Tennis Strategy- "I am Winning."

“You live during the match, and you have strong emotions, but you don't want to get too overexcited. My body's totally flat now. I cannot move anymore. I'm totally exhausted, just because of the tension out there.”  Roger Federer

Winning a tennis match feels more important than it is because players are genetically wired to compete for position on the social hierarchy. The emotions of a tennis match resemble those of a fight. Players may realize that winning a match doesn’t really matter, but they will always want to win anyway.

No matter what level of tennis competition you are, you'll fare best if you focus on having fun and improving your game, not on whether you win. Part of improving is learning how to win, but you should be happier about losing a match in which you played well against a better opponent than winning a match in which you played poorly.

1. Stick with the same game plan that got you the lead; however be aware of your opponent strategy.
2. Do not let your mind wander. Tennis is more difficult mentally than most other sports. Because of its one-on-one personal nature, it feels more important than it is. Competitive matches can become highly stressful, and losing is painful.
3. “I am winning, doesn’t mean, “I won,” keep fighting. Your emotions will dramatically affect your tennis performance.
4. Do not argue over line calls.
5. Do not think about the score. Most players become nervous and stressed when they are ahead and face the finishing the match against a dangerous opponent. The closer players get to winning, the greater the stress.
6. Play one point at a time, stay in the present.
7. Take nothing for granted.
8. Do not argue or make your opponent mad.
9. Get a high percentage of first serves; this will keep the pressure on.
10. Being optimistic is always helpful during competition. If it does not occur naturally you can become more optimistic by focusing on the real positives that exist in every situation.

Tips when you are playing so badly during the match

Tennis Frustration on the court.

“When you lose a couple of times, it makes you realize how difficult it is to win.” Steffi Graf. 

It happened with all the players when they up and down during the match, meaning they are playing badly or they are winning. Fight- you may not be playing well, however you can control how well you compete. Everyone has frustration problems with anything they take seriously. But the main thing you can do is when you hit a bad shot or a double fault, whatever, you have to have a really short memory and just put it out of your head. All of the good pros learn to manage their anger, disappointment and frustration.

Here are some tips from me what to do when you are playing so badly on during the match:

-It is OK that does not mean that you are going to lose the match.

-You have to be more focus on watching the ball hit your strings.

Flavia Penetta of Italy shows her frustration.

-Move, as long as the ball is in play.

-Keep your feet moving all the time.

-Slow down, take your time and go to your towel between points.

-Relax, take deep breathes, keep your head in the match and play one point at a time.

-Do not think about the score, just play point; between points and change-over visualize you hitting good shots.

-Believe that your hard work will pay off and don't worry too much.

-You absolutely cannot be mentally weak when you play a sport seriously. If you beat yourself mentally, you will never beat anyone physically.

-Meditation before you play, yoga, do your own routines, can help you. But your main problem is focus if you are getting angry at yourself.

Tennis Tips Against Pusher Player

Arthur Ashe

“The ideal attitude is to be physically loose and mentally tight.” Arthur Ashe.

All great tennis players dedicate their time, bodies, and hearts to the sport as they review and perfect every aspect of their game. They also have another common quality: A hatred for “pushers,” players who consistently keep the ball in play without much pace.

What is a Pusher? Pushers generally don’t have any big weapon to use on the court. They can hit groundstrokes, decent volleys, and run-of-the-mill serves. They typically don’t have amazing speed, but they cover enough of the court to keep the ball in play. Overall, their game is unbelievably average.

Before you try to blow your pushing opponent off the court with big serves and great winners, analyze the pusher’s game plan. Respect the pusher, but do not push back. Pushers do not pass well, so come in and hit angle volleys, watch out for lobs. Do not wait on the ball, go get it, do not blast; mix your serves, hit kick, flat, slice to all areas of the service box.

More info of Arthur Ashe: http://www.biography.com/people/arthur-ashe-9190544

Pushers focus on keeping the ball in play along .Their consistence normally drives their opponents crazy. Even if the pusher appears to be slow or out of shape, they seem to return every shot you hit their way. Dictate the pace of play, play at your speed.  Do not let your opponent see you get mad or frustrated, stay positive.

Pushers utilize a variety of spin types, as they slice balls in the corners of the court and hit tough backspin shots. Play your game, but be very patient with it. Be willing to hit extra shots in every rally. Pushers force you out of your comfort zone and commonly frustrate players to the point that they try to smash every shot for a quick winner. Be willing to stay on the court all day if necessary.

Pre Match Checklist and Tennis Strategy during the match

Serena Williams emotions after winning her first match at the
Wimbledon 2011 

Each player has their own routine and strategies before and during the game. I would like to share with my routine and things I do before and during the game. First of all, you should have a game plan, what are their strengths and weaknesses. I have my pre-match routine, from the time you wake up to the time of the match, such things like: what you eat, what are you wearing, how many times you bounced the ball before you start your serve, how you folder your towel while you switching the sides and many more. You have to leave your expectations at home. Believe in yourself; don’t worry about the outcome of the match; warm up prior to going on the court for your match and exploit your opponent’s weaknesses. After the warm up you should have a good idea of their weaknesses.

You have to start hydrating your body and get plenty of sleep two days prior to competition; eat a carbohydrate meal at least two hours before playing. You don’t want to cramp during the match and be tired after the first set.  Players should visualize themselves playing great, if they see themselves doing it. They can do it.

“Champions keep playing until they get it right.” Billie Jean King.

Gael Monfils after his 5 hours marathon match

Players have to fight and enjoy the competition with great footwork during the points. No matter if you are winning or losing stay positive, play one point at a time.  Keep the mind on your court, not on the court next to you or who is watching in the stands. Good players can control the tempo of the match; they do not get too excited on winners and do not get upset on un-forced errors.

Remember, the most important point of the match is the one that you are playing now, stay in present and enjoy yourself being on the court. 

Tennis Footwork

Tennis Footwork is an important part of the game of tennis.

“If you don’t practice you don’t deserve to win.” Andre Agassi.

Footwork is a huge part of the game of tennis. The better your footwork the better tennis player you can be. Players do not need be quick to have good footwork. Although speed can help, you can still be very effective and cover a lot of the court without being extremely fast as long as you have good footwork. Correct footwork can help you to cover more court, recover quicker after shots and help you prepare for the next shot.

Footwork Quick Tips

1. Split Step. The split step is the first reaction to every shot you must return. The split step is a when you jump up an inch or two onto your toes as your opponent is about to hit his/her shot. The body position keeps you off of your heels and ready to move quickly to any position of the court. The split step should be used when you are returning serves, ground strokes, volleys and when you are approaching the net for a volley.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC4YC-uNACY

2.  Shuffle. When hitting ground strokes, foot work is important. You need to get back to the middle of the baseline after you hit each shot. The shuffle allows you to stay focused on your opponent while he/she is hitting the ball. The shuffle also allows you to stop quickly and change directions to retrieve a ball that might be hit on the direction you originally were moving from.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_G4qGc2Zdk&feature=fvst

3. Never stop running for a ball. Give yourself a chance; you might be faster than you think.

4. Take a split step right before your opponent hits each shot.

5. Take smaller steps to adjust to each ball hit to you.

6. Move up to short balls early to be more aggressive with your shots.

7. Return to the center of the court immediately after each shot you hit.

8. Step into your shots and keep your weight moving forward.

9. Watch the pros and study how they move their feet and what they do before, during and after they hit each shot. Some great examples to study are Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Kim Clijsters and etc…

Exercises for Become Quicker: 1. Sprints  2.  General Running  3. Jump Rope  4. Lungeshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC4YC-uNACY