Tennis is an interval sport. A point lasts a few seconds, followed by a short rest, repeated for one to three hours. Long, slow jogging helps a little, but the fitness that wins matches is the ability to sprint, stop, change direction and recover quickly, again and again. The aerobic base A good aerobic base … Read more
Every player goes through periods where tennis feels like a chore: a plateau, a string of losses, a busy life that turns practice into an obligation. Motivation comes and goes, but a few habits help it come back more often. Know why you play People play tennis for very different reasons: competition, fitness, friendship, the … Read more
At club level, most points are lost, not won. The player who makes fewer unforced errors wins the majority of matches, even with less power. Consistency is a skill that can be trained like any stroke. Give yourself margin Aim higher over the net than you think, often three to six feet on rally shots, … Read more
The return is the second most important shot in tennis, and the most neglected in practice. Most players hit hundreds of serves in a session and almost no returns. Yet every service game you break starts with returns that put the ball back in play. Find the right position Start around the baseline and adjust. … Read more
Tennis has a reputation as an expensive sport, but it does not have to be. With public courts, sensible equipment choices and a few smart habits, you can learn and play regularly for very little. Find free or cheap courts Many towns have public courts that are free or cost little per hour. Parks, schools … Read more
Your grip decides the angle of the racquet face at contact, and therefore how easy it is to hit topspin, flat drives, slices or volleys. There is no single best grip, but each shot has one or two that work well. Finding the bevels A racquet handle has eight sides, called bevels. For a right-hander … Read more
Many baseline players avoid the net because they feel exposed there. Yet a reasonable volley ends points quickly and puts pressure on opponents, and in doubles you cannot avoid it. The net game is less about talent than about a compact technique and good positioning. The volley: short and firm Use a continental grip so … Read more
Tennis is a relatively safe sport, but its repetitive movements and sudden sprints put specific stresses on the body. Most tennis injuries are overuse problems that build up gradually, which also means they can often be prevented. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) Pain on the outside of the elbow, made worse by gripping or backhands. It … Read more
Doubles is a different game from singles. Points are shorter, the net is more important, and the team that communicates better often beats the team with better individual strokes. Get to the net The fundamental rule of doubles is that the team controlling the net usually wins the point. Volleying from close to the net … Read more
Coaches often say tennis is played with the feet. Most errors that look like technical problems with the forehand or backhand are really positioning problems: the player arrived late, too close, or off balance. Better footwork makes every stroke easier. Ready position and split step Between shots, stand with feet slightly wider than your shoulders, … Read more
