| ONE of the most important things in tennis is to keep | | | | deep, you should play higher above the net than in |
| the eye on the ball. Nine players out of ten lose sight | | | | doubles, where one or both opponents are likely |
| of a ball shortly after it crosses the net. It is essential to | | | | to be near the net. In general never play a return |
| watch it until it comes in contact with the racquet. Most | | | | very low, that is, near the net on its way over, except |
| players, when they should be watching the ball, are | | | | when the opponent is close up. Playing a return |
| either looking at their opponent or at the spot on their | | | | deep and well above the net keeps the opponent |
| opponent's court where they wish to place the ball. | | | | from coming to the net. |
| The player who takes his eye off the ball, if only for | | | | After making a bad return try not to get angry over |
| the fraction of a second, may in that short time miss | | | | your shot. Rather try to perceive at once what your |
| the opportunity for hitting it clean, i. e., in the center of | | | | error was and to correct the fault. It may have been |
| the racquet. This applies to every shot in tennis. | | | | your position instead of your stroke. Many a player |
| It is an excellent thing while playing to repeat to one's | | | | blames a bad return on the stroke when really it was |
| self over and over again:" Eye on the ball," "Eye on the | | | | the fault of his position. For instance some players |
| ball." | | | | keep putting the ball in the net. If they studied their |
| Many a volley and smash go out of court because the | | | | shots they would see that the thing to do was to get |
| racquet has turned in the hand. This happens because | | | | more height on the ball. |
| the ball has not met the center of the racquet. Even a | | | | There are many little faults a player could correct by |
| tighter grip will not prevent this. This difficulty is obviated | | | | himself if only thought of at the moment he makes |
| by keeping the eye on the ball. Watch your ball and | | | | them. Here are a few to remember and correct: |
| you are bound to judge it right. By hurrying and losing | | | | First -- Don't hurry; you have more time than you think |
| sight of it you are bound to misjudge it. Keeping the | | | | if your position is the center of the court. |
| eye on the ball does not mean merely to watch it | | | | Second -- Don't take your stroke so close to your |
| casually, but to reckon its flight, also to judge the speed | | | | body that you cannot make a clean swing. |
| and depth of the stroke. By doing this the player can | | | | Third -- Don't try to kill a ball when an easy one would |
| tell beforehand where the ball is going to drop in court. | | | | do. |
| Another thing of first importance in tennis is to put the | | | | Fourth -- Don't let your opponent find you out of |
| ball over the net. A player feels disappointed and | | | | position as a result of watching your own return. |
| angry at a ball that goes out of court. He feels the | | | | Fifth -- Don't take your eye off the ball, as it prevents |
| same way when he puts it into the net, for this has | | | | you from making a clean stroke. |
| sacrificed all the chance he might have had of winning | | | | Sixth -- Don't fail to "finish out " on your stroke in order |
| the point. | | | | that you may get a " drop " on the ball as it passes |
| Again you see many players take balls which if let | | | | over the net. |
| alone would go out of court. In doubles suppose you | | | | All these little faults and many more which players |
| call "out," but still your partner takes it. If he returns the | | | | have could be prevented if discovered and corrected |
| ball he at least has his opponent guessing and trying | | | | at the time they are committed. Many players complain |
| for a return. Many times he will be in doubt if he should | | | | that they have not the time while playing to correct |
| take it, not knowing if the ball is going to be good. All | | | | faults. One has more time in tennis then he is apt to |
| this is that much more strain on his nerves. | | | | realize, and this excuse is not a sound one. |
| Notice a first class player while in a game. He is | | | | To learn more tennis tips, you can visit the website. |
| always putting the ball over the net and at least two | | | | Hope you enjoy yourself. |
| feet above it. The fault of the average player Is, that | | | | Publisher's Directions: This article may be freely |
| he plays his ball too fine, putting too many into the net | | | | distributed so long as the copyright, author's information, |
| in consequence. | | | | disclaimer, and an active link (where possible) are |
| In singles, because the opponent is more often playing | | | | included. |