Marty Smith has been the Director of Tennis for more than 20 years at the famed New York Athletic Club, the No. 1-rated athletic club in the United States. A native of Australia, he was a top five-ranked Australian junior players and was the two-time Southern Conference singles and doubles champion at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He graduated from UTC and also received his MBA at St. Thomas University in Miami. He is a resident of Pelham, NY.
Here are a sample of photos and summarized tips from Absolute Tennis
A strong and reliable stroke starts with establishing good balance - keeping your back reasonably straight, shoulders level, and head upright as you play the shot. (Chapter 1 - Balance)
Good balance helps you control the racquet and push more forcefully from the ground for increased power. (Chapter 1 - Balance)
Learn to move your arms in opposite directions and widen and narrow your stance to enhance your balance. (Chapter 1 - Balance)
Many strokes involve grounding one leg for stability and pivoting the other leg for balance. (Chapter 1 - Balance)
The kinetic chain reimagines the body as a system of chain links, whereby the energy generated by the legs is transferred and increased up the body, culminating in an end point power surge. (Chapter 2 - Kinetic Chain)
Using the kinetic chain correctly improves stroke power and consistency and reduces stress on the body. (Chapter 2 - Kinetic Chain)
Setting a wide, strong base allows you to maximize the kinetic chain's benefits. (Chapter 2 - Kinetic Chain)
You must be responsive to the circumstances and use the right amount of body movement during your swing. (Chapter 2 - Kinetic Chain)
A good split step quickens your reaction time and adds power to your first step. (Chapter 3 - Movement)
Following the split step, lower your body and lean and pivot your feet in the direction you need to move. (Chapter 3 - Movement)
The crossover step is an important movement to learn to speed your recovery back to the middle of the court. (Chapter 3 - Movement)
Control of the racquet should come mostly from the palm of the hand, not from excessive squeezing pressure of the fingers. (Chapter 4 - Grips)
The formula for kinetic energy results in the doubling of velocity(racquet speed) having a much larger effect on the energy delivered to the ball than doubling the mass. (Chapter 4 - Grips)
Because the continental grip is used on many shots it is important to learn - use ball tap exercises and the wall to master it. (Chapter 4 - Grips)
The platform serve is the favored stance at the recreational level. It has the advantages of simplicity as well as good body stability and leg push. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
The pinpoint serve is a common stance on the pro tour. It has the advantages of strong forward momentum and fast hip rotation. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
There are three main types of serving backswings (pendulum, waist-high, and abbreviated) and which one you choose depends largely on swing tempo and ball toss height. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
On the ball toss, the left hand moves down slightly, then lifts smoothly pointing towards the right net post before releasing the ball slightly above head level. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
Toss the ball about two feet above contact and forward into the court. This allows time for a full build up of energy in the legs and will tilt the body forward at contact for added power. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
In the trophy position, bend your knees and tilt your shoulders upward to create a body position that will spring you up and forward powerfully to the ball. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
Following the trophy position, the legs straighten, the hips rotate, and the elbow lifts as the racquet drops down the back. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
A deep racquet drop stretches the shoulder muscles, lengthens the swing, and lags the racquet to add power to the serve. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
Following the racquet drop, the hitting elbow continues to lift and the shoulders cartwheel to help maximize contact height. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
At the top of the serving swing, the edge of the racquet leads before the wrist pronates and squares up the strings to the ball at contact. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
The flat serve is important for delivering power, and the slice, slice-topspin, and kick serves add variety and consistency to your serve. Each serve requires a different ball toss location. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
The strings brush the ball in different ways to create the different serving spins. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
On the slice serve, the leading edge of the racquet moves toward the right post as the strings brush around the two o' clock part of the ball. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
The topspin on the kick serve is created by the racquet moving up from a horizontal(left) to 45 degree angle(right) at contact. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
The shoulders turn more to begin the kick serve(left) than on other serves(right). (Chapter 5 - Serve)
Think before serving on how you can keep your opponent off rhythm by mixing up the spin and placement on your serve, and aim to get at least 60% of your first serve in. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
The serve is a very important shot that should be given a high priority during your practice sessions. Use targets to improve your serving accuracy and practice responding to your opponents return of serve. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
Learn the four key stages of the serve - power position, racquet lag, body positioning at contact, and follow through. (Chapter 5 - Serve)
A good return serve begins with a strong split step and anticipating your opponent's serve through their ball toss location and body alignment. (Chapter 6 - Return of Serve)
When returning a fast serve, lower and shorten your backswing and make contact in front of the body. (Chapter 6 - Return of Serve)
When returning a fast serve, aiming the return deep down the middle of the court provides a big target for greater consistency and limits your opponent's angles. (Chapter 6 - Return of Serve)
Returning serve with the forehand on the deuce side and with the backhand on the ad side speeds up your recovery to the middle of the court. (Chapter 6 - Return of Serve)
On the return of serve, position yourself forward if adopting an aggressive strategy or move back if lengthening the point works in your favor. (Chapter 6 - Return of Serve)
For many recreational players, the second serve is the easiest ball received during the point so plan ahead and take full advantage of its helpful characteristics. (Chapter 6 - Return of Serve)
The return of serve is not just another groundstroke because the serve bounces higher, is usually faster, and can curve right or left and therefore is a shot that needs to be practiced diligently. (Chapter 6 - Return of Serve)
The first four shots, including the serve and return, are by far the most important segment of the point. You may think the rally is just getting started, but it is often already over. (Chapter 6 - Return of Serve)
A great forehand begins with good positioning, and to obtain this you must utilize the best stance for the circumstances and align your legs to provide balance and power in the least amount of time. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
The open stances are used when receiving high and fast balls and have the advantages of quick execution and strong power generated from the legs pushing from the ground and swiveling of the hips and shoulders. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
The semi open stance is used on balls received above the waist when positioned in the middle part of the court. It has the same advantages as the open stance but with superior forward momentum and hip rotation. It is the stance that complements the most devastating shot from the baseline - the inside forehand. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
The neutral stance is used on lower balls and it has the advantages simple weight transfer and straighter and longer racquet extension through contact. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
On the neutral stance, the front foot hits the ground a moment before contact to secure forward momentum while the back foot pivots to the right to allow the hips to rotate fluently and expedite the recovery process. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
Hop steps, where one foot pushes from the ground and hops through contact, while the other foot lifts in different directions to balance out the body, are used in various situations when time is limited. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
Begin the forehand by turning your body as a unit. That is, keeping your arms relatively still while pivoting your right foot, lifting your left heel, and turning your shoulders with your left hand holding the throat of the racquet. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
Keeping your non-dominant hand on the throat of the racquet during the unit turn helps turn the shoulders, set the grip, and guide the racquet into the correct swing path during the backswing. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
As the racquet goes back in a circular fashion, it should stay to the right or to the “outside”. When compared to longer "inside” backswings, the outside backswing speeds up execution and improves shot accuracy due to its straighter path to contact. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
At the end of the backswing establish the power position by loading the legs, straightening the left arm, and pointing the racquet towards the right side of the back fence with the strings above the wrist and facing down. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
Straightening the non-hitting arm in the power position provides counterpoint strength for the hitting arm and activates the oblique muscles preparing them for the hip rotation that follows. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
After establishing the power position, the hips rotate to lag the racquet and stretch the shoulder and arm muscles adding “sling shot” acceleration to the forward swing. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
Following the racquet lag, the racquet head drops below the ball and the racquet butt cap moves forward pointing towards the ball. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
After the racquet butt cap moves forward, the racquet head moves closer to the body and then away, or inside-to-outside to the contact point. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
It’s natural to think because the ball moves in linear fashion that the forehand should be a linear type swing. However to maximize kinesthetic power, the forehand swing should arc up on the backswing and then curve forward to meet the ball. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
As the racquet moves toward the ball the wrist moves forward to add racquet speed and square up the racquet face to the target. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
From a front view when hitting a topspin forehand, the racquet head should be at an eight o’clock angle and below the ball before making contact. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
The windshield wiper motion often sees the racquet rotate over 180 degrees. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
It is important to make contact in front of your body where your physical strength, swing momentum, and vision is best served. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
Great forehand players use good extension whereby their racquet drives “through” the ball and moves parallel to the target following contact. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
Keeping the head stationary at contact holds the chest still for a longer extension and straighter racquet path towards the target. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
On the flat forehand, the racquet finishes behind the head and the hitting elbow ends at shoulder height pointing towards the target. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
On the topspin forehand, the racquet fans across the body and finishes in a horizontal fashion below shoulder height. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
The inside forehand is the most dangerous shot from the baseline - it’s a stroke that players with powerful forehands should use frequently. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
There are five types of topspin forehands(arc, drive, loop, angle and kill) and having the ability to do all five allows players to use the most effective tactical response to a variety of different styled opponents. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
The slice forehand’s compact nature makes it is an important defensive shot on very wide and low balls. (Chapter 7 - Forehand)
The one-handed and two-handed backhands have different advantages and disadvantages and which one a player uses depends largely on degree of physical strength and natural proclivity. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
The different advantages of the one-handed and two-handed backhand raise an interesting question: could the game evolve such that we see some players begin to use the two-handed backhand to handle the speed of the serve on the return and then the extra racquet speed and variety of the one-handed backhand after the return? (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
The closed stance is the most powerful stance on the backhand because it creates a large, strong forward step and aligns the hips in a good position to swing the racquet in a powerful inside-outside path towards the ball. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
The cross court backhand(left) sees the front foot less turned and back foot less behind the body than on the down-the-line backhand(right). (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
To expedite the recovery process, swing the left foot around to finish level with the right foot while completing the follow through. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
For two-handed backhand players, sometimes the open stance is needed on the high or wide balls. The open stance technique sees the player planting the outside leg and transfering body weight to the inside leg as they swing the racquet. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
The banana backswing sees the player drop the hands below the waist before raising them again at the end of backswing. This backswing has the advantages of efficiency and good topspin. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
The loop backswing sees the player circling the racquet back into the power position. This backswing generates power through a long movement of the arms and hips and produces a flatter shot than the banana backswing. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
Ground the right foot at the end of the backswing to secure the forward momentum and then swing the racquet forward from low-to-high. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
At contact, keep the head still, shoulders level, and hit the ball in front of the body. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
Immediately following contact, the left arm straightens and the racquet continues to move forward parallel to the target. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
The one-handed topspin backhand begins with the shoulders turning, the elbows bent and relaxed, and the racquet head tilted up. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
At the end of the backswing, the right foot secures the forward momentum and the hitting arm straightens and stays close to the body. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
Keeping the elbow low and close to the body produces a powerful inside-to-outside swing and helps add topspin to the stroke. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
Make contact well in front of the body with the head still and keep the racquet moving forward parallel to the target well after contact. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
The best one-handed backhands are long sweeping motions where the hitting arm finishes the stroke high and fully extended. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
Unlike the topspin backhand, a good slice backhand can still be hit well with little to no forward momentum making it an essential defensive shot. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
The slice backhand begins by turning shoulders and setting the racquet face open and positioned around head-high. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
Drive the racquet forward with the shoulder by straightening the arm and keeping the wrist firm. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
The racquet face that was open on the backswing, squares up for contact. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
On the slice backhand the racquet follows a hammock-shaped path - don’t chop down too sharply on the ball. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
Finish the slice backhand with the left arm behind the body and the racquet open, shoulder-high, and pointing towards the target. (Chapter 8 - Backhand)
The drop shot can prey on an opponent’s movement as well as draw a defensive baseline player out of their comfort zone and up to the net. (Chapter 9 - Drop Shot and Lob)
The drop shot should be played with a light forward step and a short, sharp downward swing. (Chapter 9 - Drop Shot and Lob)
The drop shot is best hit when you receive a waist-to-chest high ball while positioned around the service line area of the court. (Chapter 9 - Drop Shot and Lob)
Besides presenting your opponent with a difficult overhead or a scramble to run the ball down, good lobbing can also lead to less aggressive net positioning from your opponent. (Chapter 9 - Drop Shot and Lob)
The height of the lob will depend on the situation. If positioned very wide of the court, the high lob will allow time to recover. (Chapter 9 - Drop Shot and Lob)
The slice approach shot can be performed quickly so it often makes sense when time is limited. (Chapter 10 - Approach Shot)
The approach shot should be hit deep and to the opponent’s weaker groundstroke or to the side that forces your opponent to run the greatest distance. (Chapter 10 - Approach Shot)
The forward hop step is often used on the approach shot to speed a players movement to the net. (Chapter 10 - Approach Shot)
When attacking the net, establish positioning in the mid-point of your opponents passing shot angles by favoring the approach shots side of the court. (Chapter 10 - Approach Shot)
Playing the net is an adrenalized and athletic situation where winning or losing the point can happen in an instant. Your mentality at net must reflect this and playing volleys should be executed with a fiesty and assertive attitude. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
In the ready position at net, lower your body, establish a wide stance, and keep your hands up and well in front of the body. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
Due to the limited time at net, the continental grip should be used on both the forehand and backhand volleys. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
The legs play a crucial role in providing the power, balance, and court positioning for winning at the net. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
Widening the stance and bending the knees on low volleys will help the shoulders stay level and and head upright for better racquet control. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
Following the split step, pivot the right foot to assist fast movement to the right to play a forehand volley. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
On most volleys the front foot should land an instant after making contact with the ball. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
There are three main steps with the front foot on the volley - straight(left), lunge(middle), and away(right). (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
On the forehand volley, prepare for the shot by making a U-shape formation with the racquet and arm. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
Laying the wrist back on the forehand volley creates a position of leverage whereby a small movement of the wrist results in a large movement of the racquet head. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
On the forehand volley, open and set the racquet above the ball and move it forward on a gentle high-to-low gradient. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
After contact finish with the racquet on the side of the body and facing roughly parallel to the target. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
On most backhand volleys, the racquet head should line up level with the left shoulder at the end of the backswing. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
On the backhand volley, set the racquet head above the ball with the elbow slightly bent and then straighten the elbow as the racquet moves forward to meet the ball. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
It's important to make contact in front of the body on the backhand volley. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
The left arm moves backwards for balance and helps the racquet move in a straight path towards the target. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
The swinging volley uses a regular groundstroke swing and is typically hit from the middle of the court when receiving a high, slow moving ball. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
The control needed for a drop volley necessitates a technique in which the racquet moves very little making the wrist the primary body link on this shot. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
Like the drop shot, the drop volley should be played when you have a reasonable amount of time and good balance. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
On the half volley, lower the body, place the racquet behind the expected bounce of the ball, and use a short, low-to-high swing. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
On the overhead, try to position yourself deep enough in the court to ensure you can push off the back foot and transfer your body weight forward into the shot. (Chapter 11 - Volleys)
If the forehand is a physically stronger motion and permits a longer reach when compared to the backhand, could replacing the backhand with a forehand done by the non-dominant arm be a common method of play in the future? (Chapter 12 - Future Strokes)
For dual forehand players I recommend the overlapping grip which allows each hand to start low in the grip for added power and reach when using this method of play. (Chapter 12 - Future Strokes)
The key to learning a motor skill well, especially a new one, is to slow things down and increase the difficulty gradually. (Chapter 12 - Future Strokes)
The reverse serve sees the player brushing the left side of the ball creating a left-handed type spin for right-handed players making their serve more dangerous and unpredictable. (Chapter 12 - Future Strokes)
The step forward by the front foot during the backswing of the volleyball serve adds power and raises the contact point on the serve. (Chapter 12 - Future Strokes)
Drawing the correct strategic conclusions during a match requires not only a thorough knowledge of tennis, but also an awareness of your strengths and weaknesses and being observant to those same qualities in your opponent. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
To shift sensibly between the offensive, neutral, and defensive phases you sometimes need to be patient and resolute while at other times alert and ready to pounce. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
The inside-out forehand is a key shot when looking to take charge of the point in the offensive phase. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
During the neutral phase mixing up the spin, speed, and height of shot to disrupt the opponent's timing should be a prime focus. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
The purpose of your shot will vary depending on your court positioning. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
If your opponent is scrambling, move forward to steal time and rush them on their next shot. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
When receiving a high ball during a baseline rally, it often makes sense to drop back and hit the ball at a more comfortable height. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
After hitting a cross court shot, position yourself slightly on the same side as where you hit the ball from. This will place you in the midpoint of your opponent’s angles. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
Recreational players, like champion players, must develop shot patterns that make best use of their strongest strokes. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
Every opponent has a favorite side to hit their groundstrokes; use this knowledge to help “funnel” the rally into a shot pattern you enjoy. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
Due to it’s shorter distance, the down-the-line groundstroke can be an effective offensive shot when positioned inside the baseline. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
To reduce errors, play with good net clearance and hit well inside the sidelines especially if you are not controlling the point. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
Hitting deep gives your opponent less time to set up for their shots increasing the likelihood they will mistime their swing and make an error. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
If you can execute a game plan that gives you a small edge, you should win. Winning 55% of the points allows you to win 99% of the time. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
Sit down with a pen and paper and write out your strengths and weaknesses. It is only through self-awareness that you can know how to play your matches intelligently. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
Attacking the net can be an effective tactic against a defensive player. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
Hitting slice groundstrokes to a power hitter lowers their strike zone and reduces their speed of shot. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
The frequent use of the inside forehand has made the down-the-line backhand an important shot in the modern era. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
Champion players have a keen sensitivity to all the objective variables(court speed, weather) and subjective variables(emotions, confidence) a tennis match brings. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
Attacking an opponent’s weak shot repeatedly will go one of two ways; the stroke will crumble or the repetition will help it. You must decide whether it is best to stay relentless or mix up your shots more. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
Play practice matches against a variety of playing styles, including aggressive net rushers, all-court players, and defensive baseline players. Mixing up your style of opponent will help you learn what shot patterns work best against different types of players. (Chapter 13 - Singles Strategy)
Serving down the center line towards the “T” is great way to get your partner at net involved in the point. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Mix up the placement and spin on your serve to keep your opponent off rhythm and aim to get a very high percentage of your first serves in. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Talk with your partner about where you are going to serve so they can be ready to shift to the best position to react to the opponents return. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Your serve’s location will influence where to split step(see SS1 and SS2) when you serve and volley. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
A set of doubles is played in four game rotations; at the end of each game, players change their role and responsibilities. The more you and your partner do each of your “jobs” well, the more likely you will perform as a cohesive and successful team. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
The server's partner at net should be in motion and moving forward immediately after hearing the serve being struck. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
The “I” formation can cause problems for opponents on their return because they don’t know which way the net player will move after the serve. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
The compact nature of the slice backhand swing makes it good doubles shot to use on the return serve before attacking the net. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
The receiver's partner should be facing the opposing net player. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
If your partner hits a good return, move forward and look to intercept your opponents defensive reply. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
If your partner attempts a down-the-line shot, shift to the middle of the court to cover your opponents shot through the center. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
With the receiver’s partner positioned at the baseline(right background), the serving team doesn’t have an easy target to volley through. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
When playing the net as a team follow the ball right and left to best cover your opponent’s angles. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Moving forward off the baseline to establish the net as a team places pressure on the opposing to hit the ball lower and faster. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Have your weight forward as you split step at net and be ready to move forward to hit the volley. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
If you sense your opponents are in trouble or rushed on their shot, move forward and look to attack their reply as close to the net as possible. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Following a defensive volley, shift backwards and prepare to defend against your opponent’s aggressive shot. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
The staggered formation at the net(foreground) leads to more aggressive poaching, improved lob coverage, and better communication on balls hit down the middle. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
During the cross court rally the server’s partner(SP) should move to the left when the ball is hit to the left(R1) and move right when the ball is hit to the middle of the court(R2). (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
If you sense your partner at the baseline is in trouble, look back to see the quality and placement of their shot. This will help you get a head start on your next court positioning move. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
When the returner (R) moves forward from “A” to “B”, the server’s partner (SP) should move backwards from “A” to “B”. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Poaching is a great way to hit winning volleys and disarm opponents by forcing them to hit their shots lower, faster, and wider to avoid a poaching net player. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
The deeper player must communicate and direct their poaching team mate to either stay or switch to the other side court. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Forward diagonal movement reduces the time available for your opponents to react to your shot, allows you to hit the ball at a greater height, and creates better angles. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Hitting the poached shot towards the opposing net player gives that player very little time to respond to your shot. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Hitting the ball low(left) through the middle of the court(center), or at the body(right) are three effective shots against the opposing team both at net. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
When playing the net, the area behind the opposing net player represents a prime location(or “gold mine”) to hit winners. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Low volleys should be placed away from the opposing net player and to the deeper-positioned doubles opponent. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Unless the opponents lob is very deep, overheads should be directed to the closer opponent’s side of the court. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Attacking the net produces pressure and rhythm of play that defensive doubles teams often dislike. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
If you are playing with a weaker partner, take more chances with your poaching and look to dominate the middle of the court. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Discussing strategy before the point leads to quicker court position shifts and more assertive shot decisions. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Always stay positive when talking with your partner and convey through your body language that you are excited and eager to play. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Which side of the court you decide to receive serve in doubles depends partly on which direction you prefer to hit your strongest groundstroke. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
Good doubles partners share the blame and deflect the praise. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
If you get along well with your doubles partner, you will practice together more and understand each other’s game better. (Chapter 14 - Doubles Strategy)
In tennis you need to be both mentally strong to stay determined and mentally positive so you compete in an emotionally elevated and energetic manner. (Chapter 15 - Psychology)
The messages spoken by your inner voice are energy impulses that affect how your brain processes the match. You can be winning but feel flat, or you can be losing but still be energized, all by the messages sent through the mind. (Chapter 15 - Psychology)
Train yourself so that when a negative thought enters your mind, you recognize it, dismiss it, and replace it with a positive thought. (Chapter 15 - Psychology)
Rituals such as straightening your strings can relax and clear the mind after a frustrating point. (Chapter 15 - Psychology)
Dwelling on your previously missed shot only reinforces that mistake in your mind and increases the likelihood of making the same mistake again. (Chapter 15 - Psychology)
Focus on the process, not the result. Agassi once wrote, “Freed from the thoughts of winning, I instantly play better. My shots become a half-second quicker, my decisions become the product of instinct rather than logic.” (Chapter 15 - Psychology)
Arthur Ashe once said, “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” (Chapter 15 - Psychology)
Anxiety’s effect on your level of play is largely based on your perception. Embrace a mind set that you are lucky to be healthy playing a sport you enjoy, and view your tennis career as an evolving process of learning, adventure, and self-discovery. (Chapter 15 - Psychology)
Ironically, it is by letting go slightly that your nerves recede and you play better. You will play your best when you trust your swing and have the confidence that your body will do the right thing. (Chapter 15 - Psychology)
When things are not going your way take a five second pause and walk away from the action. A step back can help you see a problem from a new perspective and increase your ability to control your emotions. (Chapter 15 - Psychology)
Acknowledging an opponents good shot will help you put the point behind you and keep you mind in a positive state. (Chapter 15 - Psychology)
In a pressured situation, a smile can help you defuse negative feelings and keep your energy level elevated. (Chapter 15 - Psychology)
Tennis is a uniquely athletic sport and fitness underpins every aspect of the game. (Chapter 16 - Fitness)
There have been many examples on the pro tour of players devoting themselves to fitness and seeing their best results quickly follow. (Chapter 16 - Fitness)
Improving your flexibility will add power to your stroke and improve your balance on difficult wide and low balls. (Chapter 16 - Fitness)
Flexibility reduces the likelihood of muscle tears and pulls by lengthening the muscles and providing a good framework for strengthening the joints of the body that experience extreme motions. (Chapter 16 - Fitness)
Stretching after your match or practice sessions will reduce inflammation and leave you feeling less sore and stiff the following day. (Chapter 16 - Fitness)
In tennis, you must be agile to stop and start quickly after moving in a variety of directions all while maintaining balance to hit the ball effectively. (Chapter 16 - Fitness)
Improving foot speed will extend more points and increase the time you have to set up for the stroke leading to more powerful and accurate shot making. (Chapter 16 - Fitness)
Strengthening the core muscles will add power to your strokes and improve your movement to the ball as well as speed up the recovery process. (Chapter 16 - Fitness)
Resistance band exercises are low impact, good for warming up the muscles, and can be easily used to mimic the tennis strokes. (Chapter 16 - Fitness)
Superior cardiovascular endurance allows the body to recover quickly and be ready for the next point. (Chapter 16 - Fitness)
Eating and drinking correctly can mean the difference between feeling strong and energetic for the entire match or feeling sluggish throughout and faltering at the end. (Chapter 16 - Fitness)