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