Have you ever felt that your tennis game has started to stagnate? Even though you’ve been playing well and winning the easy ones, you still can’t beat the guy who has been beating you in the past three years? You still haven’t improved your weak backhand or inconsistent serve, even though you’re practicing five times a week?
If you struggle with some basic tennis skills, these quick tips will help you improve. Although there is no one-size-fits-all technique for playing tennis, these tips can help you develop a few fundamentals that will allow you to improve.
Exaggerate Your Follow Through
Regardless of your sport, improving can be done by following through with your actions when you get nervous. You should also avoid thinking about just hitting the ball.
Focus on Footwork
Many people blame their poor stroke technique for missing shots. The most common reason for these misses is when a player is not in a good position to hit the ball. If I’m in a perfect position to hit the ball, I will make more shots than the guy who is just trying to get a hold of the ball.
A player who gets out of position will most likely not be able to hit the ball in the strike zone. They will also lose control of their shot. Try doing some footwork drills after a practice session to improve their footwork. They should be getting to the ball quickly and efficiently during a match.
Pay Attention to Your Opponent
Like other competitions, playing against opponents requires a strategy to defeat them. Before the match begins, identify your opponent’s weaknesses and strengths. This will help you develop a game plan to beat them. During the warm-up, try hitting different shots, such as a slice, a high ball, a slow shot, and a hard shot.
If the warm-up doesn’t allow you enough time to practice, try mixing things up in the match’s early stages to find ways to win points. Keep track of your opponent’s patterns and tendencies.
Watch the Ball
One of the most important factors a player can consider when improving their serve is keeping track of the ball. This will allow them to make better decisions regarding their shots. For instance, keep your eyes focused on the ball as it moves across the court during a rally.
Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself
Being overcritical can be easy, especially when missing an easy shot in a tournament. Instead, focus on moving on and improving as quickly as possible. Following a missed shot can be an opportunity to improve and practice one’s stroke.