Practice with Purpose: 5 Ways to Improve Your Tennis Game Faster

1. Practice with Purpose

Many players practice without a clear goal, hitting balls without focusing on specific aspects of their game. This leads to developing bad habits that carry over into matches. To improve faster, plan your practice sessions with clear objectives. Focus on specific skills or techniques, and ensure each practice has a purpose.

Here’s an example of a structured practice session:

• 15-20 minutes of rallying: Start with forehand to forehand, backhand to backhand, and include some volley to volley drills.
• Points out of hand: Feed the ball to the middle and play out the point, focusing on groundstrokes and net play without the serve and return.
• Serve practice: Spend 5-10 minutes hitting serves, possibly with a partner returning them.
• Game play: Play games or sets, using your serve and return to simulate match conditions.

2. Play More Matches

Playing matches is crucial for improvement. Matches expose weaknesses that you can then focus on in practice. Don’t shy away from competition; seek out challenging matches and tournaments. Analyze your performance, especially after losses, to understand what needs work and how to improve.

3. Hire a Tennis Coach

A good coach provides personalized instruction tailored to your weaknesses. To find a good coach, ask for recommendations, observe coaches during lessons, and evaluate their teaching style. A coach who consistently motivates and instructs well, even without an audience, is likely dedicated to their students’ improvement.

4. Improve Your Footwork, Fitness, and Serve

Good footwork and fitness are essential for effective tennis. Work on footwork drills, skipping, ladder exercises, and interval training to boost your fitness and court movement. Additionally, prioritize practicing your serve. Spend 10 minutes before or after each practice session working on your serve to accumulate valuable practice time over weeks and months.

5. Learn from the Best

Study professional matches and players. Focus on their techniques, footwork, and strategies. Watching matches in slow motion can reveal details you might miss in real-time. Analyze how top players execute shots, move on the court, and handle different situations. This knowledge can greatly enhance your understanding and performance.

Conclusion

By practicing with purpose, playing more matches, hiring a good coach, improving your footwork, fitness, and serve, and learning from the best, you can significantly accelerate your improvement. Implement these five strategies and you might find yourself reaching new heights in your tennis game.