| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | discourage you. |
| Tennis tip #1 | | | | You're showing your opponent that you are not afraid |
| When you start your warm up before the match you | | | | to come to the net and you are also adapting to his |
| first need to get used to the conditions and your feel | | | | shots. Imagine how good it will feel when you hit |
| and form for that day. It's not realistic to expect that | | | | excellent volleys and overheads towards the end of |
| you'll be feeling superbly well every day. | | | | the set. |
| So check the conditions - windy, sunny, hot or | | | | Tennis tip #6 |
| something else and adapt your shots and tactics | | | | This is actually a summary of the above mentioned |
| accordingly. Then check your feel for the ball and | | | | tips: first deal with the tennis game and conditions on a |
| racquet, your general mood and look to improve on | | | | given day. And when you get reasonably comfortable |
| them. | | | | with the tennis game and conditions, start thinking and |
| Tennis tip #2 | | | | dealing with your opponent. This is my primary tennis |
| When you start the match you furthermore need to | | | | playing tip whenever I start the match. |
| get used to your opponent's play. Most of the players | | | | Tennis tip #7 |
| don't play the same in the warm up as they do in the | | | | Now you are trying to figure out how to outplay your |
| match. So you are very likely to see and feel new | | | | opponent. Ask your self - where are his weaknesses |
| speeds and spins of the ball. | | | | and where are his strengths? Look to exploit his |
| Don't panic if you can't adapt in the first minute. Your | | | | weaknesses with your strengths and try to avoid your |
| brain is getting the information, unless you're too | | | | weakness against his/her strength. |
| emotional. Remember previous matches, how you | | | | It sounds so logical but in my experience I don't see |
| found your timing on returns or volleys or whatever | | | | many players actually thinking logically on court. They |
| caused problems at first. | | | | are usually too emotional. You need to learn how to |
| Just watch the ball well and notice what is happening - | | | | get out of emotional states quickly and start thinking |
| are you late, too far, is the ball too high and then | | | | smartly and positively for the next point. |
| gradually adapt. Don't force it - it will happen if you are | | | | Tennis tip #8 |
| relaxed. | | | | When you finally see what your opponent's |
| Tennis tip #3 | | | | weaknesses are you must first check with yourself |
| The most important shots which define how the point | | | | whether your level of play realistically allows you to |
| will be played are the serve and the return. If you have | | | | play certain shots. If you your opponent moves very |
| a weak serve and return, then you'll be on defense the | | | | slowly towards the net, is you drop shot reliable |
| whole point. | | | | enough to use it? |
| A good serving tip is to first find your serve. Don't blast | | | | Don't change your game too much or into areas that |
| your first serves in the match at your full power. Start | | | | you don't master. Adapt your game so it is very |
| at 75%, then increase the speed and see where is the | | | | difficult for your opponent, but stay in your limits. |
| best feeling and percentage of shots. | | | | Tennis tip #9 |
| The same rule applies to returns - start with medium | | | | If you did a good job using the above mentioned tips, |
| paced returns down the middle and then add speed | | | | you are now probably ahead in the match. This is one |
| and placement when the match progresses. The main | | | | of the biggest traps in the game. You might try to |
| goal of the return on the first serve is to get it back | | | | defend the lead. You'll start thinking: "I don't want to |
| deep down the middle and on the second serve to | | | | lose this lead now." |
| make your opponent run - so preferably a cross court | | | | And since our brain does not understand the word NO, |
| return. | | | | it hears: "I want to lose this lead now." and it will help |
| Tennis tip #4 | | | | you do it. |
| The game is obviously based on forehands and | | | | Does this sound familiar? You need to think what you |
| backhands - hence "groundstrokes". You need to find | | | | want: "I want to finish the set." or "I want to extend the |
| them also when you start the match. Start with long | | | | lead." |
| cross courts 2-5 feet over the net and aim 5 feet | | | | Tennis tip #10 |
| from both side and baseline. | | | | You are now at match point having played masterfully |
| When you find good length, start utilizing short cross | | | | through the whole match. There are many mind traps |
| court and down the lines shots to make your opponent | | | | here. See if you fall into one of them: |
| run. | | | | - If I miss this opportunity, I won't get another one |
| Tennis tip #5 | | | | - If I win this, it won't be fair. He/she is actually a better |
| The same principle applies to volleys and overheads. It | | | | player. |
| may take you 10 or 20 minutes before you play your | | | | - I don't want to make a double fault now. |
| first volley or overhead, so don't expect a perfect shot. | | | | - This is it. (and you make a historic event in your mind |
| Or maybe you can expect it but don't get too upset if | | | | about one point in a tennis game) |
| it doesn't happen. | | | | If any of these thoughts enters your consciousness, |
| Actually if you often play at the net you're maybe | | | | smile at them, say: "Yeah, right." and then play your |
| aware of this fact: you need to develop the feel and | | | | match point decisively and with courage. Then go |
| timing for your volleys too. You might play a couple of | | | | shake the hand of your opponent. |
| poor volleys or overheads first but don't let that | | | | |