Tip of the Week: Easy Power

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By Steve Annacone
Many players on the ATP and WTA Tours produce powerful shots with swings that do not look extremely fast. Some of this comes from their natural ability, but there are things you can do to improve your power without adding more effort to your swings. First, you must realize that hitting the ball in...Read more

Tip of the Week: Holding Serve

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By Steve Annacone
If you have played someone with a good serve and the game to back it up, you know how difficult it is to win the match or even stay close enough to give yourself a chance to win since they will hold serve most of the time. Roger Federer's ability to hold serve has definitely played a major role in...Read more

Tip of the Week: Step to the Middle in Doubles

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By Steve Annacone
If you are the server's partner at the net and the serve lands anywhere from the middle of the box to the center service line, make a diagonal move towards the middle of the court. Most returners are not likely to hit the return towards your alley if the serve is hit well and in this area. If they...Read more

Tip of the Week: Don't Swing at Full Speed

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By Steve Annacone
I once heard someone ask Roger Federer if he swings at his serve at 100 percent speed. He replied that he rarely does. This is one of the reasons why Federer looks so effortless, not only serving, but basically on almost all of his shots. He tends to swing at the speed that he feels he can control...Read more

Tip of the Week: Attack Your Opponent's Second Serve

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By Steve Annacone
When someone misses their first serve, they absolutely have to get the second serve in the box. Because of this, even good tennis players can become tentative on their second serve. Try standing two or three steps inside of your first serve returning position prior to the opponent's second serve...Read more

Tip of the Week: Adjust Your Position to Control the Baseline

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By Steve Annacone
One of the biggest reasons Roger Federer is able to challenge for Grand Slams and remain one of the best players in the world at 37-years-old is because he uses his position on the tennis court to control the point. Although he sometimes gets pushed back when his opponent hits a deep offensive ball...Read more

Tip of the Week: Get In a Position to Win and Then Do It Again

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By Steve Annacone
I hear a lot of players talk about closing out matches. In order to close out a match, you must put yourself in a position to win . This means getting a break point, game point, set point, or match point. However, getting one opportunity that you believe is the difference between winning and losing...Read more

Tip of the Week: Hitting Shots on the Run

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By Steve Annacone
One of the most common strategies in tennis is to get your opponent running. The reason this is so popular is that most players are unable to hit the ball as well when they have to move a lot to hit their shot. The key to hitting the ball well on the run is giving yourself a chance to take the same...Read more

Tip of the Week: Pick a Spot on the Ball For Direction

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By Steve Annacone
There are many different ways to get your shot to go where you want it to go on the tennis court. The position that you set up in is the most reliable. This will make you swing in the direction of your target. However, the best players use the contact point on the ball to help get the direction...Read more

Tip of the Week: Make Sure Each Shot You Hit Has a Purpose

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By Steve Annacone
Every time you hit the ball on the tennis court, you should have a purpose for your shot. There are obviously times when your opponent has hit a very good shot and your options are limited. Even in this situation you can try to keep the ball deep, or low, or try to get it to the opponent's weaker...Read more

Tip of the Week: How to Compete

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By Steve Annacone
Playing tennis can be extremely difficult. There are many different variables involved when trying to win the match. The ability to compete is often overlooked when analyzing a player's performance on the court. Competing is the ability to do some things during the match to give yourself a chance...Read more

Tip of the Week: Timing the Split Step

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By Steve Annacone
Tennis players use the split step to establish balance before reacting to the opponent's shot. Both feet come off the ground and then hit the ground simultaneously. In the past, I instructed my students to do this right as the player is hitting the ball. However, the game has gotten faster and...Read more
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