How Can I Improve My Doubles Play for Badge?

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This week’s question comes from a mid level club member.  “With 2024 Badge about to start, what are some simple strategies I can use to improve my doubles play?”

Overall, the key to successful doubles play is to communicate with your partner, play to your strengths, and be aggressive when the opportunity arises.

Drilling down, here are a few strategies to consider to help you improve your tennis doubles play:

  1. Communicate with your partner: Good communication is essential in doubles. Make sure to talk to your partner before, during, and after the match. Discuss tactics, shots, and weaknesses that you can exploit.

  2. Play to your strengths: In doubles, it is essential to play to your strengths. If you are good at the net, try to play aggressively and move up to the net as much as possible. If you have a strong backhand, use it to keep the ball deep, and either setup your partner and force errors.

  3. Use the lob: The lob is a great shot in doubles, especially if your opponents are playing close to the net. It can be used to push them back and create space for you to hit a winner.

  4. Stay in position: Make sure you and your partner are covering the court properly: particularly the middle of the court which covers 80% of doubles play. Stay in your assigned positions and be ready to move quickly to cover any open spaces. It’s a trap to try to “guard your side line” — which takes you out of the main game!

  5. Watch your opponent’s body language: Pay attention to your opponent’s body language. If they are shifting their weight or preparing to hit a certain shot, you may be able to anticipate their next move and adjust your position accordingly.

  6. Serve and volley: Serving and volleying can be an effective strategy in doubles. It puts pressure on your opponents and can help you win points quickly. And it’s a good surprize tactic if you normally stay on the base line when serving.

  7. Take risks: Don’t be afraid to take risks and go for winners when appropriate. In doubles, the court is smaller, and there is less time to react, so aggressive play can be rewarded.  Even so, your primary objective must always be to get into the point!

Good luck in Badge,
Rob  Tennis Whisperer

 

New Whisperer Website

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The Tennis Whisperer was previously part of the Manly Tennis Centre (MTC), a subdomain of the Manly Lawn Tennis Club.
Following the ownership transfer of the Manly Tennis Centre,  MTC has established its own independent website. You can find it here: https://manlytenniscentre.com.au/.
Consequently, the Manly Lawn website has now been revised to incorporate these updates.
The Tennis Whisperer section has relocated to its new digital home at www.tenniswhisperer.com.

USPTA Quick Tip: Soft Hands on Volleys | AskThePro

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USPTA Elite Professional Katie Dellich shares a trick on getting students to understand why they shouldn’t hold their racquet so tightly on the volley!
Good luck,

Rob, USPTA Pro
Tennis Whisperer

Angels & Demons on Court

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Sam Stosur and Nick Kyrgios have some new friends in Naomi Osaka (French Open) and gymnast Simone Biles (Olympics).  Athletes who think that they have failed to live up to expectations—whether it be parents, peer group, coach or media.

Regrettably media these days have jumped on the band wagon wanting to label it as “mental illness”.  It’s not, it never was.

Competitive sports put athletes under pressure to perform. And any major championship increases the pressure exponentially.

My good Scottish friend, Johnson Brown, put it succinctly: “you’ve got to ask the question”.  What Johnson meant was to give your opposition a chance to miss. Equally,  you are often asking the same question of yourself.

On a personal note I well remember scouting an opponent with my coach before a major championship final. Says the well meaning coach — “The guy can’t play, you’ll have no problem…”.  Fast forward to next day’s final. There’s a big crowd. It’s 5 all in the third set! Enter my demon: “the guy can’t play” — not a subtle message demon —clearly I can’t play either!!  And I, and the crowd, know it!  Or that’s what my demon wants me to believe.

Choking, jitters, twisties and baulks in major competitions are part of the game. It happens to all athletes from time to time.  We all succumb at some point, under pressure — and particularly when the competition is beyond our level of experience.  It’s very difficult to win a Grand Slam and particularly at your first go. Closer to home recall Bosko playing Rimmo in the club singles final.  Bosko confided he knew what to do but couldn’t execute on the day against a more experienced player.

Quoting Olympic gold medal-winning rower Kim Brennan:  “Everyone has their angel and demon sitting on their shoulder,” she says. “The demon is always going to be there. You train yourself to accept that everyone’s got them. I bet Ariarne Titmus has her demons. But you get comfortable with it. You say, “Hi old friend, I knew you were coming. That’s nice. But I’m going to keep doing what I’ve trained myself to do’.”

Therein lies part of the answer (training/process) about how to handle competitive pressure.

Research shows us that our minds contain two systems. The first acts instinctively and requires little effort — it’s based on our evolutionary fight or flight tendencies—and easily fueled by our demon.  The second (our angel) is more deliberate and requires much more of our attention.

Our thoughts and actions vary depending on which of the two systems is in control of our brain at the time.  The key question then is how to ‘reset’ Mildred to Angel mode when competing. By the way, part of the solution is to ‘name’ your fears and move the goal posts. Mildred is the name I give to my mind, really the first brain that ‘runs the system’.

Another personal note: “I’ve never beaten Jimmy Parker” says my dubs partner before we have to play a USTA dubs championship final.  Parker has just won the World singles championship for the age group.  You mean ‘Jimmy Buffet’ says Pam, using humour to diminish the power of his name before we take to the court.  It was a hard match but we managed a win.

You’re more creative and intuitive when you’re in a better mood. When you’re in a better mood (Angel), the part of the mind that is alert and analytical tends to relax. That cedes control of Mildred to her more intuitive and quicker thinking capacity — key to competitive tennis!

So how do you reset Mildred under pressure. You’ve got 25 seconds between points, 90 seconds when changing ends.

Rhythm is the key here. Normal sinus rhythm is 60 beats a minute. This is the rate when your breathing and heart rate are in sync.  Under stress, this can change dramatically — eg shortness of breath in panic mode.

Most players have a natural playing rhythm. Agassi played very fast, Djokovic and Nadal much slower than Federer. Barty plays fast.

Serving is the one time you actually have control of the point — witness Djokovic’s 12 plus ball bounces during a tie breaker.  He is trying to sync his rhythm. So apart from ‘buying time’ by bouncing the ball, what are some other ways to reset Mildred.

Several years ago, we had the ‘Russian Ritual’. Recall Sharapova turning her back to the court/opponent and adjusting her strings for a few seconds. Or more recently Nadal’s approach which is to adjust his gear and brush his ear before serving.

A better way is to monitor/relax your breathing.  Recall from above that you’re trying to keep your heart and head (no pun intended) in sync.

I teach a basic 4/7/8 breath schedule to calm Mildred down when players feel under pressure. Breathe in to a long count of 4, hold for 7 and breath out, stretching your diaphragm for a count of 8.  Repeat as often as necessary.

Lastly, you have to learn to ‘play’ rather than to ‘hit strokes’.  Recall our Olympic rower Kim Brennan’s comment above about ‘training yourself’.  Perfection is to learn to ‘play on the other side of the net’ which few achieve.

Too often we are so focused on our own game (and particularly strokes) that we forget that we are competing against other players.  Hence the old adage: ‘a good player will always beat a good hitter’. But that’s a much bigger topic for another day.

Good luck,

Rob, USPTA Pro
Tennis Whisperer

What Does it Take to Create an Elite Junior Player?

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We were fortunate to watch several promising juniors compete in the Club Championships over the past several weeks.  One parent watching the matches asked this week’s question.  What Does it Take to Create an Elite Junior Player?

Creating an elite junior tennis player involves a blend of talent, dedication, and a specialized teaching program.

The Muir Tennis Academy (MTA), drawing from years of experience, developed a tennis curriculum that emphasized building on individual strengths.  The program was very successful in creating college athletes with the payoff that tennis paid for their education.  Some even went on to become College Coaches themselves, one even has his own tennis academy.

The approach mirrored a multiyear academic education, with structured semester programs focusing on seven key elements. The curriculum allowed for tracking a child’s progress and tailoring teaching to their specific needs/strengths, all while incorporating healthy competitive elements.

Here’s a copy of the curriculum.

 

The curriculum was divided into two main sections: learning the Fundamentals and Building a Game based on the fundamentals.  Classes were held biweekly for groups of 6 – 8 players.

1. Fundamentals

  • Ball Watching: This involved teaching players about eye-hand coordination and focus, with drills designed to track the ball from the opponent’s racket to their own.
  • Balance and Rhythm: The training here included exercises to improve physical coordination, footwork, balance, and rhythm, enhancing agility and court movement.

2. Building A Game

  • Applied Fundamentals: This step involved integrating basic skills into more complex drills, combining ball watching and balance with hitting exercises to simulate real-game scenarios.
  • Strategy Essentials: Players learned tactical aspects of the game, understanding different shots, their appropriate use, and how to anticipate the opponent’s moves.
  • Singles Strategy: The curriculum focused on specific singles play strategies, such as court management, exploiting opponents’ weaknesses, and enhancing serve and return games.
  • Doubles Strategy: Emphasized teamwork, positioning, and communication in doubles, teaching effective partnership strategies, including court coverage and shot selection.

This structured approach fostered learning and development, focusing more on the “experience” rather than just winning or achieving high rankings.

At the end of the day, the role of the coach is to help develop a ‘good person’ with life skills. If they happen to become an elite tennis player too, that’s a bonus.  Good luck.

Rob Muir
USPTA
Tennis Whisperer

The Dreaded Tennis Elbow | AskThePro

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Recently, I have a reoccurrence of the dreaded tennis elbow. What can I do about it?

Unfortunately, sooner or later, most of us have to suffer through the dreaded tennis elbow.  Between 10 and 50 percent of players suffer from tennis elbow so you’re not alone. And as most of us find out – rest doesn’t help.

Tennis elbow occurs when repetitive forces cause micro-trauma injuries to the tissues around the elbow.  Common initiating factors include: using a new racket, using nylon strings that are too tight, oversized grips, playing in the wind, hitting ‘heavy wet balls.

In addition, if you suddenly increase your playing intensity and couple this with poor technique, especially the backhand and serve, you reduce your body’s ability to withstand these forces and develop tennis elbow. Striving for that little extra can really hurt you!

In a study by Kelley (1994): “sufferers showed poor body positioning and greater involvement of their forearm extensor muscles. They also showed rapid change from wrist flexion to wrist extension when striking the ball and early in the follow-through. This placed the wrist in an unstable position to withstand repeated forces. Importantly, the backhand stroke heightened these differences.”

If you are suffering from tennis elbow, you will have pain radiating down the lateral side of your elbow or stiffness in this area. Your symptoms may disappear if you stop playing, but this is obviously self-defeating. If you consult a doc, they’ll suggest anti-inflammatory drugs, injections, and RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) method. These, however, merely treat the symptoms and don’t address the underlying factors that caused the injury.

Another paper by Noteboom (1994) suggested 5 stages of treatment for tennis elbow: 1. Reduce pain, 2. Reduce inflammation, 3. Induce the healing process, 4. Maintain fitness, and 5. Control force placed on injured tissues.

Part of reducing the pain and inflammation is to get the inflamed tendons and muscles to ‘release’ (this is why some people have success with acupuncture). Typically the muscles and tendons are displaced away from your body causing your arm to be ‘bent’ and exacerbating the stress on the elbow point. You need to find the pressure (i.e pain) point, and gradually increase the pressure there until you feel the muscle release – sometimes takes a couple of minutes depending on how extreme your case!.

Repeat liberally and at the same time, start hot massage beginning at the wrist and gradually work your way up to the elbow to both release and stimulate blood flow to the muscles and tendons. Be patient, since there’s typically little blood flow to tendons which is why it takes time for the inflammation to go down. Gradually you’ll see your arm “unbend” as the muscles and tendons return to proper alignment.

In my own case, it takes about 10 days to get my elbow in reasonable shape if I’m diligent. Thereafter, after I’ve completed stages 1-3, I use a series of stretching exercises coupled with reducing the force in hitting the ball.  Racket stringing technology is developing all the time and I’ve found that one of Gamma’s strings, Live Wire, definitely eases the force on my arm.  While it might costs a few $$ more for a restring, even so, you’ll easily make up for this in frustration and injury reduction.

Candidly, putting the right strings in your racket is worth at least a point-a-game advantage in power, control, and injury prevention! If you can afford the technology, buy it!! Likewise, if you worried about your technique, spend a few $$$ on lessons.

Rob, USPTA Pro

Tennis Whisperer

How Do I Handle Match Play Distractions?

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This week’s inquiry comes from a club member participating in our club championships. During the heat of a match, my opponent unexpectedly erupted with incomprehensible outbursts, visibly losing their temper, and impulsively hurling their racket against the fence. This unsettling incident disrupted my concentration, leading to my subsequent loss of three consecutive points and ultimately the entire match. How should I effectively deal with such situations in the future?

When your adversary is unable to defeat you with their racket alone, it is crucial not to permit them to discover alternative means of gaining an advantage. Rather than succumbing to frustration due to your opponent’s unsportsmanlike behaviour, consider seizing the opportunity it presents.

Competitive tennis is all about matchups and your ability to discern your opponent’s psychological state. This not only allows you to draw energy from your opponent’s mental struggles and maintain your composure when trailing, but also enables you to adjust the game’s tempo to create a more favourable matchup during play.

In essence, when your opponent exhibits visible signs of distress, you should maintain a brisk pace to keep them off balance. Conversely, during pivotal moments or when they are gaining an advantage, you should slow down the tempo. So, how can you identify these tell-tale signs of your opponent being “visibly upset”?

You encountered a few distractions in your match, so here is a list of common indicators that your opponent is feeling pressure (remember, these may also apply to you):

  1. Abuse: Engaging in abusive racket behaviour such as throwing or hitting it against the net.
  2. Control: Making critical errors at crucial times, double faults, or trying to steer the ball instead of hitting it.
  3. Mouthing: Negative self-talk, shouting, or using abusive language.
  4. Negative: Refusing to accept errors or calls, and dwelling on mistakes.
  5. Physical: Inability to relax, deliberately making bad calls, or rushing play.
  6. Rushing: Exhibiting signs of agitation and hurrying the game.
  7. Visual: Expressing dismay at errors, displaying negative body language, or making mocking gestures.

Many of these behaviours are childish and attention-seeking in nature, similar to behaviours not tolerated outside of tennis. Therefore, it’s essential to monitor your opponent’s conduct throughout a match to gain insights into their mental state and how they handle pressure.

Maintain your composure during crucial moments. Often, we internalize our focus, competing against ourselves. Avoid sending unintentional signals of frustration to your opponents, as this can boost their confidence. Players like Federer and Nadal excel at managing on-court distractions.

There is great value in staying composed, focusing on your own game, and minimizing distractions, whether they originate from your side of the court or your opponent’s.

Good luck,

Rob, USPTA Pro
Tennis Whisperer

Gilbert’s Coaching Advice to Gauff: Know what’s coming, and play to your strengths

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Brad Gilbert — tennis junkie, junkballer, commentator, coach of legends — had roughly seven minutes to trade his coaching hat for a microphone, to shift from helping Coco Gauff manage her third-round match Friday night to interviewing Novak Djokovic in the tunnel before his.

“Been coming to this place since 1981,” Gilbert, who travels with an espresso machine, said between sips of coffee as he headed to his office, a.k.a. the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, on Saturday morning. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

For 40 years, he has been a near-ubiquitous presence in the sport, rising through the 1980s to the No. 4 ranking in the world, despite his quirky, awkward, ugly strokes, then pivoting to coaching and television work, often at the same time, in that hybrid way that is oddly common in tennis. Andre Agassi had him at his side when he won the U.S. Open in 1994, as did Andy Roddick, in 2003.

Now, at 62 and a decade removed from top-level coaching, Gilbert is back in the trenches and quickly becoming a star of this year’s U.S. Open, albeit in a supporting role to the 19-year-old Gauff, who is among the biggest stars of this quintessentially American tennis party. One minute, Gilbert is chatting and applauding Gauff through a practice session. The next, he’s hustling through the crowds, fist-bumping fans who treat him like an old buddy on his way up to the ESPN commentary booth to mingle with a decidedly older set of stars from his era, such as Chris Evert, Patrick McEnroe and Pam Shriver.

“A very funny man,” Gauff said earlier this summer of Gilbert, whose coaching exploits she knew little about, since, as she pointed out with a giggle, they mostly happened before she was born. “I didn’t want to be with someone who’s a wall. But he’s definitely not a wall.”

Tennis fans love and hate his nerdy player nicknames. Stan Wawrinka, the Swiss tank of a player, is “Stanimal.” Carlos Alcaraz is “Escape from Alcaraz.” And on and on.

Last year took an unconventional turn. For nearly a decade, Gilbert had been working with junior players on private courts in California. Then the phone rang with an odd request.

After Gauff lost in the first round at Wimbledon in July, another disappointing Grand Slam result for a player who believes she is ready to win the biggest titles, he got a call from her team. They wanted him to speak with her parents about sharing his been-there wisdom as an adviser alongside Gauff’s new and somewhat-inexperienced coach, Pere Riba.

Gauff’s shortcomings were hardly a mystery: a shaky forehand and serve in tight moments; a struggle to maximize her prodigious strengths — her speed and ability to cover the court, her fitness, her blazing backhand, a laserlike first serve.
Used the right way, those tools have gotten her far. Maybe Gilbert’s brain could get her over the line.

“He loved discussing matchups, how to get to people’s weaknesses,” said Andy Murray, who worked with Gilbert earlier in his career. “It was very focused on the strategy and finding ways to win matches.”

Gilbert and Gauff’s team have kept quiet about the specific ways he has helped her, but anyone who watches him and hears what he says from her box during matches can figure it out: Know what’s coming, and play to your strengths.

“Make it physical, Coco,” is a constant refrain, a reminder that she can chase down balls all night long if she wants to, taking the legs and the heart out of opponents.

Gilbert has little use for the statistics that have come into fashion among many elite teams. He ignores the screen in the coaching box that gives coaches real-time data. “I trust my eyes,” he said.

He has been trying to introduce Gauff to his music, sending her links to songs by Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and the Eagles. Gauff, a fan of City Girls — a Miami hip-hop duo featuring artists Yung Miami and JT — has yet to share her thoughts.

Still, at the moment, she and her team have every reason to trust his eyes, too. Gauff has won two of her first three tournaments with him on the team, and 14 of 15 matches, including three at the U.S. Open.

Source: .nytimes.com/2023/09/02/sports/tennis/us-open-coco-gauff-brad-gilbert.html

Mastering Tennis Requires an All-Court Style

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The tennis court at Arthur Ashe Stadium appears smooth, but the microscopic structure of sand granules in the acrylic paint significantly affects match dynamics. The size, shape, and density of the sand dictate the ball’s speed post-bounce, with the U.S. Open surface being “medium-fast,” resulting in fewer long rallies and quicker matches. This pace is deliberately chosen by organizers using devices that measure friction and restitution.
Players like Daniil Medvedev have criticized court speeds, as variations can affect match outcomes. For example, the medium-slow courts at Indian Wells play differently than the medium-fast courts in Miami. Organizers try to control court pace; for instance, Wimbledon switched to 100% ryegrass for firmer courts, and the U.S. Open added sand to the line paint to minimize ball sliding.
Despite these efforts, top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek consistently win regardless of surface speed. The pace affects playing styles, with faster surfaces favoring offense and slower ones requiring defensive skills and patience. Rafael Nadal, dominant on slow clay courts, had to adopt a more attacking style for hardcourts. The U.S. Open resurfaces its courts annually to ensure consistency. The surface, made by Advanced Polymer Technology, impacts the ball’s speed, trajectory, and spin.
Ultimately, mastering tennis requires an all-court style, as top players like Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic have demonstrated their adaptability to different court speeds.

Court speeds at major tournaments in 2023

TOURNAMENT

COURT SURFACE

PACE RATING

French Open

Clay

Slow (29 or less)

Indian Wells

Hard

Medium-slow (30-34)

Western & Southern Open

Hard

Medium (35-39)

Miami Open

Hard

Medium-fast (40-44)

Australian Open

Hard

Medium-fast (40-44)

U.S. Open

Hard

Medium-fast (40-44)

Wimbledon

Grass

Fast (45 or more)

Source:  https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/09/02/sports/tennis/us-open-tennis-court-speed.html

Developing a Warrior Mode | AskThePro

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The mental side of competitive sports is crucial as it directly impacts an athlete’s performance and ability to handle pressure. Developing strong mental resilience, focus, and confidence can often be the differentiating factor between success and failure!

Today’s SMH contained an insightful article on Stuart Board’s development as a professional cricketer. Here’s the relevant teaching extract:

” ….  It’s been a remarkable career for someone who, in his first year of international cricket, was hammered for six consecutive sixes by India’s Yuvraj Singh during the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa. Broad claims that over was the making of him. 

‘‘ It was obviously a pretty tough day . . . I learned loads,’’ Broad recalled. ‘‘ I pretty much based a whole mental routine through that experience, knowing I was left very short as an international performer in that moment. 

I rushed my preparation, I didn’t have any sort of pre-ball routine, I didn’t have any focus. And I started building my sort of ‘warrior mode’ that I call it after that. 

But I think it steeled me up to make me the competitor I am to this day and has driven me forward. 

You obviously go through massive peaks and troughs. But ultimately, I think it’s that bounce-back ability and ability to put poor days behind you because certainly . . . you have a lot more bad days than good days in cricket. You have to be able to deal with them to make sure your good days can flourish …….’’ 

In tennis, like any sport, there are highs and lows, victories and defeats. But it’s the ability to bounce back from setbacks, to learn from the bad days and to develop the resilience needed to thrive in the face of adversity. 

Embracing a “warrior mode” emphasizes the importance of incorporating pre-serve and 4-7-8 breathing rituals to reset one’s determination in overcoming setbacks during matches, ultimately allowing players to persistently seek solutions and maintain a competitive edge.

Good luck.
Rob  Tennis Whisperer

Game Changers: Mastering the Court’s Real Estate

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This week’s question comes from a mid level Badge player.  What are the optimal positions on a tennis court during a match? I often find myself in the wrong position during play.

Considering the highly sought-after nature of Manly as a real estate location, we can draw parallels to explain the relative tactical value of court positions using real estate as a simple metaphor.

1. Net Position – “Manly CBD”: The net position in tennis can be compared to a prime location in the real estate market. Being close to the net provides several advantages. Players in this position have greater control over the game, can execute quick volleys, and apply pressure on their opponents with aggressive shots. It’s a desirable location that allows players to dominate the court and dictate the pace of the game.

2. Baseline Position – “Home”: The baseline position in tennis can be likened to living at home. Being at the baseline gives players a bit more space and time to strategize and react to their opponent’s shots. It provides a solid foundation and acts as a starting point for rallies. Players in this position have a good vantage point to analyze the game, set up their shots, and patiently wait for the right opportunity to attack.

3. Mid-Court Position – “Strategic Acquistion”: The mid-court position in tennis can be compared to a strategically located investment property. Being in the mid-court gives players versatility and options. It allows players to quickly transition between defense and offense, covering more ground and maintaining control over the game. Players in this position can take advantage of opportunities and adjust their game plan based on the situation.

4. Approach Shot Position – “Emerging”: The approach shot position in tennis can be likened to a growth area in the real estate market. Being in the approach shot position provides players with the opportunity to move closer to the net and take control of the point. Players in this position can showcase their attacking skills, put pressure on their opponents, and potentially finish points with powerful winners.

5. Defensive Position – “Blue Chip”: The defensive position in tennis can be compared to a safe haven property. Being in a defensive position allows players to absorb their opponent’s shots and extend rallies. It provides a fall back option when the opponent has the upper hand, enabling players to reset and regain control of the point. Players in this position focus on consistency, precision, and strategic shot placement.

In summary: The net position represents a prime location for control and aggression, the baseline position is like the comfort of home with strategy and patience, the mid-court position is a strategically located investment property with versatility, the approach shot position is an emerging growth area with attacking opportunities, and the defensive position acts as a safe haven property for regaining control.

Good luck.
Rob  Tennis Whisperer

Where should I stand to receive serve?

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This week’s question comes from a mid level Badge player.  Where should I stand to receive serve?  If I stand too far back, I can be aced out wide particular on the forehand court. If I stand too close, I can get overpowered particularly on a big serve?

Pros employ various strategies to returning serve to neutralize the servers advantage. Medvedev/Djokovic/Nadal play a long way back, Federer/Kyrgios/Barty play closer to the baseline.

The following stats chart illustrates the variations in the “neutralizing effect of the serve” based on the returner’s position for either the forehand or backhand court and, for first and second serve. Note the huge difference in the Second Serve position where the server has lost the advantage of the first serve!

 

Ultimately, the best approach for you is the one that provides you with a long-term advantage in getting into the game and creating the opportunity to win more points.  I teach this as your “Happy Position“.

To optimize your return position and neutralize the server’s advantage, here are a few guidelines to help you find your ‘happy position’:

  1. Assess the server’s tendencies: Observe the server’s patterns, strengths, and weaknesses. Do they often go for powerful serves or rely on placement? Are they consistent with their first serves?  Flat, slice or kick second serve? This information will help you anticipate their shots and allow to adjust your position accordingly.
  2. Consider court positioning: For first serves, standing around 2 to 4 meters behind where the ball bounces in the service box is a good starting point. This allows you to have enough time to react to powerful serves while still being able to cover a wide serve on the forehand court. Standing deeper than 4 meters may make you more vulnerable to wide serves, so find a balance between depth and court coverage.
  3. Adapt to second serves: As the chart shows, second serves often offer greater opportunities for an aggressive return. Here, the optimal return positions are significantly different. Some players excel at taking the ball on the rise, while others prefer a position where the ball has dropped slightly. On average, attempting to take the ball on the rise is much more challenging for club players, so finding a comfortable position where you can consistently make solid contact is key. Experiment with different positions during practice sessions to determine what works best for you.
  4. Focus on the key third hit: Remember that the return is just the beginning of the point. Aim to hit a deep and well-placed return that puts pressure on the server. If you force a short ball on the server’s second hit (the third shot in the point), it opens up opportunities for you (or your partner) to attack with an easy volley or a strong groundstroke.
  5. Be Adaptability: Tennis is a dynamic sport, and your return position should adapt to various factors such as different opponents, court conditions, and serve styles. Stay flexible and be willing to adjust your positioning based on the specific circumstances of each match.

Find your own “happy position,” where you can consistently return the serve and get into the point. This is typically at waist height, while allowing you to move forward into the ball, and around 3 meters from where the serve bounces in the service court! And yes it changes from first to second serve, from opponent to opponent, from day to day as court conditions change!

Good luck,
Rob  Tennis Whisperer