Ready to jazz up your doubles game? Then adopt the “St. Andrews Cross” strategy. It’s a great way to add some spice to your doubles play and really keep your opponents on their toes. Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun!
Want to know how to neutralize St. Andrews. The key to successfully countering this formation is flexibility, communication with your partner, and the ability to quickly adapt to the dynamics of the game.
Our concept of a “tennis toolbox” refers to the variety and range of shots a player has practiced, developed and can reliably execute during matches when under pressure.
Like a handyman’s toolbox equipped with different tools for specific tasks, a player’s toolbox contains different shots tailored for various situations on the court. This concept is crucial for competitive play, as it enables players to adapt their game to different opponents, court surfaces, and match conditions.
Click on the link to read more at our Tennis Tool Box page.
Just like any profession, tennis has its own specialized jargon and we do too!
We’ve developed our unique lingo to effectively convey and clarify complex concepts, making it simpler for others to grasp our teaching methods. Plus, we aim to inject some fun and enjoyment into the process along the way.
We’ve updated our Tennis Glossary page to include our own Lingo which explains the logic behind the jargon we use in teaching.
We’ve updated our Tennis Strategies page with the first in a series of Singles and Psychology strategies.
The Tennis Strategies page outlines the fundamental tennis singles, doubles and psychological strategies.
The page is still under construction until we complete explanations for each strategy in the future.
In yesterday’s Sunday session, it was reported Axel expressed her frustration for our “lift and carry” warm up drill.
So let’s dive a bit deeper into the WHY of our “lift and carry” technique, and why it’s CRITICAL to developing your game.
And combining various spins based on the ball’s height with “lift and carry” isn’t just smart; it’s a game-changer that adds more tools to your tool box, making you an even more formidable and strategic player.
Here’s how to develop your game with this nuanced approach:
1. Topspin Triumphs Above the Waist: When the ball is at or above waist height, unleash the power of topspin. This is your chance to create high-flying, deep shots that challenge your opponent and open up the court. It’s about using the height to your advantage, adding that extra spin that makes the ball dive into the court, pushing your opponent back and setting you up for the next shot.
2. Slice to Surprise Below the Waist: When the ball drops below waist height, that’s your cue to switch gears to a slice shot. This contrasting approach brings variety and unpredictability to your game. A well-executed deep slice keeps the ball low, forcing your opponent to adjust and often leading to awkward returns that you can attack! Plus, it’s a great way to mix up the pace, playing styles and keep your rival guessing.
Adding these various spins to “lift and carry” enhances your play in several ways:
– Enhanced Ball Control: Each type of spin requires precise racket head speed, angle, and timing. By becoming proficient in both, you refine your touch and control, allowing for more nuanced play and strategic placements.
– Tactical Versatility: Incorporating these strategies into your game plan adds more tools to your tool box. Whether you’re setting up a point with a deep topspin, playing a drop shot or making a net approach with a slice, you have more tools to construct points in your favor. It’s also particularly effective when changing court surfaces, from hard court to clay for example and developing a singles game.
– Builds Confidence on Court: Knowing when to use topspin or slice gives you a playbook for every situation. This confidence allows you to take control, whether you’re dictating the pace with a topspin drive or disrupting your opponent’s rhythm with a stealthy slice.
– Strategic Depth: This approach isn’t just about banging the ball; it’s about crafting points with purpose. By choosing the right spin for the right height, you’re thinking one step ahead, making it tougher for your opponent to predict your next move.
– Adaptability: Different situations call for different shots. By mastering both topspin and slice based on the ball’s height, you become a more adaptable player, capable of thriving in any scenario the match throws at you.
By blending “lift and carry” with the strategic use of various spins based on the ball’s height, you’re not just playing tennis; you’re playing smart tennis.
Be patient! Practice, practice, practice this approach, and watch as your game grows in complexity, making you a more complete, competitive, and unpredictable player on the court. Make every shot count and elevate your game to new heights!
Learn “lift and carry” to add more tools to your tool box.
Good luck,
Tennis Whisperer’24
Russian Daniil Medvedev recovered from two sets down to outlast Zverev, 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-5 6-3 in a gruelling semi-final and join Sinner in Sunday’s final.
“I was a little bit lost,” Medvedev admitted to Jim Courier when they were finally done, “but during the third set I started saying to myself that if I lose this match, I just want to be proud of myself. I want to fight until the end, fight for every point, and if I lose, I lose. And I managed to win, so I’m very proud.”
Medvedev has been sweating it out there for more than 20 hours, lost eight sets and twice recovered from two sets down. No-one has done that at the Australian Open since Pete Sampras in 1995. Small wonder Medvedev looked bedraggled when he was done. Then again, he always looks that way.
Quirky as ever, but less irascible, Medvedev at last has won fans and favour in this tournament. It’s been by design. He said he had decided between seasons to make a concerted effort to avoid aggravation – from opponents and crowds – and channel all his powers into his tennis.
“I want to play tennis. I want to be proud of myself. I want to fight. So could this help me win all of these matches? Possibly, yes. But I also don’t want to say yes one month ago I decided this and then suddenly I’m winning all these matches. Life is not that easy.
The first set could have been a chapter from Sun Tzu’s The Art Of War. Having played 18 times previously, it was as though they knew each other’s game so well that neither could surprise each other strategically. It made for an intriguing deadlock.
Medvedev used his patent return-of-serve tactic, standing so far behind the baseline that he was not so much receiving as fetching. In a manner, it worked.
In the second set, Zverev, though an inconsistent net player, decided to exploit all the space Medvedev was giving him by advancing on the net more often. It worked; two more breaks sped him to a 2-0 lead. Ordinarily, you might have expected Medvedev to have a Plan B up his own sleeve. Perhaps he did, but he was serving too poorly for it to matter. In the first two sets, Zverev broke him five times.
Back against the wall, Medvedev moved up the court, trying to crowd Zverev’s serve, doubling his few net approaches and retrieving spectacularly several times. It worked. At these closer quarters, Medvedev’s smarts told, though Zverev stayed with him to the tie-breaker.
Bit by bit, this grew into a saga. In the fourth set, Medvedev fashioned one break point with a perfect stop volley, another two points later with a pinpoint lob. Either would have led to him serving out the set.
But Zverev saved both with big serves, and then Medvedev appeared to have self-immolated when a double fault in the tie-breaker delivered Zverev’s seeming victory on a platter. But he didn’t take it, and in a cruel twist, Medvedev horribly framed a return of serve, only for it to plop over the net to send the match into a fifth set.
Five games into the fifth set, the match reached its last pass when a tiring Zverev netted a volley to fall two break points down. Sorely knowing the implications, the German belted his racquet into the offending net. Duly, he lost the game, and with it the last of his earlier momentum, and Medvedev won the mental game! Extraordinarily, having lost his serve five times in the first two sets, he was not broken again for the match.
“I would say this court is not my best court in terms of my performance and my actual self-esteem,” he said to Courier. “That’s why many times I had to dig deep during this tournament. So I’m gonna be the happiest man on the planet (if I win). But for this I need to play pretty well and win three sets on Sunday.”
Source: SMH
Please excuse any typos as this was sent from my iPhone
This week’s question comes from a visitor to the Australian Open in Melbourne. “Can you suggest one legged balance exercises to improve balance and ball watching similar to what I saw Alcaraz doing at the Australian Open?”
One-legged balance exercises combined with ball-catching are excellent for improving balance, coordination, and focus – all critical elements for high-level tennis performance. Here’s a routine inspired by the type of training you mentioned, often seen in professional players like Carlos Alcaraz:
For all these exercises, remember to switch legs to ensure balanced development. Start with shorter sessions and gradually increase the duration as your balance improves. These exercises are not only beneficial for your physical game but also enhance your mental focus and agility on the court.
Best of luck,
Rob
tenniswhisperer.com
This week’s question comes from a player at the Seaside Championships. “Isn’t it great to see Nadal is back. He’s such a fierce competitor. My question is, why does Nadal employ a short burst routine as part of his initial match preparation?
It’s no surprise that Nadal, known for his fierce competitiveness, incorporates a scientific approach into his routine. He kicks off his pre-match preparation with a three-minute, dynamic warm-up, a vital component for combating fatigue, reducing stress, and boosting spirits. This routine can work wonders if you’re feeling drained before stepping onto the tennis court.
According to Margaret Rice, a neurosurgery professor at N.Y.U. Grossman School of Medicine, engaging in this brisk activity elevates your heart rate, improving oxygen delivery to both muscles and brain. This surge in energy can leave you feeling more alert, possibly attributed to the release of dopamine triggered by the movement.
Beyond the immediate energy boost, a recent 2022 study involving 25,000 British adults revealed that just three minutes of vigorous daily movement can lead to a decreased risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease.
This research recommends beginning your day with an invigorating warm-up to jumpstart your energy levels. However, it also underscores its versatility, making it suitable for a quick three-minute pick-me-up during any break. Activities like shadow tennis swings, golf swings, boxing, and basketball shots—all designed to engage your major muscle groups—are highly effective.
At the end of those three minutes, take a moment to assess your experience. Is your heart rate elevated? Are you breathing deeply? Do you feel more energized, and has your mood improved?
It’s fantastic to witness Nadal’s return, and we certainly hope he remains injury-free for a while yet.
Best of luck,
Rob
tenniswhisperer.com
We’ve added a Tennis Strategies page.
Competitive tennis revolves around offensive tactics, aiming to exploit your opponent’s weaknesses, mistakes and court positioning.
Most tennis strategies rely on thinking about angles, distances, speeds, and chances of success. The other important aspects are your mental state, being patient, and staying focused even when the match gets intense.
The Tennis Strategies page outlines the fundamental tennis singles, doubles and psychological strategies.
The page is still under construction since each strategy will be explained in detail in the future.
We’ve added a Tennis Glossary page which includes playing styles.
Benefits of describing tennis playing styles when teaching include:
1. Personalized Coaching: Tailors instruction to match a player’s strengths and weaknesses based on their preferred style.
2. Strategy Planning: Helps in creating game plans and tactics that leverage a player’s strengths while addressing weaknesses.
3. Opponent Analysis: Enables analysis and preparation for opponents by anticipating their strategies and developing counter-strategies.
4. Versatility: Enhances adaptability to different opponents and situations, offering a competitive advantage.
5. Skill Development: Allows coaches to focus on specific skills aligned with a player’s style, like groundstroke consistency for baseline players.
6. Mental Preparation: Boosts confidence and mental toughness by aligning game plans with a player’s strengths.
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