| For any of you who are thinking of taking up tennis, or | | | | If you've decided to take up tennis for fun, or for sport, |
| are simply interested in the basics of tennis, then you | | | | you'll find that tennis will pay dividends to you all of your |
| will find this an informative article. | | | | life. Tennis is excellent exercise and a great stress |
| It is good idea to dress in tennis clothes, as opposed to | | | | reliever. Additionally, tennis is a social sport. You can |
| street clothes for game play. Tennis clothing has been | | | | expect to make many friendships. |
| designed to give where necessary and provide the | | | | Here is a list of skills you should master, in the order |
| proper comfort level when exerting yourself and | | | | they should be attempted: |
| making quick movements. If you don't want to invest in | | | | 1. Concentration on the game. |
| a tennis outfit, make sure you wear shorts and a shirt | | | | 2. Keep your eye on the ball. |
| that have plenty of room for your movements. | | | | 3. Foot-work and weight-control. |
| If you are a beginner, you really shouldn't think in terms | | | | 4. Strokes. |
| of buying less expensive equipment. Your tennis | | | | 5. Court position. |
| racket is a very important element in becoming | | | | 6. Match play. |
| successful and building your skill base. Good quality | | | | 7. Tennis psychology. |
| rackets will always outlast poor ones, and so the | | | | A Word About Concentration |
| investment is worth it. Look for a racquet whose | | | | Tennis is first and foremost a game played with the |
| weight, balance, and size of handle fit your frame. | | | | mind. Yes, physical ability and skill are extremely |
| After you've decided upon a good quality racquet, | | | | important, but without concentration, these skills are of |
| make sure you use good tennis balls. The bounce you | | | | little use. You will find that if you develop your |
| will get from a good ball cannot be underestimated. | | | | concentration as your first and most important skill, it |
| If you are truly interested in learning the game, and | | | | will carry you far. There may be times in match play |
| succeeding rapidly, I would suggest watching some | | | | that noises from onlookers will distract. Additionally, |
| matches between talented players. In person is better, | | | | allowing yourself to concentrate on your game will also |
| but the television will do. If you watch their stokes and | | | | help keep your emotions in check if you aren't doing |
| leg movements closely, you will begin to see that | | | | well with your game. The sooner you learn this vital |
| certain movements are used consistently, every time. | | | | lesson, the better. In fact, in many cases, a player will |
| You may also consider getting an instruction book. This | | | | highly developed concentration skills will find that they |
| is particularly helpful if you are planning on taking | | | | can beat a player of great ability, if that player doesn't |
| lessons. That way you can be familiar with the | | | | possess the same abilities in his or her concentration. |
| terminology prior to beginning. | | | | Learning tennis can be the start of a live long love of |
| If you decide to take lessons, as opposed to "learning | | | | the sport. If you take the time to learn the |
| on the job", never be discouraged if your progress is | | | | fundamentals, obtain the proper equipment and work |
| slow. Just continue to practice the strokes as you | | | | on mastering the skills you need, one at a time, you will |
| have been taught and eventually you will find that they | | | | most certainly succeed in not only enjoying yourself, |
| both improve and become second nature. There are | | | | but experiencing the satisfaction of becoming a skilled |
| very few natural geniuses of the game. Excellent | | | | athlete. |
| tennis players are the product of hard work. | | | | |