There are so many ups and downs in tennis. One minute you are on top of the world, and the next you are wondering if you actually know how to play the game. Novak Djokovic came into the Olympics having won just about everything he has played (with a couple of exceptions) including the…
There are many things to think about during a match. If you can create some good habits with the small things you are doing, the rest of your focus can be on the “difference makers” in the match. First, always call the score out prior to serving. Make sure your opponent hears you and…
I’m giving Paul Annacone credit for this. I’ve heard him state numerous times that a player should “hit the ball aggressively to a big target”. This is a much underused strategy and one that can be extremely effective. Many players have shots with a lot of power and/or depth, and that itself is enough…
I once had the chance to watch Martina Hingis, who was the top-ranked player in the world at the time, practice up close while coaching several players at the 1997 U.S. Open. Superficially, Hingis was solid, but not great. She was fast, but not the fastest. She struck the ball well, but half the…
Are your best shots failing you in a match? It may be time to change tactics. Strategy and tactics go hand in hand when winning a tennis match. Strategy is an overall plan to achieve your goal, while tactics are the actions that implement the strategy. When your best efforts to win a match…
This seems like a minor detail, but it’s very important and can make or break your next shot. Many players do not assume the correct ready position when they are waiting to hit the ball. The racquet should be directly in front of you with the racquet head above the height of your hands. If you…
It can be very frustrating for parents when their kid’s technique is poor or the player is struggling to make and retain important technical changes. More often than not, the failure is due to either the fault of the coach, player, or parent—or a combination of the three. Over the last 20 years that…
Summer is upon us and the opportunity to improve your tennis game waits. There are a number of potential areas of your game you can work on now. Hitting the ball, having a good strategy, being in good shape, and learning how to compete better, are key. Many of my students ask me to…
I have often stated how difficult competitive tennis is. There are so many different aspects for a player to focus on. Basically, tennis is a game of repetition. Players are trying to produce shots that are effective, and then, repeat them over and over. As players get better, the opponent often adjusts to their…
A tennis match can be a rollercoaster ride. Players have moments when they feel everything is going right, and shortly thereafter, everything can go wrong. It can change again and again. Being on the brink of winning the match is not an easy situation. If the player is any good at all and they…