Often when playing online (less so right now against the CPU), my foe will hit a good, wide serve, which I usually get to with not much difficulty. The problem, though, is that there is very little time for any type of preparation when I return the serve, as I had to run to it and usually hit it with little time or distance to spare. Because of how the game is designed, my return in this case basically goes right back to the server, who is just waiting there at the baseline (old post, "on the "T" -- which was wrong). So, I am wide to my right, way outside of the lines as I return the serve, and my devious foe, waiting for my return, hits the ball over to my extreme left, often right on the corner. I can often get to this also, but it is the same situation -- little time left for any preparation.
I'm experimenting with different strategies here. The slice return is one option, as it is easy to just press the slice button, and no real preparation is required for that (as far as trying to give direction to the return is concerned). So, this gives me a little more time that if I just return an accelerated strike. Sometimes, of course, my clever foe will see me running back to the center and hit the ball to my right, where I had just been. So clever he is.
Please share some tips or thoughts about a winning strategy here.