Tennis TNT - tips-n-tricks -

by Donna Eads

There is so little time, yet so many options for 2023 are waiting for us all. Living close to both Las Vegas and Indian Wells, California, options cannot get any better. The month of March offers two events to watch world-class tennis. The first is The Slam, featuring a match between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcatraz, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 5, 2023—buy tickets at www.axs.com. Or travel to Indian Wells, California, to “Experience Tennis Paradise”—the event better known as the BNP Paribas Open, which is from March 6–19, 2023. This tournament is considered to be the west coast U.S. Open by most players. Make your plans early.

Two tennis greats have retired in the past year—Serena Williams and Roger Federer—both of whom many consider to be GOATs (Greatest of All Time). Both are noted to have changed tennis with their skills—examples include Serena’s powerful and aggressive play and Roger’s dance-like movement around the court. As club players, we can learn from both styles. Tennis is a very physical game but also an art. Women’s play had to catch up with the power of the Williams sisters. It did at times, but not quite. Men’s play had to learn to focus on more than power and to find a way to win by using skill and thought.

To reach these ends ourselves, we can look at the need to move forward when it’s possible to take a ball early by hitting it in the air. This method will put your opponent on defense and will make it difficult to respond. During a doubles match, when possible, hit the ball out of the air so you take time away from the other team. Use that Serena power and aggressive play.

Look for the soft touch of a drop shot after you have your opponent pushed to the back of the court. Follow up with a lob, or close in for the weak return for the winning shot. Move as if you are in a ballroom. Use the Roger movement and channel his tennis IQ.

Both of these champions know that hard work and practice made them the best in the world. Additionally, they know of the mental focus that makes it all work so that they win. A tennis point is usually scored in only around 45 seconds to a minute, but one must focus on the outcome. So, envision the point and plan for it. Adjust when needed, but have a plan. Many players think they cannot lose when up 40–love, so they relax, and guess what happens? No plan means no winning.

Tennis is like all sports where mental practice is as important as physical. Multiple studies show that players who practice mentally do better than those who only do physical practice. One example is a study that was done regarding basketball. Players who practiced daily to make baskets did not perform as well as those who replayed the baskets in their minds. So your mental game is as important as your physical one. Think about where you are placing the serve or shot and your chances go up!

A trick to try is hitting to one side of the court at least three times and then dropping the shot to the other side. You might win the point!

See you on the courts!