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 SSGT:
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"My partner and I have been playing doubles for four years, and he cannot stop foot faulting. I am always reminding him to step back, but I have to remind him each time he serves, which, at times, distracts me from my game. On top of that, he will not replace his outdated tennis racquet, and when we are in a tight match, his strings break, and then the pressure is on. He was even given two other racquets to use, but he just can't get away from that old racket.
quot;We do very well at the 3.5 level, only losing those close matches that we should win due to his racquet string breaking. I have been playing 4.0, also, and he cannot move up to that level, due to his foot faulting. Everyone that he knows tells him about his issues, and he does not make the adjustments. How can I help him, or is it just time for me to find a new partner? Lessons will help, as he says, but he will not do anything to change his foot-fault issues."
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Please share your advice with SSGT by e-mailing Player@USTA.com and include your name and hometown.
Got a question of your own? Send that along, too!
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READ OTHER PLAYERS' ADVICE
Last week’s question from Albert S.:
(Please note: There's no need to send additional responses to this question)
"Can anyone help me with these problems? How can I become more accurate with the placement of the backhand groundstroke? How can I improve depth on the forehand by hitting with more pace rather than with more height? How can I improve my ability to exploit an opponent’s weakness (in this case the backhand) in the course of a baseline rally?"
PLAYER RESPONSES:
From Anonymous:
I am a junior player, so I can’t help you with all of your questions, but I can help with your backhand problem.
My backhand used to be the worst shot I had, and when someone hit it to my left side, I would always lose the point, but my coach showed me a simple, yet powerful and accurate, one-handed backhand. All you have to do is take a continental grip, and as the ball is coming towards you, point the butt end to the ball and swing through. Make sure you hold with your other hand, too (around the V of the racquet).
Once you practice this enough, you'll have a very powerful swing that can get you into the tight corner zones to take advantage of position, weaknesses and strengths of your opponent.
From Kenny S., Highland Park, IL:
As for having a more consistent backhand, there are many things you can do. One would be increase the string tension on your racquet, but this would make your forehand have less power -- the lighter the tension, the more power and less control. Not lifting up on the shot, meeting the ball early and getting in the right positioning on the court can all help the backhand.
Also, make sure you do not move your head or body, keep with the shot, and make sure your swing is correct, watch pros and visualize how your shot should be.
To make the forehand have more drive and less loop, or topspin, you need to swing through the ball more and less from low to high. Also don't flick across your body; take it early and kill the ball, but don't be too wild where you hit the ball way out, or hit down, and it goes in the net.
Now. taking advantage of a person’s weak backhand. Easy enough. Grind the ball at the backhand, over and over, using power, slice, topspin. Take a short ball and approach to the backhand, setting up an easy volley.
*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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