Archive for category: Ask the Pro

The Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) has gained widespread use as a ranking system for players at all levels, including juniors. While it offers a global platform for tracking performance, it also presents challenges that may negatively impact the development of young players.

Here’s why UTRs are counterproductive for junior tennis development:

1. Shifts Focus from Development to Winning

UTR often encourages players to prioritize winning matches over improving their overall game. To protect or boost their ratings, juniors may shy away from working on weaker areas and instead focus on strategies that yield immediate results. This short-term mindset can hinder the long-term growth needed to develop into a complete player.

2. Selective Competition and Match Avoidance

Some juniors strategically avoid playing against opponents with lower UTRs to prevent a drop in their rating. This results in fewer competitive opportunities and less match experience. By limiting who they compete against, young players miss out on valuable learning moments and the chance to adapt to different styles of play.

3. Increased Pressure and Burnout

UTR can create unnecessary pressure on juniors to consistently perform at a high level to maintain or improve their rating. This constant need for high performance may lead to anxiety, stress, and even burnout. Tennis at the junior level should be about development and enjoyment, not about feeling like every match is a high-stakes rating game.

4. Winning Over Skill Development

To maximize their UTR, juniors may rely on winning rather than focusing on building a well-rounded skill set. This early emphasis on results can lead to over-reliance on specific strategies, like heavy baseline play or big serves, at the expense of mastering other important aspects of the game, such as net play, variety in shot selection, and mental toughness.

5. Overemphasis on Rankings at a Young Age

UTR puts rankings front and center, which can cause players, parents, and coaches to fixate on ratings rather than on actual progress. Development is not a straight line—there will be setbacks and breakthroughs. Focusing too much on rankings overlooks the importance of long-term growth, resilience, and skill acquisition that doesn’t always reflect immediately in match outcomes.

6. Discourages Late Developers and Young Players

Juniors who are just starting to compete may struggle with a low UTR, making it difficult to participate in higher-level events. This can demotivate players who might otherwise flourish, particularly those who develop later. It can create a discouraging environment for young players if they feel their rating limits their opportunities.

7. Stifles Match Experimentation

To truly develop, juniors need to experiment with different strategies and techniques during matches. However, the fear of losing UTR points can lead players to adopt a cautious, risk-averse style of play, limiting their tactical and technical growth. Matches should be seen as opportunities for learning and development, not just preserving a ranking.

While UTR offers a structured rating system, its application in junior tennis can create an environment focused more on results than on growth.

For young players, the emphasis MUST be on improving skills, gaining experience, and enjoying the process.

Tennis is a long journey, and juniors need the freedom to experiment, take risks, and develop at their own pace—without the constant pressure of protecting a rating.

Reducing the focus on UTR in junior tennis could foster a more supportive and balanced approach to long-term player development.

Dealing with an opponent who consistently cheats can be extremely frustrating, but it’s important to keep your cool and stay focused on your game.

Bottom line: Don’t let the cheater win by throwing you off your game. Keep your head, stay focused, and remember—you’re stronger than their attempts to cheat!

Here are some ways to handle the situation without letting it ruin your performance:

1. Stay Calm and Control Your Emotions

Cheating can get under your skin, but losing your temper only helps your opponent. Take deep breaths (4-7-8 breathing) , stick to your routines between points, and focus on what you can control—your game, your effort, and your mindset. When you keep your emotions in check, you maintain your ability to think clearly and play your best tennis.

2. Use Sportsmanship to Your Advantage

Politely question the calls in a calm, respectful way. You could say something like, “Are you sure about that call?” Often, this can make the opponent think twice before making another unfair call. If they continue, calmly request a line judge or umpire if it’s a tournament or match that allows it.

3. Don’t Let Their Cheating Affect Your Game

The cheater is trying to distract you and take you out of your game. Don’t give them the satisfaction of losing focus. Stick to your strategy, keep hitting your shots, and play smart. Remember, they’re cheating because they don’t trust their game enough to beat you fairly.

4. Play Aggressively and Take Charge

Cheating is easier when points are close. By being more aggressive and dominating the points, you leave less room for your opponent to make unfair calls. Focus on winning points decisively—force clear errors and hit winners that your opponent can’t dispute.

5. Focus on the Big Picture

Yes, cheating is frustrating, but remember that you’re not just playing to win this match—you’re playing to improve your skills and mental toughness. Cheaters come and go, but the ability to stay composed under pressure will help you in every match you play — you are developing a life skill. Use this experience to build mental strength, knowing that you can rise above the frustration.

6. Seek Help When Necessary

If the cheating persists and there are officials present, don’t hesitate to ask for help. You can request a referee or umpire to monitor the match. If there’s no official available, calmly bring the situation to the attention of a coach or tournament director after the match.

Stay strong and don’t let the cheater throw you off your game. Keep your cool, stay focused, and remember—you’re more smarter then their mind games!

Check back later for another post on “Mind Games”.

In competitive tennis, approaching the net and finishing points with volleys is a highly effective strategy, especially when executed with precision and awareness.

The Four Primary Ways to approach the net involve different techniques and situations depending on the type of ball you receive and your opponent’s court position. Here’s how you can use each of these approaches in your game to maximize your chances of success at the net:

1. Approach Off a Short Ball

This is perhaps the most common way to move forward, especially against a defensive or consistent baseline opponent. A short ball invites you to step inside the court, ideally into the mid-court area (beyond the ghost line). The key here is to hit an aggressive shot (either a drive or slice) that is deep enough to push your opponent back or to the sides. Your goal is to limit their options and set yourself up for an easier volley.

Key points:
– Move forward quickly after recognizing the short ball.
– Hit a deep, attacking approach shot, targeting your opponent’s weaker side or creating an angle. Deep slice preferred to keep the ball out of the “Western” hitting zone.
– Transition seamlessly into a balanced volley-ready position around the St Andrews court position.
– Expect either a pass or lob, depending on the depth of your shot.

2. Serve and Volley

This is a classic aggressive play that can be used on faster surfaces or if your serve puts your opponent under pressure. After serving, you charge the net, aiming to finish the point with a quick volley. This approach works especially well against opponents who struggle with handling fast serves or return serves weakly. Very effective if you are a leftie serving to add court.

Key points:
– Serve with variety: mix between flat, slice, or kick serves depending on the surface and opponent.
– Immediately move forward after the serve, maintaining good posture and speed.
– Make a cross-over step just before your opponent returns to be ready for the volley to stay on balance.
– Aim for a deep first volley that keeps the opponent on defense, then close in for the finishing volley.

3. Chip and Charge

A chip-and-charge approach works especially well against aggressive baseline players. Instead of driving the ball hard, you hit a slice or low, skidding shot and move forward quickly behind it. The backspin and lower bounce of the slice make it difficult for the opponent to generate power, giving you time to position yourself at the net.

Key points:
– Hit a low, penetrating slice that forces the opponent to hit up, giving you easier volleys.
– Move in rapidly and prepare for a low volley.
– This works particularly well against players with long swings who struggle with low balls or don’t have a reliable passing shot.

4. Lob Retrieval Approach

When you are defending and are pushed back by a lob or deep shot, you can still turn defense into offense by approaching the net. After retrieving the lob or defending a deep ball, hit a high, aggressive deep shot or a deep slice, and then charge forward.

Key points:
– Use this approach when your opponent has been pulled wide or out of position, or if they are weaker at passing shots.
– Hitting a high ball with topspin or a deep slice forces your opponent to deal with awkward bounces or high balls.
– Move forward immediately to the net after your shot, covering the most likely angles for a passing shot or lob.

Final Tips

– Footwork and balance are critical in all these approaches (just like in ground strokes), especially when you have to close the net quickly after an aggressive shot. Transition steps and cross-over steps will keep you agile and balanced.

– Anticipation is key. You should always be aware of your opponent’s likely responses based on their position and shot-making abilities. Knowing whether to expect a lob, pass, or weak reply will help you position yourself better for the volley.

Mastering these four approaches allows you to transition from defense to offense smoothly, apply constant pressure, and dominate points at the net. A great balance between anticipation, footwork, and the right shot selection will give you the edge you need.