| > | | | | A good example of this is the match Dutchman |
| | | | Verkerk played against Federer in Paris in 2004. |
| Hi, | | | | Verkerk hit an enormous amount of winners, but |
| This is the second in a series of tennis tips. I don't | | | | unfortunately made almost as many unnecessary |
| assume to tell you something new every time, | | | | mistakes as well. His unforced errors evened out his |
| however sometimes you need to hear something you | | | | winners. Although he had the initiative during most of |
| already know one more time! | | | | the match, in the end he lost. |
| As promised, this time I will give you some tactical | | | | Experience (gained from years of practice and playing |
| advice. | | | | lots of matches) and talent will help you decide when |
| It's called: CONSISTENCY! | | | | to go for the winner and when to play it 'safe'. |
| In tennis the basic idea is to hit the ball over the net into | | | | This is called playing the percentages (or percentage |
| the field of the opponent and preferably one time | | | | tennis). It's all about consistency in all game situations. |
| more often than him/her. If you succeed you win the | | | | (More about that next time.) |
| point. That's the basic idea. Now I know there's more | | | | All this is assuming you can already play both |
| to it, however since it is so basic, so essential, it's worth | | | | offensive and defensive shots. If you just started to |
| paying attention to. | | | | play tennis the most important thing for you is: |
| On almost all levels you win more points of your | | | | CONSISTENCY! |
| opponent's mistakes than you do of your own winners. | | | | Yep, just concentrate on keeping the ball in play. Try to |
| Every now and then on a professional level you will | | | | get to every ball, run the soles off your shoes and hit |
| see a player hit more winners than his/her opponent | | | | the ball to the other side. Be persistent and you'll drive |
| made unforced errors, but often it is the other way | | | | people crazy! |
| around even on that level. | | | | "All he/she does is bringing back the ball", they will say. |
| This balance between taking risk and not making to | | | | (You will smile and know that you consciously chose |
| many unforced errors is very delicate and very | | | | this strategy while you are still developing your game.) |
| important if you want to enjoy some success in tennis. | | | | So, remember to play with consistency! |