Reach the Next Level
Alejandra Gutierrez strikes a serve in midair while playing a match in Monastir, Tunisia. Simon Cuell. TennCom Media 2021.
Tennis is a complex sport in itself, we have all been “stuck” on the endless cycle of lesson after lesson, not seemingly being able to reach the level we want. Am I really getting better? After all the hours on court, how do I execute my shots correctly and win? How can I prove myself on court and step up the ladder? Can I challenge myself with players on a level up? This article will help you restructure your lessons to use your best qualities and win more points. Where do we start?
We all have different qualities that allow us to play the game: you might be a powerful striker, a wizard with magic hands, an athlete with high endurance, 6’4 or 5’3. Whatever your qualities are, you play the game in a way that best suits you. So to reach the next level of your game you first want to think, what do I like to do and what do I do well. Consequently you might become more aware of where you are losing points.
To identify your style you need to go out and play. If the last time you played was 2010 maybe your definition of game style has shifted. Go out, play, and keep an eye on where you are winning points: is it serving, returning, rallying, attacking, defending? This is a good way to understand what you are doing well without locking into the “known tennis styles”; serve & volley, pusher, power baseline, etc.
When you have determined what you do well or what you know you can do better; “I set up the point well by moving my opponent but at the time of finishing them off I choke.” The next step is to determine if your success could improve through quality or quantity. This is where coaches and videos come in to help. To reach the next level and get the best out of your lessons you bring specific problems to your coach, the more detailed the better, and together you will do the rest.
Last but not least, you need to put in the time into improving the quality or the consistency of those shots that win you points. If you work on a more consistent first serve that puts you up 45-15 ton every serving game, the probability of winning improves significantly.
You don’t have to listen to me, but if you do; 1. Make notes on what part of your game is your strong suit (serve, return, rally, attack, defence). 2. From your picks you can win more points by improving the quality or quantity of the shot(s). 3. Work with your coach or search for teaching points that will increase quality and/or consistency. 4. Go and practice, and play and have fun.
