Some Simple Tennis Playing Tips

Practice makes perfect, and getting some tips and advice from experts, coaches, and seasoned players may help improve the way you play tennis as well. Even the most experienced players seek tennis playing tips every now and then for the same reason. It does not matter whether you are new to tennis or you have been playing for a long time. With the right tips, you should have a better understanding of your moves and strokes to improve your game. Here are some simple tennis playing tips:

• Practice with a more experienced player – Take your practice sessions up a notch by practicing with someone who has more experience than you. That way, you can learn techniques from a better or more advanced player. Practicing with an experienced player lets you hit high, down, and soft the middle on your shots. You become defensive, too, and as you do, you can learn a thing or two from experience.

• Watch recordings of your game or practice sessions – Even professional’s watch recordings of their gameplay or their opponents to learn where they can improve, so why shouldn’t you? Doing so helps them master certain techniques, too, or review certain techniques, which they might have accidentally done.

• Make sure you have the right gear – It does not matter whether you are a pro or a beginner. All tennis players need to have and use the right equipment, like a perfect tennis racket in the right size, the perfect grip size, and correct stringing. For adults, rackets are ideally 26 inches or 27 inches in size. Be sure to wear proper tennis shoes, ideally, those that have a herringbone tread, which can withstand side-to-side moves.

• Serving – To become a competitive player, you need to learn and have a consistent, solid serve. If you want to serve into the net, consider tossing the tennis ball less far forward, then lean in further before swinging. If you toss a ball much higher than the point of contact, it will cause a downward vector as it goes down toward the racket. Hence, make sure the ball is tossed not more than three or four inches higher than the point of contact.

Some Biggest Tennis Training Mistakes

Practice and training are crucial in mastering tennis and becoming a better player. If you are serious about improving your game, avoid these biggest tennis training mistakes:

• Not being punctual – Are you always late for training sessions? Consistent tardiness will not only make your coach or trainer frustrated, but it can make them lose the motivation and energy to help you. If being late becomes a habit and you do not care about that at all, you could be wasting your money on training due to missed opportunities for a full lesson.

• Copying other players – There is nothing wrong with learning from other players, especially if you are a beginner tennis player, but be sure not to copy exactly everything they do. It is important to learn your own technique, use your own gear, and develop your own play style. Constantly changing techniques and tools may lead only to frustration and confusion.

• Getting advice from the wrong people – Do not listen to people who have no knowledge or experience on tennis, especially if they only bring you down or talk you out of playing. Work only with tennis pros and trainers who are much worth seeking direction and advice from.

• Being content with where you are – Some players tend to be content with their existing playing skill, resulting in them not being able to give or realize their best. To be the best and to improve, you need to avoid going with the flow and continue working hard. Change this attitude by having a more positive outlook and by setting goals to keep you motivated.

• Thinking you are better than what you really are – If you do not address your weaknesses, then you will fail. Be sure to remain humble and be honest with yourself. Get help when needed, and find ways to constantly improve yourself.

Learn How to Take Perfect Volley Shots

When taking perfect volley shots, remember that the goal is to surprise the person you are playing against. The perfect volley shot should limit the reaction time of your opponent. Hence, it is considered an offensive shot. Tennis volley shots can reduce the bad bounce effect, which typically occurs on clay and grass courts. Moreover, playing a volley, especially if you are near the net, can let you do any type of angled shot, which your opponent will find difficult to return. In case your opponent manages to return the ball, it is typically a weak shot.

Having quick reflexes and good hand-eye coordination are crucial to perfect volley shots, but there are things you must remember to make sure that you can do them perfectly. Here are few steps to making perfect volley shots:

1. Keep your racket in ready position – Change the position slightly from how you would normally prepare for a groundstroke. Do this by bringing your racket head slightly higher, and move your elbows forward to keep them in front of your body.

2. Move your hands and head towards the ball once you see it coming – The racket head should be in position in front of you. If executed correctly, you should feel the upper body go to the ball, with your feet following. It can become a dive or a controlled lunge, too.

3. Avoid swinging at the ball – The perfect volley is short, like a punch, and it should take place entirely in front of you. Use your forearm and wrist to bring your racket head down to the ball in a sharp and short action, but make sure that the racket’s face is slightly open. With a downward action, the ball should shoot through the court with some backspin, while keeping it low off the bounce and harder for your opponent to pass it back.

4. Follow through – Take note of the direction where you want the ball to be, and quickly return to the center of the court to prepare for the next shot.

Differences Between Power Tennis Racquet and Control Tennis Racquet

When choosing a tennis racquet, you are likely to come across terms like ‘power’ and ‘control’. These are the two main factors you must consider when selecting a tennis racquet that is right for you. Here is an overview of their differences:

Power

A power tennis racquet adds more power to your swing, and it is typically suitable for beginners. Despite having a lot of power, the racket is lightweight, generally weighing about eight to 10 ounces, and it has a larger head, which is about 100 to 130 square inches in size. An oversized head provides a larger ‘sweet spot’ to enable maximum return on a ball. Power tennis racquets are head-heavy and longer to provide extra torque to the swing, and their strings are loose for more power.

The only downside to a power tennis racquet is the minimum control it offers for the ball. Hence, it is only recommended to players who are looking for a way to get the ball properly over the net instead of focusing on advanced tennis methods where placement and spin are concerned.

Control

The control tennis racquet is what you need if you are seeking more control for the ball. It is designed for advanced players who are already adept in their swing power and are now looking for a racquet that will provide more control over the ball’s spin and placement.

Control racquets weigh about 11 to 15 ounces, making them heavier than power tennis racquets. Their heads are smaller and lighter, too, to enable maximum maneuverability. Unlike power tennis racquets, control racquets are tightly strung and have thinner beams to allow better control for the ball.

The key to choosing the proper tennis racquet is finding the right balance between control and power. Hence, be sure to explore the large selection of racquets that suit your needs and skill level. Any combination of those factors should help you find the right racquet that suits your playing ability, while helping you improve in the long run.

Know the Difference Between Different Tennis Grips

The grips you use in tennis will have a direct influence on your play style. Tennis grips are among the factors that will determine the amount of spin you can do and the amount of pace you can generate. When comparing different tennis grips, keep in mind that one grip should not be better than another. Pick a grip that can help your play style. For instance, if you are aggressive, go for a grip that lets you hit through the ball with more pace, like how Federer does it. If you are a consistent player, consider a grip that lets you achieve more spin, like what Nadal does.

A tennis racket grip is divided into eight bevels, and the type of grip will depend on where your heel pad and index knuckle are resting. Here are the different tennis grips you should know about and the difference between each of them:

• Continental tennis grip – Use it for the volley, slice, overhead, and serve. The index knuckle and the heel pad should rest on bevel 2. The continental grip is done during a serve.

• Eastern forehand grip – Rest the heel pad and index knuckle on the third bevel. To find this grip easily, hold the racket at its throat with a non-playing hand, and use your playing hand to shake hands with it. The natural contact point is approximately at the waist. You should be able to hit the ball flat with the eastern forehead grip, but it may not let you produce much spin.

• Western forehand grip – The heel pad and index knuckle are on bevel five. It lets you hit with additional top spin, but it cannot hit the ball with speed.

• Semi-western forehand grip – The heel pad and index knuckle are on bevel four. Find the grip by placing the racket face flat on the ground, then pick it up. The contact point is between the shoulders and waist. The grip lets you hit with spin and speed, but it will not be faster than the eastern forehand or not as much spin as when you use a western forehand.

• Two-handed backhand – The right hand’s index knuckle is on bevel two and the heel pad is on the bevel one, and the left hand’s index knuckle and heel pad are on bevel seven. The right hand must be at the bottom, and the left hand on top.

• Eastern backhand grip – Place the heel pad and index knuckle on the first bevel. This grip provides more power, with minimal top spin.

• Extreme or semi-western backhand – The heel pad and index knuckle are on the eighth bevel. It can be difficult to master, but it lets you put more top spin and less power.

Best 5 Tennis Grand Slam Final Moments

Tennis Grand Slam tournaments are the four majors, which consists of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. These are some of the most important events in the world of tennis every year, although every tournament is played only in over a span of two weeks.  Every Grand Slam tournament has something exciting to offer to spectators and avid tennis fans alike. Here are the best five tennis Grand Slam final moments in no particular order:

1. Federer VS Nadal in Wimbledon 2008 Final – The match began with a long run of good play and consecutive wins for Nadal, yet it showed the best from Federer, too. Federer made six straight on Grand Slams and won four. He came out tight and dropped early breaks, losing the first two sets, then fighting it out in a tie match (2-2). The fourth set was a tiebreaker, which spanned for 20 minutes as both players unleashed their best shots under pressure.

2. Nadal VS Djokovic in the Australian Open Final in 2012 – Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s match was the longest and most exciting Grand Slam final. Djokovic’s brilliance and Nadal’s determination and will were showcased in every rally. The match was a record-breaking five hours and 53 minutes in Grand Slam history.

3. Federer VS Roddick in the 2009 Wimbledon Final – This entertaining and fight match was entertaining to watch. Roger Federer won, which served as his comeback after losing to Nadal the previous year.

4. Lendl VS John McEnroe in the 1984 French Open – This one is a classic, back when John McEnroe was at the height of his career. Both he and Ivan Lendl disliked each other, resulting in a thrilling match for spectators and fans. McEnroe played flawlessly for two sets, but Lendl was able to catch up, resulting in a 5-7.

5. Sampras VS Agassi in the 2001 US Open – This Grand Slam match went four straight sets with both players keeping up with their serves. Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi had different styles of play (i.e. one-handed backhand versus two-handed backhand, serve and volley versus power baseline.) and contrasting personalities, resulting in an entertaining match.

The History of Tennis

Tennis has been around for a much longer time than most people think. Many indicators show that prior to the development of tennis as a sport in England, it has already been played thousands of back—during the time of the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. Many crucial moments in the history of tennis have helped make the game what it is today. The rich history of tennis has also spurred the development of high-tech tennis equipment to make the game better and enable players to play safely.

‘Jeu de paume’ is the earliest recognizable variant of tennis and it was played in France in the eleventh century on a monastery courtyard. Sloping roofs and walls were used as courts, and the palm of the hand was used to hit the ball. By the late nineteenth century in England, lawn tennis became more popular than croquet. As a result, the All England Croquet Club started converting some croquet lawns into tennis courts. The popularity of tennis with amateur and recreational players certainly helped in its evolution. Courtyard playing venues were transformed into indoor courts, and the wooden balls became bouncier because of the use of different materials like leather and cellulose. In 1874, the rules and equipment were patented by Major Walter Wingfield for a game known as ‘sphairistike’. All these were later modified by the All England Club Croquet for its first tennis Wimbledon tournament in 1877.

By 1913, lawn tennis has already become popular around the world, with different national-level tennis associations working together to ensure a uniformly structured game. Twelve nations attended an international conference in Paris, and this gave birth to the International Lawn Tennis Federation. Tennis has always been part of the Olympics, but it was withdrawn in 1924 and returned only in 1988.

Tennis Serve Rules

Learning how to serve properly is crucial to becoming a better tennis player. In fact, many experts say that the serve is the most important shot in the game. In this blog, we discuss the most basic tennis serve rules for beginners.

• Where you should stand – The server begins every game by serving behind the right-hand court’s baseline. If you are the server, you need to make sure that the ball lands on the diagonally opposite service box. You need to stand between the center mark and the imaginary continuation of the sideline. Servers swap sides after every point.
  
  
• Faults – The server has two chances to make the ball go in. If it lands outside the service box or it is unable to clear the net post or net, it’s considered a fault. If the ball touches the line, the ball gets in. After a fault, you can try to serve again, but if it results in another fault, it becomes a double fault and your opponent gets the point.
  
  
• Foot fault – Servers must stand behind a baseline, between the sideline and center mark. If your feet touch the ground within the baseline, the wrong side of the imaginary sideline extension, or the wrong side of the center mark before striking the ball, then a ‘foot fault’ occurs and the point goes to your opponent.
  
  
• Let – A let occurs when the ball clips the net and bounces inside a service box. If it happens, you can serve again. If the ball hits the net and lands outside the service box, then it is a fault.
  

• Toss – You need to toss the ball in the air with your arm, not the racket. Moreover, you must hit the ball before it makes contact with the ground. You cannot walk or run when hitting your serve, but you can move with your feet, just not in front of the baseline.

Improving Your Game: The Fundamentals of Tennis

Do you want to improve your tennis game? Then you need to master the basics in order to build a solid foundation. Learning the fundamentals of tennis starts with understanding the game’s rules, regulations, as well as game play. Once you know all these, it’s time to tackle the physical fundamentals: strokes, footwork, physical conditioning and fitness, and equipment.

Strokes pertain to techniques you can use when striking the ball: the forehand groundstroke, backhand groundstroke, volleys, serves, and spins. Footwork covers proper (and safe) movement on court, as well as the ability to maintain proper balance at all times. Physical conditioning and fitness means developing strength, speed, flexibility, stamina, and agility. It also means improving your coordination and reaction time through regular practice. Working with a tennis coach is a good idea if you are serious about improving your performance in these areas. A coach can also recommend the right equipment (racket, strings, and tennis shoes) depending on your play style. 

The fundamentals of tennis go beyond the elements we have so far mentioned. You also need to learn psychological and mental fundamentals. These involve tactics and strategy—both of which pertain to your approach to playing the match while taking into account your weaknesses and strengths. With regular training, you will eventually develop the ability to make swift decisions.

‘Mental toughness’ also falls under the psychological and mental fundamentals of tennis. You need to train yourself to focus only on the things that are important in the moment—and in the case of tennis, this means the ball. Mental toughness likewise teaches you to be calm and determined in the dace of pressure. The best players in the world are experts at managing their nervousness. This focus and calmness helps them play extraordinarily well.

Difference Between Grass, Clay, and Synthetic Tennis Court

Did you know that the court surface used on the tennis court can significantly affect the way you play? There is a reason why Pete Sampras—who has won 14 major Grand Slams—has never won a grand slam on a clay court. In this blog, we discuss the remarkable differences between grass, clay, and synthetic tennis courts.

• Grass court – Wimbledon has popularized grass courts, and the surface is considered the fastest because it is slippery. Grass makes the ball bounce lower because of the soft soil. Likewise, a grass court may cause the ball to bounce unpredictably because of the slightly uneven and softer grass surface. Because of the characteristics of this type of court, the ball tends to move faster with lower bounce, making it ideal for net players and those who have a good serve.
  
  
• Clay court – The deep red hue is typically associated with French Open Championships. Clay courts are considered the slowest surface as it reduces the ball’s speed, minimizes the ball’s skid on the surface, and makes the ball bounce high. Hence, a clay courts reduces the speed of the ball that is hit by a hard-hitter as it slows the speed, so the opponent can return the shot easily. A clay court is typically ideal for baseline players and those who create a heavy spin.
  

• Synthetic court – Hard courts are made of concrete or asphalt, and they are easier to maintain. They allow the ball to travel at a speed that is slower than it would on a grass court, yet faster than it would on a clay court. Moreover, hard courts allow the ball to bounce high and more predictably. The International Tennis Federation considers the hard court a good surface for all kinds of tennis players, the U.S Open is played on hard courts.