Back in the day, men's tennis was ruled for a time by big-mouthed boors who railed against the injustices and perceived slights inflicted by the tennis establishment. The irony, of course, is that these rebels without a clue rarely played by the rules of sportsmen-like behavior. Some of these tennis thugs have grown up, but…
Challenge yourself to go after every ball. Many times during a point, it is natural to watch your opponent's shot and try to figure out whether you can get to it or not. By the time you have decided, it is too late. Instead, focus on turning your shoulders and taking your first step to…
With the spring weather still a little unpredictable, remind yourself to use your feet and early preparation to help allow for some adjustments if the ball does not do what you expected. Adding to this issue is the fact that many people have been playing indoor tennis with very little change in conditions. The cool…
The Memphis Open, the only indoor ATP tournament in the U.S., is leaving after 41 years and relocating to The Nassau Coliseum next February. Remember when pro tennis was scheduled to come to Long Island last year at Hempstead Lake State Park? That "event" folded before it got started, but this is the real deal, led by…
Toss the ball a little more forward when deciding to serve and volley. It should feel as if you naturally need to take a few steps into the court after making contact with the ball. Continue in until your opponent is just about to start their forward swing. Just prior to their shot (regardless of…
Many of us are geared towards hitting the ball through our opponent with power and depth. Using the drop shot in addition to this idea can make the court seem very big and difficult for your opponent to cover. The key to the drop shot is aligning the head of the racket with the ball,…
Watch the ball come off of your opponent's racquet, turn your shoulders for a forehand or a backhand, and get your feet moving to the ball. Try to make contact just out in front of your body and once you finish the shot, get ready for the ball to come back. There are several reasons…
Roger Federer won the BNP Paribas Open last week after a recent six-month injury layoff. At the ripe age of 35, he is rewriting the record books, seemingly defying the laws of physics and human biology. With both Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray struggling, it's reasonable to pencil Roger in as an early Wimbledon favorite…
I’m writing from the terrace of the players’ lounge at the Indian Wells event, where the view is incredible, and the desert mountains in the background resemble a postcard. Fernando Verdasco just finished his match, as the hot temperature reached its peak around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It was a tough loss; Fernando couldn’t handle adversity…
The serve and return of serve are the two most important shots in tennis. These shots usually determine who will take control of the point. A high percentage of first serves hit three-quarters speed will produce better results than a low percentage of first serves hit at maximum speed. In doubles, serving directly towards your opponent is…