Tennis Game

You are in love with the game of tennis and can not get enough of it. Starting off in school learning to play on basic gym equipment was the beginning-then in college you made sure that you took tennis as your required physical education classes.

The time has now come for you to get your own personal equipment and you want to get a tennis racket of your very own. To make a personal statement to everyone that you have come of age, are serious about this sport, and want to compete with your friends evenings and weekends.

What type of tennis racket are you going to purchase? They vary in length, weight, and head size, and you will need to figure out which one is the best for you. Think back to your beginnings playing this sport-what did you like or dislike about the different tennis rackets you used. This can be a starting point to begin narrowing down your choices.

A very important component for the tennis racket is the head size as the power behind your swings is directly affected. A larger head will give you with more power than a small head and also provides you with a larger hitting area making it a little easier to hit the ball. Generally speaking, a smaller racket head appeals to more accomplished players seeking more control, while larger rackets appeal to beginning and intermediate players seeking more power and a larger head.

They range in length from 27-29 inches with most people selecting the 27 inch ones. However, a longer handle provides more reach on ground strokes, adds leverage on serves, and slightly more power, than one with a standard length.

The weight has also been reduced making them lighter and easier to hold.
If you have friends or co-workers that also play, ask them about the type they use and why. They will enjoy talking to you about the sport and in providing you with information and advise. And, there is nothing more flattering than to ask someone for their opinion on a topic that they really enjoy and believe that they are an expert in.

Some of these people might even loan you some of their equipment so that you can try it out and find out whether or not you like it. No matter what your preference for a tennis racket is, you have to find the best one that meets your needs. This may even mean renting them and testing them out for a few games. This is probably the best way to have an opportunity to use many different types, styles, models and different manufacturers without spending a lot of money on ones that will just end up collecting dust in the closet.

Get out and play every weekend. The exercise is good, you will meet new people, and be out in the fresh air. This is much better than spending your weekend sitting in front of the television or going to the office to catch up on work.

Enjoy yourself, life is too short.

There are probably thousands of tennis tips, but here are 10 great ones that begin at the warm up and end at the match point.

Tennis tip #1
When you start your warm up before the match you first need to get used to the conditions and your feel and form for that day. It’s not realistic to expect that you’ll be feeling superbly well every day.

So check the conditions – windy, sunny, hot or something else and adapt your shots and tactics accordingly. Then check your feel for the ball and racquet, your general mood and look to improve on them.

Tennis tip #2
When you start the match you furthermore need to get used to your opponent’s play. Most of the players don’t play the same in the warm up as they do in the match. So you are very likely to see and feel new speeds and spins of the ball.

Don’t panic if you can’t adapt in the first minute. Your brain is getting the information, unless you’re too emotional. Remember previous matches, how you found your timing on returns or volleys or whatever caused problems at first.

Just watch the ball well and notice what is happening – are you late, too far, is the ball too high and then gradually adapt. Don’t force it – it will happen if you are relaxed.

Tennis tip #3
The most important shots which define how the point will be played are the serve and the return. If you have a weak serve and return, then you’ll be on defense the whole point.

A good serving tip is to first find your serve. Don’t blast your first serves in the match at your full power. Start at 75%, then increase the speed and see where is the best feeling and percentage of shots.

The same rule applies to returns – start with medium paced returns down the middle and then add speed and placement when the match progresses. The main goal of the return on the first serve is to get it back deep down the middle and on the second serve to make your opponent run – so preferably a cross court return.

Tennis tip #4
The game is obviously based on forehands and backhands – hence “groundstrokes”. You need to find them also when you start the match. Start with long cross courts 2-5 feet over the net and aim 5 feet from both side and baseline.

When you find good length, start utilizing short cross court and down the lines shots to make your opponent run.

Tennis tip #5
The same principle applies to volleys and overheads. It may take you 10 or 20 minutes before you play your first volley or overhead, so don’t expect a perfect shot. Or maybe you can expect it but don’t get too upset if it doesn’t happen.

Actually if you often play at the net you’re maybe aware of this fact: you need to develop the feel and timing for your volleys too. You might play a couple of poor volleys or overheads first but don’t let that discourage you.

You’re showing your opponent that you are not afraid to come to the net and you are also adapting to his shots. Imagine how good it will feel when you hit excellent volleys and overheads towards the end of the set.

Tennis tip #6
This is actually a summary of the above mentioned tips: first deal with the tennis game and conditions on a given day. And when you get reasonably comfortable with the tennis game and conditions, start thinking and dealing with your opponent. This is my primary tennis playing tip whenever I start the match.

Tennis tip #7
Now you are trying to figure out how to outplay your opponent. Ask your self – where are his weaknesses and where are his strengths? Look to exploit his weaknesses with your strengths and try to avoid your weakness against his/her strength.

It sounds so logical but in my experience I don’t see many players actually thinking logically on court. They are usually too emotional. You need to learn how to get out of emotional states quickly and start thinking smartly and positively for the next point.

Tennis tip #8
When you finally see what your opponent’s weaknesses are you must first check with yourself whether your level of play realistically allows you to play certain shots. If you your opponent moves very slowly towards the net, is you drop shot reliable enough to use it?

Don’t change your game too much or into areas that you don’t master. Adapt your game so it is very difficult for your opponent, but stay in your limits.

Tennis tip #9
If you did a good job using the above mentioned tips, you are now probably ahead in the match. This is one of the biggest traps in the game. You might try to defend the lead. You’ll start thinking: “I don’t want to lose this lead now.”

And since our brain does not understand the word NO, it hears: “I want to lose this lead now.” and it will help you do it.

Does this sound familiar? You need to think what you want: “I want to finish the set.” or “I want to extend the lead.”

Tennis tip #10
You are now at match point having played masterfully through the whole match. There are many mind traps here. See if you fall into one of them:

- If I miss this opportunity, I won’t get another one
- If I win this, it won’t be fair. He/she is actually a better player.
- I don’t want to make a double fault now.
- This is it. (and you make a historic event in your mind about one point in a tennis game)

If any of these thoughts enters your consciousness, smile at them, say: “Yeah, right.” and then play your match point decisively and with courage. Then go shake the hand of your opponent. :)

When playing tennis it is important to consider the grip. This is used to hold the tip of the racket from the frame.

You must find the correct size of tennis grip for your hand because you can damage your wrist if it is too small or cause hand strain if it is too big. To figure out what grip is the right size for you, take a tape measure and measure the hand you hold the racquet with.

The measurement you are looking for is the length between the middle of your palm to the tip of your ring finger. That is the finger next to your little finger. This length should be the same distance as the grip around the handle of the racquet. Young people will be less than four inches where as an average woman is about four and an eighth to four and three eighth inches. A man is about four and a half inches to four and three fourth inches.

This grip must be replaced when it wears smooth or begins to separate from the handle. It is best to change it often depending on how many times you play tennis a week. The type of grip recommended for your racquet can be found in the inside throat. There are two types of replacement tennis grips.

Those are “cushioned” and “firm”. The firm is made of high density calfskin, or cowhide leather. This is preferred by those players who want to feel the ball meet the racquet. If you want relief for your hand, you should choose the cushioned grip. However this choice makes it hard to feel the ball touch your racquet.

When your grip pores are clogged up by dirt or sweat, the grip becomes hard and at this time you can purchase an overgrip. Overgrips are temporary grips that should be replaced once for every five times you play tennis. They become gluey if not changed and this can affect your game. If you buy certain artificial overgrips they may be easier to clasp then the leather types.

Based on the adhesive used there are three types of overgrips available. “Soft” has less friction and causes less blistering but you have to grip it harder to stop it from twisting when hitting off center balls. “Tacky” can give a person a lot of blisters but it does prevent slippage and “Dry” has a flypaper feel, this gives a player a good grip but the stickiness can slow them down when they want to change the handle fast.

It is important to consider your tennis grip for power. It will help you reduce the amount of energy you extend hitting the ball into the opposing court thereby maintaining your stamina.