Faulty second serves, shaky volleys, careless ground strokes and anger over bad line calls may rob us of many points. However, none of these are the primary cause of why most points are lost. Our mistakes are not as costly to us as are our negative reactions to our mistakes. For most players, more…
Very often, a match situation can change the way we hit the ball. When a tennis player is put in a competitive situation, the tendency is to immediately prioritize, “How can I win the point, the game, the set or the match?” Unfortunately, many of the things that happen when using this idea tend to…
Tennis has become an incredibly difficult sport to master. There are so many different aspects of becoming a good player: hitting the ball, strategy, fitness, and learning how to compete are just some of them. Most players take a lot of private lessons to get the fundamentals of their game to become habit. The…
I know grips are a big topic of discussion for tennis teaching pros. There are textbook grips assigned to most shots and accepted by the majority of tennis professionals. When teaching a “new” player, I try to stick close to the recommended grip. However, the more time a player spends on the court, the…
Historically, most Spanish players have been averse to attacking the net. Typically they would be content to grind from deep behind the baseline and win points through attrition and defense. That stereotype has now been shattered in the modern pro game. Spanish players have become well known for their offensive capabilities, particularly their forehand…
I know reading has become less prevalent among the younger generation as there are just so many other options including television, podcasts, websites, social media, and on and on, but there are a lot of great books out there that can really help your tennis game. I just started to reread Winning Ugly…
A lot has been said about tennis becoming a baseline game nowadays, with very few players venturing to the net to finish a point. However, it is still a definite advantage to hit the ball from a position closer to the net versus a long distance behind the baseline. Even though you see Daniil…
Playing well in a match is not easy. Even if you know your opponent, every time you step on the court things are different. There have been numerous times when I have worked with players who are hitting the ball great in a practice situation, but then everything falls apart when they get on the court…
Every tennis player should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses. I am a firm believer that it is more important to know and use your strengths than it is to know and attack your opponent’s weaknesses. Most players will hit the ball more solid, be more decisive, and play an overall better point…
My tip this week is about simplifying the sport of tennis. We all know how complicated things can get on the court. You are dealing with the opponent, the conditions, and most importantly, yourself. I have several ideas that I believe will make tennis easier for you. First, always be ready and expect every ball to come…