Real Tennis Players - Like You! - Asking For, and Offering, Advice on the Sport They Love
Player to Player is USTA.com’s regular feature in which everyday tennis players are given a forum to ask advice on the sport they love – and their fellow players will dish out advice. We’ll post a number of the best responses we receive to our question of the week.
PLAYER TO PLAYER DOESN'T WORK WITHOUT YOUR QUESTIONS, so please send any queries you’d like answered, or responses to other players' questions, to Player@USTA.com.
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SEND YOUR TIPS TODAY This week's question from Santo of Santa Clara, CA | | "I need some good tips on the kick serve. I'm aware of the usual advice about brushing 7 to 1. However, I've tried this for close to two years now and I only get a moderate kick with the ball looping in. How do I improve my kick serve?" | Please share your advice with Santo by emailing Player@USTA.com and include your name and hometown. Got a question of your own? Send that along, too! | |
READ OTHER PLAYERS' ADVICE
Last week’s question from James R.
(Please note: There's no need to send additional responses to this question)
"I find that my doubles partner and I always start out slow. We really don't get into the game until we've lost the first few games or until the second set, and by that time it's almost too late. What's a good way to make sure that we are strong right from the start?"
PLAYER RESPONSES:
From Josh, Tacoma, WA
In the past I've had a similar problem with my doubles partner. I noticed it helped to immediately concentrate on the big combos that had us excelling in the beginning. Also, small things such getting your feet moving as much as possible, make them beat you, and don't try things which you don't have the skill for. Just mostly play safe until your fired up, then use your big weapons to tear them up. I hope this helped.
From Dick B., Morrisville, VT
Try to pay attention to the player you are warming up with and then talk to your partner about the strengths and weaknesses of both of your opponents. This way, not only will you develop a game plan (which you may have to alter as the match goes on) but it will focus both of you on the task at hand. After play starts talk about what's working and what isn't and make the adjustments accordingly. It sounds as though you both are not really focused on the task at hand when starting the match.
From Paul G, NC
I say, "Bad start leads to a bad finish." If you truly want to succeed and play your best tennis, you'll do what it takes (proper rest, pre-match meal, equipment in order, early arrival, proper pre-match warm up, cool-down, fresh match attire, mental match preparation/anticipation which is that positive feeling that you will get from knowing/doing everything you could to prepare yourself to play your best and to realize that results will come from this) to be ready from the start.
From Bill, Evanston, IL
Three suggestions for a doubles team:
1. Begin moving and poaching from the get-go.
2. Discuss and focus on, as a team, from the first game to the last game, the simple strategy of trying to win the first point of each game, whether serving or returning.
3. Concentrate on your team making at least two shots in a row each and every point.
From Jade L., Phoenix, AZ
My partner and I are slow starters too. The only solution that has ever worked for me is to arrive 30 minutes early, warm-up for 15 minutes, and then play a set for the remaining 15 minutes. If it is a team event I'll ask teammates to show up early so we can warm-up and play against each other - if it is a tournament you can usually find other people like you that would love to get out and start playing. At match time during the 15 minute warm-up, it now doesn't matter if your opponents are bad at warming up - you are ready to go!
From Barry, Nevada City, CA
Start with an easy plan to focus on. Your goal is to hold serve and be the first team to break. Now, focus on staying ahead and the other players may get tight and press too much. That's right where you want them.
From Curt
I get off to a slow start if I don’t have adequate time, perhaps 20 minutes, to warm up before a match. I like to find a vacant court to hit with someone or by myself if no one is available.
This is the main cause of my slow starts to a tennis match. The other reasons I can give are mental attitude when I walk on the court and making sure I am ready to play physically from the time the first ball is hit.
I always stretch and try to run a few sprints before a match begins. A key is to focus mentally on that first ball you hit and to stay focused through the remainder of the match. Think of a tennis match as a foot race. You need to be ready to run as soon as the gun sounds to start the race.
From L.S., Hawaii
Our team coach says to poach at the very first point when your partner's serving. Even if you don't even get close to the ball, the opponents will be thinking you're gonna poach on every point -- even if you never try to poach again!
*Please note that any advice given out in this forum should in no way be confused with actual medical advice. Before starting any new exercise regimen or altering your existing one, we strongly urge you to consult with your regular physician.
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