| This article is about three New Years tennis | | | | unforced errors, the better you get the less. As you |
| resolutions. Number one, I will call other players and | | | | make a mistake learn to immediately turn away from it |
| organize my match play practices. Number two, I will | | | | and go to your returning position or serving position and |
| not get negative in matches, practice or tournament | | | | get mentally ready for the next point. If you have |
| play! Number three, I will step inside the court and | | | | trouble, remember "A lost point is past, the next point is |
| attack my opponents second serve! Here are a few | | | | present and requires your full attention, NOW!" At |
| pointers that will help. | | | | every change of sides write down the mistakes you |
| Number one - Several reasons why you do not | | | | made, make a clear mental picture on how you would |
| practice are because you may be embarassed to ask | | | | have played it to win the point and leave it at that. |
| or you may think others are better then you and if you | | | | Number three, I'll remember I will step inside the court |
| lose they may not play with you again. I am with you, | | | | and attack my opponents second serve! Make a |
| but how about this approach. Make a list of all players | | | | committment to be courageous, depending on the |
| you meet at tournaments or your club, get their phone | | | | quality of your opponents second serve, step 3 to 6 |
| numbers and addresses, call the ones you think you | | | | feet inside the court and take the return early! I give |
| have good chance to beat, use these practices to try | | | | you 3 choices: |
| new things you have learned. As you go through the | | | | - If the serve is really weak put it away! |
| list you will get the ones you think might that beat you, | | | | - If you want to pressure your opponent hit the ball |
| with these stay calm and consistent, build up your | | | | with a little under spin or fairly flat down the line and |
| points patiently, do not go for winners all the time, | | | | move in to the net. |
| make them earn their points. At the end of each | | | | - If you have plenty of respect, take the ball early, hit it |
| practice give them your phone number and address. | | | | hard cross court and hold your position inside the court, |
| Before you know it, they will be calling you too! | | | | next, if you get a weak short ball from your opponent, |
| Number two, I will not get negative in matches, practice | | | | step in put the ball away or go to the net with it! |
| or tournament play! I will not get negative when I make | | | | Well, there you have it three New Years tennis |
| mistakes or begin losing. This is a challenge for most | | | | resolutions. The rest is up to you! Wait a second, I |
| people, but this year it will be different...yes! This year | | | | must have forgotten something...oh yea!...Happy New |
| mistakes and losing are part of learning how to win! | | | | Year! |
| The very best in the world make very silly mistakes | | | | For comments or ideas about this article please email |
| as you see on TV and lose more often then they win, | | | | the author Sergio Cruz |
| exception Federer. One good way to go about it is to | | | | Copyright © 2005 Tenniscruz.com(R). All rights |
| allow yourself a quota of mistakes per set, say 20 | | | | reserved. |