Tips From The Pro: Always Have a Game Plan

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 on other points. 

Stick with your game plan if it is successful and give it a chance to work even if you are not winning at first. Don’t abandon your game plan if you are struggling until you are a set and a service break down. If that happens, do not panic—just adjust it rather than changing it completely. 

A good game plan can help you overcome those difficult days when your shots are not quite as crisp as you would like them to be. Try to do your best to stick with the plan!


Steve Annacone, an USPTA Elite Pro, is the Director of Annacone Tennis (www.annaconetennis.com). For details on lessons and camps in Sag Harbor and throughout the Hamptons this summer contactsannacone@annaconetennis.com or management@annaconetennis.com

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USTA NTC

January/February 2024 Digital Edition