I expect that this, my first piece will be found useful by both novices and experts alike in the tennis world. I am trying to arouse interest in the student of the game of tennis by a somewhat lengthy discussion of match play, which I hope will cast a new light on the sport of tennis.
I will turn to the beginner in my opening article and write of certain things which are second nature to the experienced tennis player. The best tennis equipment is not a lot of use for the novice even if he really wants to succeed. Nevertheless, one has to purchase good quality; it is a saving eventually, as high quality goods far outlasts poor quality gear.
It is important to always dress in tennis attire when playing tennis. The question of choosing a tennis racquet is a much more serious matter. I do not advise forcing a certain make of racquet upon any player, since all the famous makes are excellent. However, it is on the weight, balance, and size of handle that the real value of a racquet frame depends, while good stringing is essential to get optimum results.
I will turn to the beginner in my opening article and write of certain things which are second nature to the experienced tennis player. The best tennis equipment is not a lot of use for the novice even if he really wants to succeed. Nevertheless, one has to purchase good quality; it is a saving eventually, as high quality goods far outlasts poor quality gear.
It is important to always dress in tennis attire when playing tennis. The question of choosing a tennis racquet is a much more serious matter. I do not advise forcing a certain make of racquet upon any player, since all the famous makes are excellent. However, it is on the weight, balance, and size of handle that the real value of a racquet frame depends, while good stringing is essential to get optimum results.
After having bought your racquet, make a firm resolve to buy only good tennis balls, as a regular bounce is a great aid to advancement, while a "dead" ball is of no use at all. If you really want to succeed at the game and progress rapidly, I strongly urge you to see all the good tennis you can. Study the play of the leading players and strive to copy their strokes. Read all the tennis instruction books you can get your hands on. They are a great help.
It is surprising to many people that more tennis can be picked up off the tennis court in the study of theory and in watching the best players in action, than can ever be learned in one's own actual play. I do not advise that you should miss opportunities to play tennis, far from it. Play tennis whenever possible, but try when playing to put into practice the theories you have read about or the strokes you have seen.
Do not allow yourself to become discouraged by slow progress. The manner of playing some stroke you have worked at over weeks in vain, will suddenly come to you when least expected. Good tennis players are the result of hard work. Very few players are born geniuses at the game. Tennis is a game that pays you dividends all your life. A tennis racquet is a letter of introduction in any town.
The fellowship of the game is universal, since none but a fit sportsman can succeed in the game for any long period of time. Tennis provides relaxation, excitement, exercise, and pure enjoyment to the player who is tied hard to his job until late afternoon.
The following order of development produces the quickest and most lasting results: 1. Concentration on the game. 2. Keep the eye on the ball. 3. Foot-work and weight-control. 4. Strokes. 5. Court position. 6. Court generalship or match play. 7. Tennis psychology.
Concentration. Tennis is played primarily with the mind. The most perfect racquet technique invented will not be enough if the directing mind is wandering. There are many causes of a wandering mind in a tennis match. The main one is loss of interest in the game. No one should play tennis with any hope of real success unless he cares sufficiently about the game to be willing to do the spadework necessary to learn the game properly.
Jack it in right now if you are not willing to work very hard. The weather, conditions of play or the murmurs in the gallery usually bewilder even very experienced match-players playing in new surroundings. Complete and utter concentration
It is surprising to many people that more tennis can be picked up off the tennis court in the study of theory and in watching the best players in action, than can ever be learned in one's own actual play. I do not advise that you should miss opportunities to play tennis, far from it. Play tennis whenever possible, but try when playing to put into practice the theories you have read about or the strokes you have seen.
Do not allow yourself to become discouraged by slow progress. The manner of playing some stroke you have worked at over weeks in vain, will suddenly come to you when least expected. Good tennis players are the result of hard work. Very few players are born geniuses at the game. Tennis is a game that pays you dividends all your life. A tennis racquet is a letter of introduction in any town.
The fellowship of the game is universal, since none but a fit sportsman can succeed in the game for any long period of time. Tennis provides relaxation, excitement, exercise, and pure enjoyment to the player who is tied hard to his job until late afternoon.
The following order of development produces the quickest and most lasting results: 1. Concentration on the game. 2. Keep the eye on the ball. 3. Foot-work and weight-control. 4. Strokes. 5. Court position. 6. Court generalship or match play. 7. Tennis psychology.
Concentration. Tennis is played primarily with the mind. The most perfect racquet technique invented will not be enough if the directing mind is wandering. There are many causes of a wandering mind in a tennis match. The main one is loss of interest in the game. No one should play tennis with any hope of real success unless he cares sufficiently about the game to be willing to do the spadework necessary to learn the game properly.
Jack it in right now if you are not willing to work very hard. The weather, conditions of play or the murmurs in the gallery usually bewilder even very experienced match-players playing in new surroundings. Complete and utter concentration
The fellowship of the game is universal, since none but a fit sportsman can succeed in the game for any long period of time. Tennis provides relaxation, excitement, exercise, and pure enjoyment to the player who is tied hard to his job until late afternoon.
The following order of development produces the quickest and most lasting results: 1. Concentration on the game. 2. Keep the eye on the ball. 3. Foot-work and weight-control. 4. Strokes. 5. Court position. 6. Court generalship or match play. 7. Tennis psychology.
Concentration. Tennis is played primarily with the mind. The most perfect racquet technique invented will not be enough if the directing mind is wandering. There are many causes of a wandering mind in a tennis match. The main one is loss of interest in the game. No one should play tennis with any hope of real success unless he cares sufficiently about the game to be willing to do the spadework necessary to learn the game properly.
Jack it in right now if you are not willing to work very hard. The weather, conditions of play or the murmurs in the gallery usually bewilder even very experienced match-players playing in new surroundings. Complete and utter concentration on the game is the only cure for an erring mind, and the quicker that lesson is learned the quicker the advancement of the player.
The surest way to keep a match in focus is to try for every set, every game in the set, every point in the game and, eventually, every shot in the point. A set is just a collection of made and missed shots, and the man who misses the least is the ultimate winner.
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The following order of development produces the quickest and most lasting results: 1. Concentration on the game. 2. Keep the eye on the ball. 3. Foot-work and weight-control. 4. Strokes. 5. Court position. 6. Court generalship or match play. 7. Tennis psychology.
Concentration. Tennis is played primarily with the mind. The most perfect racquet technique invented will not be enough if the directing mind is wandering. There are many causes of a wandering mind in a tennis match. The main one is loss of interest in the game. No one should play tennis with any hope of real success unless he cares sufficiently about the game to be willing to do the spadework necessary to learn the game properly.
Jack it in right now if you are not willing to work very hard. The weather, conditions of play or the murmurs in the gallery usually bewilder even very experienced match-players playing in new surroundings. Complete and utter concentration on the game is the only cure for an erring mind, and the quicker that lesson is learned the quicker the advancement of the player.
The surest way to keep a match in focus is to try for every set, every game in the set, every point in the game and, eventually, every shot in the point. A set is just a collection of made and missed shots, and the man who misses the least is the ultimate winner.
About the Author:
If you are a beginner tennis player or are interested in tennis apparel, please visit our site entitled Tennis Tips for Beginners. Free reprint available from: The Fundamentals of Tennis..