3. Utilize Spin
Hitting high topspin shots will cause your opponent all sorts of problems since the ball will stay deep and bounce high. It can really force your opponent to move deep into the back court to return your shots -- and can force them to hit a lot of short balls.
More: 4 Tips for Playing Against Heavy Topspin
Keep an eye out for the short ball anytime your opponent is hitting into the wind. Being able to get to the net is a good idea when it is windy since the conditions make it tough to hit passing shots.
When the wind is blowing sideways rather than with or against you, side spins can be very effective. I have a slice backhand which I can also use a lot of side spin with.
More: Keys to an Effective Slice Backhand
If the wind is blowing to my right, I use a lot of side spin on the slice to force the ball to curve more to the right. The more you can get the ball travel sideways the more problems you can cause your opponent.
4. Adjust Your Serves
Slice and kick serves can be even more effective when the wind is blowing sideways. Again, get the ball to move as much as you can to the left or right to really keep your opponent on his/her toes.
More: Ball Toss: Proper Technique for a Tennis Serve
If you are someone with a very high toss, the ball is really going to do some serious movement in the air before you hit the ball. If the wind pushes your toss around, don't be afraid to catch the ball and start over. You have the luxury to do this as many times as necessary (even though it might annoy the heck out of your opponent).
5. Master the Overhead
Overheads can be tricky to hit when the wind makes them do a song and dance while they are up in the air. If the ball is high enough, you may consider allowing the ball to bounce before you hit the overhead. Allowing the ball to bounce will make it easier for you to adjust to the movement after the bounce since there will be much less movement from the wind.
More: The Essentials of the Overhead
The thing to remember when playing in the wind is that you both have to fight each other and the wind. There is no reason to get fancy -- just know what works and how to use the conditions to your advantage.
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