Even though the newest racquet and string technology has enabled players to hit the ball with more speed and spin than ever, it has become increasingly difficult to hit a shot through your opponent. The modern player has learned how to take a few steps back from the baseline and turn defense into offense….
One of the most difficult tasks a player faces on the court is executing their “regular” shots and “normal” swings regardless of the type of ball that is hit to them. Using the swing that you have practiced and repeated over and over in previous matches will give you the best chance to hit…
Holding serve in the modern game of tennis has become more and more difficult. Players can now return serve more often and even use the speed of the serve to add to the offensive nature of their return. Holding serve now requires a one two punch on most points-a good serve and a good…
We have all heard the advice about hitting the ball to the middle in doubles whenever you are not sure where to go. This is very sound advice and usually works well. Another idea is to always go towards the baseline player (if there is one) to set up the point or if you…
Tennis players, coaches, and observers often speak about finishing or closing out a match. Some players seem to have great success in this situation and others struggle. The players who handle this scenario best tend to play “their game” despite the pressure. This means approaching each point the way they do throughout the match…
Many players who are trying to improve their game go out on a daily basis and hit balls–literally, they just hit tennis balls. This type of practice can be helpful when trying to develop muscle memory, time and rhythm, and, basically, to groove your strokes. There is a place for this but if you…
A friend asked me recently what the difference is between the very best tennis players in the world and the players who are not quite at the top of the game. I believe the one attribute that separates the best from the rest is their ability to deal with adversity. These players keep the…
Simona Halep finally overcame her past problems in Grand Slam Finals and won the French Open. She has been the number one player in the world for some time (which seems a little crazy since she had not won a Grand Slam) but has had a difficult time with that last match in the majors….
I started playing tennis at 10-years-old. My brother Paul started when he was five. I think it helped Paul to start at an earlier age and his playing achievements far surpassed mine. However, that is not always the determining factor and it is important to approach each child on a case by case basis….
I have seen many tennis professionals and coaches feed balls from a basket to develop the correct technique or to work on a specific shot. Feeding the ball to a player can help them get in a groove and develop some consistency with the shot while executing proper technique. Unfortunately, you cannot count on…