Why Is My Game So Inconsistent, Especially as I Get Older?

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A question we hear often is why performance can vary so much—especially as we age.

What’s the common thread amid changing conditions, fresh tennis balls, and different opponent styles? It’s your ability to watch the ball. In fact, research shows that 90% of errors result from players not tracking the ball effectively.

The good news? It’s never too late (or too early) to refine your ball-watching skills. Here are a few essential tips to help you focus better and stabilize your performance.

1. Identify Your Dominant Eye

Most players have a dominant eye that influences shot preference, often favoring the forehand side. Knowing which eye is dominant can help you understand tendencies in your game. How do you determine eye dominance? Try this: extend your arm, make a small circle with your fingers, and focus on a distant object through the circle. Close one eye at a time; the eye that keeps the object centered is your dominant eye.

2. Align for Better Tracking

To minimize the effects of eye dominance, position yourself at a right angle to the incoming ball’s direction, particularly on returns and volleys. If you watch players like the pros,  you’ll notice how they adjust their return positions depending on whether they’re on the forehand or backhand side.

3. Move Your Eyes, Not Your Head

Shifting your head to track the ball can delay shot preparation, causing rushed or off-balance strokes. Train yourself to track the ball with your eyes, keeping your head steady to save valuable milliseconds in your setup.

4. Hit the Ball in Front

Striking the ball in front of your body allows you to keep your head steady and limits the need for last-second adjustments, reducing the likelihood of late hits—especially on your non-dominant side. Lefties, for example, often struggle with weaker backhands for this very reason.

These foundational tips are your “Ball Watching 101.” Start incorporating them to play more consistently and with greater control.

Learn more –>

Game Changers: How Court Surfaces Impact Your Playing Style

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One of the Men’s Championship finalists commented that the synthetic grass courts at Manly felt tougher to play on compared to hard courts.
Ever wonder why your game feels effortless on some courts but a bit off on others? The surface underfoot can make all the difference! Here’s a quick guide to how synthetic grass, hard, and clay courts each influence your game—and some strategies to help you adapt and compete on each one.

🟢 Synthetic Grass Courts: Fast & Lower Bounce

Synthetic grass courts are fast and often have a low, skidding bounce, similar to natural grass. This surface favors aggressive play, allowing for shorter points and quick-fire exchanges.
  • Best Playing Style: Serve-and-volley players and net rushers dominate here. The low bounce lets you take control early and rush the net, keeping your opponent on the defensive.
  • Key Strategies: Focus on flat, low shots to keep rallies short. Be ready to take time away from your opponent by closing in on the net and using quick reflexes.
Strategy: Precision on serves and returns is key on synthetic grass. Try hitting low, slicing serves to force weak returns. This surface rewards a “first-strike” mindset—so go for it!

🔵 Hard Courts: Balanced & Predictable

The most common court type, hard courts offer a balanced mix of speed and bounce, making them ideal for players with all-court versatility.
  • Best Playing Style: Hard courts are friendly to all styles—from aggressive baseliners to serve-and-volley players.
  • Key Strategies: Use a combination of power, consistency, and variety. Adapt to your opponent by switching between offense and defense, exploiting the predictable bounce for solid baseline play.
Strategy: Footwork is critical. Rely on controlled, precise movements and adjust quickly to maintain your position. Hard courts reward versatile play, so be ready to switch tactics mid-point.

🟤 Clay Courts: Slow & High Bounce

The slowest surface with a high bounce, clay courts reward patience, endurance, and a tactical approach to point construction.
  • Best Playing Style: Baseline players and counter-punchers thrive here. Heavy topspin and strong defense are crucial to outlasting opponents.
  • Key Strategies: Master topspin shots to control the rally, and use drop shots and lobs to keep your opponent moving and off balance. Sliding is essential to cover the court efficiently and conserve energy.
Strategy: Build points with patience. Use high topspin to push your opponent deep, creating opportunities to attack when they’re out of position. Clay demands endurance, so be prepared for longer, more tactical rallies.
Each surface requires unique skills and adjustments to excel, shaping how you move, strike, and strategize. By adapting your game to the surface, you can boost your performance and embrace the nuances of each court. Whether you’re sliding on clay, powering through on hard, or attacking on synthetic grass, learning to adapt is the key to mastering any surface! 🎾💥
**Note**: Even within the broad categories of synthetic grass, hard courts, and clay, there can be substantial variations in how each surface plays. For instance, the amount of sand used on synthetic grass courts affects speed—more sand generally slows down the play. Hard courts also differ significantly based on the type of coating applied and even the court’s orientation. Courts laid lengthwise versus crosswise can impact speed and ball response, creating unique playing experiences.
The key question is: how can you adapt your game to different surfaces? That’s a topic for another post!

“You have to be ready to deal with it”: Combating Anxiety on the Court

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It can feel like the whole world is caving in when the nerves kick in and the knot in your stomach tightens, when you feel the piercing gaze of the crowd, when you start to shake, sweat and stumble, when your knees start to buckle and your heart begins to beat faster and faster.

But this experience is not unique.

An estimated 31 percent of US adults struggle with anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, so why do athletes feel so alone? According to J.D. DeFreese, an exercise and sport science professor at UNC, this is because the experience of anxiety is individualized.

Ryan Seggerman, a graduate student on the UNC men’s tennis team, said the first step in grappling with anxiety in sports is acknowledging that it can’t be avoided.

“I think (anxiety) is just part of sport in general,” Seggerman said. “You get nervous before matches, you get nervous before big moments. It’s almost a fact. You have to be ready to deal with it.”

Anxiety is a battle that is being fought inside the minds of many athletes. Thanks to a growing dialogue about mental health in athletics, athletes are becoming more comfortable sharing their stories and building up one another.

Brian Cernoch, Seggerman’s teammate and a three-time All-American, said that the way in which he deals with anxiety on the court can make or break a match.

“If you come into a match and you just let the anxiety and fear of losing get to you, it’s going to take over,” Cernoch said. “If you can turn your mind to focusing on something else, focusing on your game point by point, eventually it will go away and you’re going to have a much clearer mind when you’re playing.”

For many, anxiety in athletics comes from within, but for others it comes from somewhere else — or perhaps, someone else. DeFreese said external factors like academics, family or other personal issues can affect athletes’ performances.

Anxiety can also stem from a coach.

“Coaches have a lot of actual power and a lot of perceived power over athletes,” DeFreese said. “They get to decide who gets to play. They decide who plays what positions. How they make those decisions, how they communicate those decisions, the degree to which they make the athlete feel meaningful and valued beyond just playing — coaches can do that in the most positive ways, and coaches can make an athlete not feel very valued outside what they do as a performer.”

Sam Paul has been the head coach of UNC’s men’s tennis team for 30 years. He said he must always be mindful of how his words and actions affect the athletes he coaches.

“You, as a coach, can certainly increase anxiety if you’re not aware of what’s happening around you,” Paul said. “But it’s all about communication.”

Communication. That is what it all boils down to. The stigma around anxiety in athletics has made it difficult for athletes at all levels to come forward and communicate the fact that they are struggling.

Since 2020, NCAA student-athlete well-being studies continue to report that mental health concerns are prevalent among collegiate athletes.

Ben McCormick
April 11, 2023
Credit

Championship Excellence Manly Lawn Club Finals 2024: A Showcase of Strategy and Tenacity

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The intensity and drama of finals tennis was on full display during the Manly Lawn Club Championships 2024! By Sunday afternoon, we had crowned some new champions: Andre in Singles, Ollie in Men’s Doubles, and Xander in Mixed Doubles. Luckily, the weather held up beautifully.

Finals Results:
– Singles: Andre defeated Rimmo, 6-4, 6-4.
– Women’s Singles: Ruby edged out Carolina in a thrilling 6-4, 2-6, 6-0.
– Men’s Doubles: Sean and Ollie triumphed over Sven and Andre, 6-3, 7-6.
– Mixed Doubles: Bryanne and Xander bested Lisa and Todd, 6-2, 6-1.

Congratulations to all players on a fantastic finals weekend!

The Women’s Singles final showcased a captivating contrast of styles: Ruby’s powerful windscreen wiper forehands against Carolina’s controlled slice backhands. For two sets, it was youth versus experience in a match of tactics and endurance. Carolina’s remarkable grit and strategic attempts to outplay Ruby’s Western grip style kept us on the edge of their seats, but ultimately, Ruby prevailed as Carolina began to feel the effects of the heat in the third set.

In the Men’s Singles, Andre faced a few hiccups in his opening serve game and in closing out the first set, but he quickly took command. Rimmo put up a valiant fight, holding off numerous break points, but Andre’s relentless pressure eventually took its toll. Andre, the “Big Dog” of the tournament, brought power and a dominant presence that kept opponents on the defensive. While Rimmo tried to turn it into a running game, aiming for a backhand-to-backhand battle, Andre’s compact, well-timed backhand, along with his incredible footwork for a big man, held firm. Andre ultimately had all the answers — on the day. His powerful serve was the deciding factor, as many struggled to play him aggressively. Here’s a helpful link on strategies to tackle a huge server, which could come in handy next time!

The Men’s Doubles final saw the experienced duo of Sean and Ollie come out on top against a scratch pair, Sven and Andre. Sean and Ollie’s classic doubles play, complete with strategic signaling, proved too solid for the scratch pair, although Andre made some impressive crossing volleys. Sean, our Badge 1/1 captain, was exceptional with his reliable returns and is a terrific role model for our younger players, consistently demonstrating great sportsmanship and on-court presence. Despite a brief stumble in the second-set tiebreaker, Ollie closed the match with style, a masterclass in serving under pressure.

And finally, in the Mixed Doubles, Bryanne and Xander overpowered Todd and Lisa. It was unfortunate that Lisa had a wrist injury and couldn’t bring her best game to the court that day. Even so, what really stood out was Bryanne’s undeniable fire in the belly. She’s still got that competitive spark! Maybe it’s the joy of being out there guiding her son, Xander. I like to call her “Momma Bear” because she’s a fierce competitor and such a fantastic role model for our younger players. And ladies, take note—she’s got some serious volley skills!

As they say, tennis was the winner!

Elevate Your Doubles Strategy: Play Smarter, Not Harder

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In doubles, success centers on controlling the Magic Diamond—the critical area where most of the play unfolds. Understanding this space adds new meaning to your positioning at the start of each point.
Doubles strategy is all about awareness of key patterns, with four players moving in harmony—like a well-choreographed dance. To elevate your doubles game, it’s essential to understand the primary patterns for each role: the server, returner, server’s partner, and returner’s partner.

Key Doubles Patterns

–  J Path: For the returner’s partner, this path involves starting laterally and curving forward toward the net in a “J” shape. This movement allows them to intercept cross-court shots and poach aggressively, putting pressure on the server’s team.
– V Path: The server’s partner follows a “V” path, moving diagonally to adjust to the return. By shifting back to cover deep shots or moving forward to intercept, they effectively cover key angles and support the server.
– Volley Targets: Mastering four key volley targets—center window, deep cross-court, down the line, and short angled volleys—improves your effectiveness at the net and maximizes pressure on opponents. (Read more –>)
– The Volleyball Approach: In this setup, one player acts as the “setter” to prepare the play, while the other is the “spiker” who finishes it, similar to volleyball.

Play Smarter, Not Harder

Certain court zones are high-traffic areas, while others—like the sidelines—are low-percentage spaces that don’t require constant coverage.
Typically, the serving team benefits from keeping the ball in the middle to support the server’s partner, while the returning team gains an edge by using wider angles to create opportunities.
By mastering these patterns, doubles becomes more intuitive. You’ll find yourself positioning strategically, maximizing efficiency, and truly unlocking the full potential of your doubles game.

Key Lessons from the Club Championships Semifinals

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The Manly Club Championships featured two competitive singles semifinals on Court 1 last week, with excellent tennis conditions marred slightly by the challenging sun in the later match, particularly for serves from the southern end.
In the first match, Rimmo defeated Sean, while in the second, Andre prevailed over Oliver. Both victors demonstrated a clear tactical advantage by taking control of rallies early, often using a deep, well-placed bunt return on the service return to seize the initiative. This neutralizing approach in returning, coupled with solid baseline play, proved decisive.
Both matches saw ALL players relying heavily on powerful first serves to earn quick points. However, missed first serves frequently invited the receiver into a rally from the kick second serve, leading to a higher-than-usual number of service breaks.
In his match, Rimmo was content to draw Sean into extended rallies, often resetting points with a backhand slice even though it allowed Sean to move aggressively inside the baseline. Sean, an agile player, might have benefited from finishing points earlier, by adopting a more assertive approach, the “Nadal variation” to finish the point.
Conversely, Andre used his height and powerful ground strokes to consistently pressure Oliver. By drawing short balls from Oliver, Andre was able to transition forward, either finishing points with a well-placed ground stroke or setting up an easy volley. Andre’s volleys remain an area for potential improvement. Oliver did not capitalize on opportunities to apply pressure with angled passing shots or lobs, particularly given the challenging sun conditions.
Rimmo’s game was anchored by his world-class backhand and impressive retrieval skills, which consistently frustrated his opponent. However, his tendency to muscle his serves raised concerns about the risk of re-injury to his shoulder.
Both winners established an early control on most points, setting the tone for their respective matches. In contrast, Sean and Oliver spent too much time engaging in powerful baseline exchanges, with many shots landing well inside the baseline, allowing their opponents comfortable rally balls. Effective shot depth was noticeably absent, with few shots driving opponents onto their back foot to elicit errors or short balls.
Both players missed valuable opportunities to attack from inside their respective ghost lines, frequently choosing passive rally shots instead of taking control of the point. Their approach emphasized executing a solid stroke rather than strategically setting up the point through varied shot combinations and intentional court placements.
All players aimed to secure quick points through first-serve winners, but as the balls wore down, opponents gradually adjusted to the serve’s pace, making returns easier, particularly in the match’s later, critical stages. Employing variety in serve placement, speed, and spin proves far more effective in disrupting an opponent’s timing on the return. Over-reliance on raw power for first serves not only raises error rates but also forces players into hitting a greater percentage of second serves. It’s often said that a player’s game is only as strong as their second serve.
Finally, neither Sean nor Oliver seemed to recognize their opponents’ passive approach to first serve returns. Implementing serve-and-volley tactics could have transformed these rallies, and a well-placed serve and follow-up volley could have created straightforward winners.

Staying Focused Against an Opponent You Dislike Playing

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Let’s face it. We just don’t enjoy playing against certain opponents—they can frustrate us, get under our skin, or just make us feel uncomfortable on the court. Some players, unfortunately, are out there just to play mind games!

When facing someone like that, the key is to stay focused and play your game—exactly what they’re trying to disrupt.

Here’s a set of approaches to help you handle these situations:

1. Focus on the Task, Not the Opponent

Concentrate on your game plan and each point, rather than any negative feelings toward the opponent. This keeps your energy channeled into constructive goals, like targeting specific areas on the court or sticking to shot patterns that work. Shifting focus to the task at hand, rather than the opponent, can be incredibly freeing and help keep emotions in check.

2. Label ’em with a Funny Nickname

If you can’t stand an opponent, try using a bit of humor to take the edge off. Give them a lighthearted nickname like “Misery Guts” or “Queen Delay” before stepping on court—it makes them feel a little less intimidating! 

3. Have a Game Plan

Create small, actionable goals for the match, such as aiming for the opponent’s weaker side, positioning yourself effectively at the net, or keeping the ball deep. Having clear objectives pulls your focus back to the game and reduces emotional distractions by replacing them with practical tasks.

4. Stick to Your Rituals

On-court, a 4-7-8 breath before each serve or return can help maintain that focus. Rituals are powerful tools for staying in control of your emotions and keeping distractions at bay.

5. Use Court Positioning to Stay Engaged

Sometimes emotions can take over when we aren’t actively engaged in the point, so maintaining proper court positioning can help. Stay alert to your partner’s movements to stay connected to the play. This promotes a sense of teamwork and keeps you mentally in the moment, preventing focus from drifting to frustrating aspects of the match.

6. Positive Self-Talk

Use positive self-talk to keep confidence high. Phrases like, “Stay strong,” “One point at a time,” or “Stick to the plan,” can counter negative thoughts and help keep emotions from interfering, reinforce confidence and keep your mindset on the game.

With these strategies, you can tackle even the toughest opponents with a focused mindset.

The goal is to stay in control of what you can, letting go of what you can’t, so you can play your best game possible — point by point.

Read more–> Mind Games

Mastering the Mind Games: Staying Focused Under Pressure

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It’s disappointing that some coaches are encouraging players to unsettle their opponents in ways that stray from the spirit of fair play. It raises questions about the kind of values these tactics  are instilling in young players for the future.

Opponents often have subtle ways to distract you that don’t involve hitting the ball at all. Recognizing these tactics can make a big difference, helping you stay focused, resilient, and in control no matter what comes your way.

Here are some common tactics opponents may use to unsettle you and break your focus:

1. Handling Negative Comments

Some opponents will try to mess with your head by talking to you during the match, making negative comments, or praising your mistakes. They want you to overthink and lose confidence.

2. Slow Play (Stalling)

An opponent may take too long between points, adjusting their equipment, towel breaks, or walking slowly to serve. This slows down your rhythm and makes it hard to stay in your groove.

3. Speeding Up the Game

Opposite to slow play, some players rush between points, serving too quickly or hurrying you into mistakes. If you’re not ready, this tactic can make you feel pressured and lead to rushed, sloppy play.

4. Disputing Calls

Even if they’re not cheating outright, some players will argue every close call, creating tension. They want you to second-guess your own judgment, disrupting your focus on the game.

5. Body Language and Fake Confidence

Opponents might exaggerate their energy or show off overly confident body language—like fist pumps or aggressive looks—trying to intimidate you or make you feel they are unbeatable, even if they’re not.

6. Talking to the Umpire or Asking for Reviews

Constantly questioning the umpire, asking for reviews, or bringing up unnecessary issues can break the flow of the match and throw you off mentally.

7. Changing the Pace of Play

Some opponents will purposely mix up their game—playing slow and defensive, then suddenly hitting aggressive shots. This inconsistent pace can make it hard for you to find your rhythm.

8. Faking Injury or Fatigue

Some players might fake an injury or pretend to be extremely tired, only to suddenly spring back into form. They want you to let your guard down and get caught off-guard when they start playing hard again.

9. Excessive Celebrations

After winning a point, an opponent might celebrate excessively—even on minor points—to make you feel worse about your loss and break your concentration.

10. Disrespecting You or Showing Poor Sportsmanship

Some players will roll their eyes, clap sarcastically, or even avoid shaking hands properly. These small acts of disrespect are designed to irritate you and get under your skin.

11. Deliberate Noise or Distractions

Your opponent might grunt loudly, stomp their feet, or make distracting noises during your serve or rallies to break your concentration.

12. Taking Toilet Timeouts

Sometimes, players will take long medical timeouts to break your momentum. And, talk to the coach in the bathroom! Just remember only you and your opponents can hit the ball — no matter what the coach says.

13. Playing to Your Weaknesses

A smart opponent might relentlessly target your weak spots, like your backhand or net play. This can mentally drain you if you start focusing on your weaknesses rather than adjusting your strategy.

14. Crowd Manipulation

If there’s a crowd, some players may encourage their supporters to make noise, distract you between points or clap your errors. It can be hard to ignore, especially if the crowd is on their side.

15. Faking Agreement in Doubles

In doubles, an opponent might make comments about your partner, pretending to agree with them or saying things to make you doubt your teamwork.

16. Appearing Indifferent

Some players try to act like they don’t care about the outcome, which can make you feel less motivated. They’ll shrug off mistakes or losses as if they don’t matter, trying to make you question why you’re trying so hard.

17. Physical Intimidation

While tennis is non-contact, some players will use their body language or stand very close to you when at the net to intimidate you, making you feel uncomfortable.

18. Feigning Disinterest

An opponent might intentionally play at a lower level during practice or warm-up to make you underestimate them once the match starts. When they switch gears, you may feel caught off-guard.

19. Taking Medical Timeouts

Sometimes, players will take long medical timeouts to break your momentum. While some injuries are real, others can be exaggerated or faked to disrupt your rhythm and focus.

Recognizing these tactics is the first step to staying mentally tough and prepared for anything an opponent throws at you.

Embrace the fact that your opponent seems to believe they can’t beat you through skill alone!

Stick to your game plan, stay composed, and remember that mind games are only effective if you let them get into your head!

 

Success Starts in the Mind: Don’t Get Beaten Without a Racket

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Handling disruptive tactics requires mental strength, focus, and preparation.

Here’s a general approach to deal with opponents trying to throw you off your game and beat you without using a racket:

1. Stay Focused on What You Can Control

You can’t control your opponent’s behavior, but you can control your reactions. When they try to distract you, remind yourself to focus on your own game—your footwork, your next shot, or your strategy. Ignore everything else.

2. Stick to Your Routine

Having a solid between-points routine helps block out distractions. Whether it’s bouncing the ball a certain number of times before serving, adjusting your strings, or taking a deep breath, this keeps you grounded and focused on the next point.

3. Don’t Engage in Their Drama

Whether it’s arguing, celebrating excessively, or making comments, don’t get pulled into their game. Stay calm and avoid talking back or showing frustration. The more you stay composed, the less power they have over you.

4. Use Mental Reset Techniques

If you feel yourself getting frustrated, take a moment to reset mentally. Deep breathing, visualizing positive outcomes, or simply pausing before your serve can help you regain focus.

5. Stay Aggressive in Your Play

Cheating, slowing down play, or distractions are easier to pull off when the points are close. Stay aggressive and play with confidence. By dominating the points, you leave less room for them to exploit you.

6. Be Prepared for Mind Games

Know that certain opponents will try these tactics, especially in competitive matches. Expect it and be ready. When it happens, you won’t be surprised, and you’ll be mentally prepared to deal with it.

7. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If your opponent’s tactics cross the line—such as cheating or delaying too much—don’t hesitate to call for an umpire or ask a tournament official for assistance. You don’t have to handle it all alone.

When you feel frustration building, use it as fuel to play even better. Let it drive you to focus more sharply and move more aggressively. Turning frustration into positive energy can help you stay in control of the match.

In general, your opponent can only throw you off your game if you allow it. Stay mentally strong, focus on your game plan, and rise above their attempts to distract or frustrate you.

While technique and physical ability are crucial, your mental game is often what separates winners from losers, especially in high-pressure situations. At the end of the day, you’re not just battling with your opponent’s shots—you’re also battling your own mindset. Victory is often won in the mind before it’s won on the court.

Don’t let your opponent beat you without using a racket.

Mastering the Pinky Grip: Elevating Your Tennis Serve

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The principle of gripping tightly with the pinkies while keeping the rest of the fingers looser, as practiced in Japanese swordsmanship, can be transferred to tennis serves in a way that significantly improves power, control, and fluidity.

In swordsmanship, the pinkies provide a stable base for control and power, while the looser grip from the other fingers allows for smooth, fluid motions. This same concept can be applied to your tennis serve, resulting in a more efficient and effective technique.

Here’s how this soft hands concept can be applied to serving:

1. Power Generation

Just like in swordsmanship, the pinky and ring fingers play a key role in generating power for your tennis serve. A firm grip with the pinkies allows you to channel strength from your arm and core into the racket, ensuring a solid transfer of energy during contact with the ball.

– How to Apply: Focus on gripping the racket tighter with your pinky and ring fingers while preparing for the serve. This grip stabilizes the racket, helping generate more power when you accelerate through the ball. This becomes particularly effective during the wind-up and contact phases of the serve.

2. Fluidity and Wrist Snap

The loose grip in the index and middle fingers promotes flexibility in the wrist, essential for generating spin and allowing the racket to move smoothly through the contact zone. A tight grip throughout all the fingers would limit wrist movement, reducing both spin and racket head speed.

– How to Apply: Keep your index and middle fingers relaxed during the serve motion, allowing your wrist to snap freely through contact. This helps generate topspin, slice, or any desired spin more effectively, while keeping your motion fluid.

3. Control and Accuracy

Gripping tightly with the pinkies while keeping the upper fingers looser provides a strong base for control while allowing for subtle adjustments in the racket’s angle. This combination ensures accuracy without the risk of over-gripping, which can lead to tension and inconsistent serves.

– How to Apply: Focus on keeping a looser grip in the upper fingers during the toss and as you bring the racket through the hitting zone. This allows for fine-tuning of the racket face, helping with better ball placement, especially in crucial moments like second serves where precision is key.

4. Serving Rhythm

A balanced grip helps promote a relaxed, natural rhythm in your serve. The firm pinky grip stabilizes the racket, while the looser upper fingers facilitate a smooth, rhythmic swing, preventing muscle tension and enabling consistent timing.

– How to Apply: Practice serving while focusing on the balance between a tight pinky grip and relaxed upper fingers. This allows you to maintain a calm, relaxed rhythm through the entire serve motion, leading to more consistent contact and timing.

5. Spin and Variations

The wrist flexibility gained from the looser grip allows players to execute a variety of serves—whether it’s adding extra topspin, slice, or kick. The relaxed grip in the upper fingers enhances your ability to control the ball’s trajectory and spin, making your serves more versatile and unpredictable.

– How to Apply: For spin serves, focus on keeping your wrist flexible by maintaining a looser grip with the upper fingers. This will help you impart more spin on the ball, allowing you to execute slice or topspin serves with ease, and make your serve harder to read for your opponent.

By incorporating the principle of gripping tightly with the pinkies while keeping the rest of the fingers loose, you can significantly improve your serve.  This soft hands grip helps generate power, enhances wrist fluidity for spin, and increases control and precision.

Applying these tips will lead to a more effective, consistent, and versatile serve, helping elevate your overall game performance.

Karlovic's Serve Grip

Take a close look at Karlovic’s grip on his serve, captured during his match against Thommo at the French Open a few years ago. It almost resembles a two-finger grip, reminiscent of the way Gonzales used to serve! Photo credit: Tony Reynolds

Staying Focused During Matches

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In competitive tennis matches, mental endurance is just as crucial as physical stamina.
The 20-20-20 rule, originally designed to reduce eye strain during extended screen time, can provide valuable insights into maintaining focus. The rule suggests that every 20 minutes, you take a 20-second break to look at something at least 20 feet away. This brief pause helps relax your eyes, preventing fatigue and discomfort.
Though intended for screen users, this concept can be adapted to tennis to help reset your mental focus and maintain long-term concentration. Here’s how:
• Mental Breaks: Every 20 points or during changeovers (about every 20 minutes), take a deliberate mental break. Look away from the court, focusing on something distant, like a tree or the stands. This helps reset your mind and prevent mental fatigue from setting in.
• Court Focus and Visualization: Use these breaks to visualize your next shots or points, which can help maintain sharpness and strategic thinking throughout the match.
• Breathing Exercises: During these moments, practice deep, controlled breathing for 20 seconds. This will calm your nerves, boost focus, and clear your mind, especially during high-pressure moments.
By incorporating these mental breaks, similar to the 20-20-20 rule, you can sustain concentration and decision-making throughout long matches, keeping both your mind and body sharp.

Why UTR Ratings Hinder Junior Tennis Development

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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.

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably guessed—I’m not a fan!

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.

GPT