Is there space in the Red Ball stage to work on tactics? Is it worth it? The answer is yes. It’s not only worth it, but it is one of the main purposes of using soft balls in the first place! We use soft balls in order to slow down the game and allow our…
At the highest levels of competitive tennis, it can be very hard to know who is winning or losing at first glance. One of the key concepts of understanding the inner game of tennis is that of momentum development. The key questions are: 1. How do you start building momentum … what do you…
I just boarded my flight from Fort Myers, Florida back to my home in Tucson, Arizona. My mom lives in Naples and we try to get together every two or three months. My stay was short (only four days) but we were able to fit in three sessions of tennis. At 88, she is truly…
Winning Pretty is a new tennis technique book by Chris Lewit, author of the best-selling book The Secrets of Spanish Tennis. Winning Pretty is an expert’s guide to modern, world-class tennis technique and features cutting edge biomechanics, evidence-based technique analysis, diagrams and models, and many excellent technique drills for building beautiful, elastic technique. The book…
The tone and message of a player’s internal dialogue shape their perceptions and self-belief. In a match, tennis players go through so many emotions that having occasional negative thoughts is inevitable, but learning to avoid negative self-talk will increase their chances to succeed. As American psychologist William James once said, “It is you with the…
Physical preparation in tennis is essential to achieving success in this highly-demanding sport. From the earliest days of childhood tennis to competing at the professional level, tennis players must devote significant time and effort to developing and maintaining an optimal level of fitness, which extends to several key aspects of the game, ranging from endurance…
Unfortunately, kids around the world often do not receive a strong technical foundation in their strokes and movement. I have a great passion for training children and have dedicated much of my coaching work in tennis to developing a great base of technique for kids. I have also been fortunate to work with many tennis…
Tennis is not just a sport played on the courts; it’s a life lesson in itself. Beyond the athletic ability and the exhilarating matches, tennis offers a profound experience that extends far beyond the boundaries of the court. It’s a unique blend of competition, mental fortitude, and character-building that can shape individuals in ways that…
All of us should have a healthy and varied diet to provide us with the nutrients we need to be healthy, feel good and have energy. For an athlete, food is also essential for: •Increase in physical performance •Faster recovery •Have fewer injuries and illnesses The ideal diet for an athlete is not very different…
Does the success of Swiatek, Djokovic, and Nadal justify teaching the western forehand grip? We have all heard warnings about the dangers of using a western grip, especially from coaches in the United States. “You will shank (miss hit) the ball too much,” coaches often say. “You won’t be able to handle fast-paced balls when…