| p>Use tennis statistics to win! Some will say its just a | | | | Going back to how you can see why you are faring |
| bunch of numbers that happen randomly from match | | | | well or not against other players through reading your |
| to match with no effect on my tennis. Sure, you could | | | | stats, I will give you an example I extrapolated from |
| think the same way but, you would be missing one of | | | | the ATP and the professional tennis players; in 2006 I |
| the greatest tools that can help you improve your | | | | saved some statistics from the ATP on the best 10 |
| tennis game immensely. | | | | players. Then in 2008 I compared two of those |
| The key is to make the stats work for you. | | | | players, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and the |
| What do you need to do? | | | | results were startling to say the least! Right there in |
| Focus on one part of your game only. For example | | | | black and white, Roger Federer's demise as the N1 in |
| unforced errors. Have your coach or a friend chart the | | | | the world was clear. |
| statistics of a full match 2 or 3 sets (practice or | | | | To give you an idea through a single statistic (Aces), |
| tournament play). | | | | from November 2006 to June 2008, Roger Federer |
| Whatever the result, if you are playing an opponent of | | | | went from N 3 in service Aces to N 7 while at the |
| identical level as yours, you will have a number and this | | | | same time Rafael Nadal went from N 48 to N 1. |
| number looked at in the overall context of the match | | | | Staggering improvement on Nadal's part! |
| can tell you if it was a determining factor or not in your | | | | You may say, but it is just the serve! Yes, but the |
| win or loss. | | | | serve is one of the most important strokes to build |
| Once that is determined the kind of consistency level | | | | victories in tennis, whether you are a baseliner or an |
| you are at will also be evident to you as well as the | | | | aggressive attacker, the quality of your serve can be |
| need to work intensively on it or not. | | | | the difference between winning and losing. |
| This is a simple step to improvement but an important | | | | In Roger Federer's case it was a lot more then the |
| one, because the ability to be consistent on any shot is | | | | serve that fell apart during the first part of the year. In |
| key to playing higher level competitive tennis. The | | | | some stats he fell from N1 to 15 and in 10 statistics |
| quicker you find the culprit, be it the forehand or | | | | with the exception of one or two, he saw a substantial |
| backhand the faster you will be on your way to | | | | drop in all of them. I invite you to read the full article at |
| becoming a better player. | | | | my website. |
| Of course this involves enormous complexities and a | | | | Anyway here you have a good starter for improving |
| tennis coach must be your guide. Take for example, | | | | your game of tennis. Statistics can help you in every |
| you find out your forehand is costing you matches. | | | | area of your tennis, this meaning that stats are clinical |
| Your first reaction may be, well I will hit thousands of | | | | and unforgiving, if your returns are letting you down it |
| forehands and I will solve the problem. Not necessarily! | | | | will be there in black and white for you or your coach |
| Several of the reasons why you are missing your | | | | to see. The same applies for forehands, backhands, |
| forehand could be among the following and the list is | | | | volleys and even your mental game only if you are |
| non exhaustive: | | | | able to tie the specific moments when things |
| - Poor timing. | | | | happened in the course of a tennis match. |
| - Improper back swing (too wide or too short). | | | | Good coaches and smart players use tennis statistics |
| - Extreme grip or wrong grip. | | | | all the time to eliminate potential weaknesses, find a |
| - Footwork or lack of footwork. | | | | soft spot in an opponent's game, and to improve any |
| - Lack of fitness (tire too early in the matches and | | | | part of your game be it technical or mental you can |
| start making mistakes independent of proper stroke | | | | address it immediately! |
| production). | | | | You can do the same and become a better player or |
| - Over-hitting the ball or rushing to hit winners too early. | | | | even the player you always dreamed to be. Do not |
| And the list of reasons to miss forehands, backhands | | | | wait, get yourself a stats form or a software like the |
| or any other shot in tennis is endless. That is why the | | | | one I promote on my website and start winning |
| professional, knowledgeable and experienced eye of a | | | | matches against players you've lost to in the past! |
| good coach is fundamental to help you determine the | | | | Wishing you a great start and an even better ending |
| right way for you to use stats to work on your game. | | | | for this season! |