Tips From The Pro: The Drop Shot

By Steve Annacone
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, turning the...Read more

Tips From The Pro: Hit The Ball Early

By Steve Annacone
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 to hit the ball...Read more

The Immortals

By Steven Kaplan
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...Read more

Making Beating Adversity a Habit

By Emilio Sanchez-Vicario
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...Read more

Tips From The Pro: Focus On The Serve and The Return

By Steve Annacone
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,...Read more

Tips From The Pro: Always Have a Game Plan

By Steve Annacone
It is so important to walk onto the court with a plan. A game plan may be as simple as hitting two or three crosscourt (or diagonal in doubles) groundstrokes and being patient at the baseline. Another basic plan can be to serve and volley on all first serves and work your way into the net gradually...Read more

Tips From The Pro: Get The Point Started

By Steve Annacone
If you are playing a match and you thought you had a great plan and strategy for success, but you find yourself struggling, go back to the basics. All points start with the serve and the return of serve. If you are not getting enough first serves in, make sure your idea is to hit the serve towards...Read more

The Broken Window

By Steven Kaplan
I watched a highly ranked student compete in a national tournament the other day and behave emotionally, talking to herself, throwing her arms up in the air and displaying anger at her performance. Her opponent responded with a few "questionable" line calls and yes, I believe it was a response to...Read more

Tips From The Pro: Play Every Point Like Match Point

By Steve Annacone
This basically means that every single point that is played contributes to the outcome of the match. A player should not try to play better if they are in a situation that they feel is crucial. The goal should be to play every point the best that you can and give yourself a chance to execute what...Read more

Tips From The Pro: The Circle of Death

By Steve Annacone
A great way to improve your results during a singles point (once you get past the serve) is to follow this idea: draw a circle five feet in all directions from the "T" (where the center service line and the service line meet) and you will define the "circle of death". If you hit a ball that lands...Read more

Tips From The Pro: Three Key Technique Ideas

By Steve Annacone
1) Watch the ball-this means watching from the toss on the serve to the ball coming off of your opponent's racket, all the way through the point of contact that your racket makes, and then repeating the same idea 4, 5, 6, 10+ times in a row if necessary. Try to keep your focus on the point of...Read more

Be Like Water

By Steven Kaplan
"Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around it or through it."—Bruce Lee This last weekend inspired me to remember that the heart of a champion refuses to quit with the adamant belief they will succeed. Now I'm no fan...Read more
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