match as your opponent may have to adjust during the game.
Generally speaking the wind will not be straight up and down the court. It usually blows to some degree across the court as well. Angle your shots to take advantage of the wind, this will push them further into the corners and weaken the chance of returns.
With the wind at your back exaggerate topspin. Still take a full swing but add more topspin. Topspin will help the ball drop; often players have a tendency to start pushing the ball with the wind. This will only lead to the ball floating long and create other problems.
Drive the ball hard into the wind. Take some topspin off. As mentioned earlier, topspin makes the ball drop quicker and takes some pace off the ball, something you don't need hitting into the wind. You need your shots to be deeper. Hit the ball a little harder. Lean forward and get your full weight into the ball to prevent it dropping too short.
Try attacking the net to take the wind out of play. Going to the net you are giving the ball less distance to travel and less time for the wind to mess with the ball. The short backswing on volleys may also help reduce the margin for error in windy conditions. Approach the net on a strong shot, don't just run in to the net anytime (hit your approach shot down the line mainly) you will just make room for your opponent to pass you.
Serving well is particularly important in windy conditions. You are in control, wait until the gust dies down so you are in control of your ball toss. Sometimes lowering your ball toss can help. Hit with good margin for error and let them worry about the ball changing course mid-path.
Drop shots can be low percentage but if you get the opportunity play your drop shots into the breeze to exaggerate the effect of pulling your opponent forward (don't do it with the wind).
Be prepared to make late corrections when playing into the wind. Best not to go with your first instincts as the ball can often change at the last second.
Otherwise, find a court indoors!
