Sometimes, the most brutal losses happen when you are up big, only to have it all come crashing down. Losses like these emphasize that every point is crucial, because if your opponents can gain momentum, they may ride it all the way to victory lane. A couple days ago, my doubles partner Ben and I played a […]
Continue readingWhen we change our technique, the goal is simple: to become proficient at it as quickly as possible. Yet many of us sabotage our progress by practicing technique in an environment which prevents us from focusing on the technique alone. We must understand that the type of environment in which we practice a skill dictates […]
Continue readingMost of us dread playing under pressure. It’s 5-all in the tiebreaker and doubts begin to creep into your mind. Your hands start sweating, you think about how badly you need to win the point, and you picture yourself double faulting to a chorus of boos and face-palms. This is how most people think before playing […]
Continue readingControlled aggression is the most effective way to win a tennis match. There are three main ways that tennis players attempt to defeat their opponents. Wait for opponent’s error Go for winners Controlled aggression What is Controlled Aggression? Controlled aggression means taking control of points by playing high-percentage tennis. This style of tennis differentiates itself from […]
Continue readingWhile reporting on the 2015 Citi Open for Tennisfiles, I had the privilege of watching some of the best tennis players in the world practice before their matches. I took several videos of Kei Nishikori, 2015 Citi Open champion, practicing his backhand, forehand, and serve. Check out the videos below and analyze Nishikori’s form, preparation, […]
Continue readingThe most effective and underutilized serve in doubles is the serve to the body. Serving to the body is optimal because returners have more trouble directing this serve where they wants it to go (i.e. away from the net player). If a serve is hit to the body, the player must quickly move out of the way and […]
Continue readingThe key statistic that wins tennis matches more than any other is second serve points won percentage. How do I know this? I’ve got the raw data to prove it. Take a look at the infographic I created below. The player who had the higher second serve points won percentage won 4 out of the last […]
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Preparing yourself for battle is key, and if you don’t do it the right way, you could be putting all your tennis training to waste. After thinking about my own experiences, observing other players, and hearing feedback from my coaches and parents, I compiled a list of 10 things to stop doing before a tennis […]
Continue readingBy: Windsor Tennis Club Belfast – CC BY 2.0 While I have had a successful career playing tennis, there are many things about the game that I wish I had known earlier in my career. I am going to share 15 mistakes that tennis players need to correct with you so that you can accelerate […]
Continue readingPhoto by: Nick Webb – CC BY 2.0 Have you ever felt like your tennis game has stagnated? You play matches and win the easy ones, but can’t seem to beat the same guy who you’ve lost to 6-4 6-4 for the 100th time in the past 3 years. And you haven’t improved that same old […]
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