Which are the the biggest aspects of the game that you can incorporate into your tennis that would show a huge improvement to your game? Jean-Yves Aubone, a former ATP player and current coach, explains this in greater detail for the tennis beginner.
A tennis player is going to improve anytime they step on the court, but are they improving the areas that will have the biggest impact on their game?
There are an abundance of skills and shots a tennis player can work on, but not all of them influence your game equally.
If I had to pick 4 that would have the most immediate impact (once you’ve learned basic technique), it would be the following things:
Consistency
The biggest challenge most players face is keeping the ball in play, and being able to move their opponent around without hitting too many errors. If you can become a consistency machine, you’ll immediately have more success, and have the base required to be a great player.
To work on your consistency, start counting how many balls you can hit without missing in your warm up. Most people use the warm up to warm up their body and arms but fail to warm up their focus.
Take full advantage of this time. Engage your mind and try to keep the ball in play. Keep track of your record highs as well. Then every time you go out to play again, try to beat your record.
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Work on Your Serve
The serve is arguably the most boring shot to work on. Regardless, it’s the most important to work on. If you can’t make your serve, you can’t play a match. If you have a really weak serve, your opponent is going to put you on the defense right away.
For many players, the serve is the most anxious moment of the match. They’re so afraid of double faulting that they can’t serve at all.
Grab a basket, setup some targets, and dedicate 10-15 minutes of every practice to hitting serves. The targets are important because if you can place your serve to your opponents weakness, then you’ll start the point in a strong position.
So get out there and practice those serves! (and if you are a coach, you can also read my piece on the systematic approach to teaching a new tennis shot here)
Make Footwork One of the Best Things You Do
If you have perfect technique, but can’t get to the ball in a great position, your technique won’t matter. But if you have average technique, and you can get to the ball in a great position, then you have a better chance of hitting the ball well despite your limitations.
It’s definitely more tiring to move your feet well, but only at first. Your body, just like anything else that’s trained, will get used to it. Muscle memory will take over, your cardio will improve, and it will be easier to move your feet.
At the very least, split step every time your opponent is about to hit. Yes, EVERY TIME. If you can time your split step well, at least you’ll be able to springboard into the next shot.
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Coached Match Play
At the end of the day, tennis is a sport, and if you’re playing tennis, you’re competing. Whether it be at tournaments, leagues, or with your friends, you’re probably playing matches. Therefore, you need to develop match play skills. These skills are about more than just technique. They’re about:
Knowing how to use your strengths and hide your weaknesses.
Understanding what in your game breaks down under pressure so you can work on the appropriate things.
Learning proper in between point rituals so you’re keeping yourself calm instead of making yourself more nervous.
These skills are best learned by playing a practice match with another player and having your coach there. They can then talk you through situations as they’re happening in real time.
They’ll get your mind to think about the proper things, They’ll tell you what to do and at what point in the match to do it. And all of this will create the awareness you need so that when you’re playing on your own, you can coach yourself.
If you can master these four things, your tennis will improve faster than you could have ever imagined!
Author Info: J.Y. Aubone is a former professional tennis player, and coach of Reilly Opelka. He started the most personalized online tennis platform available AuboneTennis.com.