Whitney Kraft, Director of Tennis at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, is here to answer your questions on the game of tennis in his column on USTA.com called
“Whit’s Tennis Tips." Whether you're looking for that perfect racquet, having a dispute over scoring a match, or just looking to improve your game, all you have to do is
Ask Whit.
* Please note, due to the volume of emails Whit receives, he is not able to answer every email.
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From: Brenda
Subject: Reading Opponents
Hi Whit,
I hope you can help me. I've been looking for video or print instruction on how to read opponents' shots, other than obvious lob or drop shots. Would you please be able to help me on knowing what to look for to determine whether I will be line drived or cross-courted? Staying in the middle during singles is killing me! Thanks in advance for your help!
Thanks.
Brenda
“Don’t wait in the middle unless you hit up the middle”
Reading your opponents' shots comes after understanding patterns of play and positioning.
The fundamental geometry of singles baseline to baseline rallies is diagonal… not necessarily due to percentages of physics (lower net/longer distance), but when hitting from the corners to the far corner (x-court) you don’t have to recover to the middle of the court, but remain diagonally off-center commensurately to whether and how far your shot forced the opponent to hit from the corner or beyond.
In other words, you want to position yourself in the MIDDLE OF WHERE YOU MAY HAVE TO RUN… WHICH IS NOT THE MIDDLE OF THE COURT, UNLESS YOU HIT UP THE MIDDLE
If your opponent hits up the line, you will hit from within the court width; however, if their shot is x-court, particularly with angle, you may have to run beyond the court width… get it? Once you align yourself better and try to place your shots (quality cross-courts) to make such alignments easier, reading the shots becomes secondary.
Best of Luck,
Whitney
From: Joe
Subject: Getting Hit
I play doubles with this group with varying skill level. I am a D player and playing against the As & Bs. In many occasions, while at volley, I have been getting hit in every part of my body. Is there such a thing as foul in tennis? I am beginning to feel that this is intentional, and I feel like quitting the game. I suppose this is part of the game. How can I improve my volleys against those with better skills? Or should I stay away from playing with those in the higher divisions? I suppose it's time to hire a personal coach. Thanks for listening.
Best,
Joe
Hi Joe,
No fouls, but try giving yourself more room/distance from the net and from your opponents to allow for more reaction time. As well, study doubles tactics so that you don't get caught moving forward prematurely or at the wrong time. Taking a couple volley lessons is a great idea, and practicing balls out of the air with others will assist in your development. Enjoy the challenge, and as long as better players don't mind "beating up" on you, relish the opportunity to "play up," which so many players strive to do.
Regards,
Whitney
From: Ted
Subject: Forehand on both sides
Hi Whit,
We've seen numerous top-level players, such as Santoro, play two-handed on both sides. We've also seen how effective Nadal is hitting a lefty forehand even though he is right-handed. Why is it that we've never seen a player try to hit a forehand off of both wings? Being able to hit a Nadal-like forehand off each wing seems like it would be extremely lethal.
Thanks.
Ted
Hi Ted,
The hand-switch takes too much time… would be almost impossible trying to return 120-mph serves.
As well, footwork becomes more taxing and precise, and over time a player is worn down in an attempt to set up for each and every shot in a rally. Jan Michael Gambill is probably the best example of a recent U.S. player having success on the pro level playing this style.
Regards,
Whitney