Every year in late June and early July, thousands of people across Britain dust off their tennis rackets and head down to the public courts, inspired by the action of the Wimbledon Championships. During those two weeks of the year it can be almost impossible to secure a tennis court during daylight hours which can be frustrating for regular players like myself.
You can always spot these once-a-year tennis players a mile off; they are the ones who still have the manufacturer’s stencil branded on the strings (they just don’t play often enough to ever break a string and need to get them changed!).
That said, everyone has to start somewhere; so here are some tips to help make you look like, and play, like a pro!
[Photo by Matteo Bagattini]
1. Get the right racket
Buy your tennis racket from a proper tennis shop rather than a petrol station or toy shop! Look out for the top brand names; trust me they really do make the best rackets. It’s not a bad idea to base your choice around which famous tennis player you’re hoping to emulate. If you want to hit the ball fearsomely hard from the baseline then consider buying a Babolat (as used by Rafael Nadal). If you want touch and finesse to be part of your game, then a Wilson (as used by Roger Federer) is worth considering. Bear in mind that a racket with a large head will generate a lot of power without you having to swing too much, rackets with smaller heads will give less power but more control. The larger the racket head the easier it is to find the sweet spot – the point in the centre of the strings which will generate the most powerful and reliable hit.
2. Movement and footwork
Before you hit the ball you will have to get close enough to ensure that you get a decent hit. This is where footwork comes in. Your footwork preparation should start as your opponent is hitting the ball – this is your cue to jump up and land on the balls of your feet just as they complete their shot (a move which is known as the split-step). This will give you a spring platform so that you won’t have to run from a flat standing start to get the ball. After you have hit your shot try and recover your position so that you can stand on the centre of the baseline and not present too much of the ‘open’ court for your opponent to hit at.
3. The ground strokes
The ground strokes are your bread-and-butter baseline shots: the forehand and the backhand. Even the world’s best serve and volleyers have to play these shots sometimes. One of the biggest mistakes that beginners make is to just use their arms when playing a shot – this makes people look a bit like a Zombie from Michael Jackson’s Thriller video when they play. You really have to use your whole body weight when playing a shot – you might not be kicking the ball but a lot of your power will come from your legs and having a slight knee bend when you ‘address’ the ball will help with this.
4. Timing
When starting out it is a good idea to practice hitting the ball after it bounces and just as it starts to drop. You can get more spin on the ball if you hit the ball at this stage of its trajectory. Keep your eyes open and on the ball as you hit it and breathe out as you make contact – I don’t know why but this really helps with timing! And – as in other sports like snooker and football – always try and keep your head exaggeratedly still as you make contact.
5. Body weight
Just as you hit the ball try and put your weight on your front foot (the one furthest up court). If you’re a right hander hitting a forehand this will mean putting your weight on your left foot.
6. Standing position for the serve
Okay, so you’ve mastered the basics – it’s time to tackle the serve. When standing on the service line stand with your feet shoulder-width apart – this will help you get more of your body behind the shot.
7. The ball toss
When tossing up the ball, hold it on the ends of your fingers rather than throwing it from your palm. Using your fingertips will ensure a more consistent throw. Throw the ball just as your hand is at chin or nose-height and keep your throwing arm up in the air (as if trying to hail a cab) for as long as you can after you throw – this will help your balance. Throw the ball up at an angle so that if you didn’t hit the ball it would bounce near the crown of your head.
8. Hitting the serve
Keep your grip on the handle loose not tight. This will help you swing the racket towards the ball with a (powerful) knife throwing-style motion rather than a slower pushing motion. The Williams sisters used to practice throwing old tennis rackets the length of the court to perfect this style. Imitate the action of scratching your back with your racket face when the tossed ball is in mid-air to lengthen your swing and generate more effortless power.
9. Shot selection
If you’re trying to get into a rhythm then it’s a good practice to hit cross- court to allow yourself greater margin for error. Try to get the ball over the middle point of the net (this is the lowest point of the net). If you’re going to come in for a volley, approach the net at the same angle as you hit the ball – this will cut off the available angles for your opponent. Bend your knees as you volley and the point will be yours!
10. The smash
After a few months of play you should find that you are often at the net ready to conclude the point with a winning smash. When doing so approach the ball side-on and keep your non-hitting arm raised to ‘measure’ out the shot. Hitting a smash face-on is another of those beginners’ habits you want to get rid of early in your tennis career!
James Christie enjoys playing tennis all year around, not just during Wimbledon! He works as a freelance writer for Thomson Local.
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