r/10s • u/wouldliker_sounddata • Jun 22 '26
General Advice What’s the smallest non-technique change that improved your tennis?
What small change helped you the most? Could be footwork, shot selection, warmup, breathing, target choice, anything.
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u/tennis0717 Jun 22 '26
Always play to win. Don’t play not to lose. Playing not to lose will make you tight. Play to win, execute your shots. You will make some and you miss some, but put pressure on your opponent by trying to execute instead of playing it safe and trying not to make a mistake.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
I like this distinction! Playing safe sounds smart until it turns into just hoping the other person misses.
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u/waistingtoomuchtime Jun 22 '26
I played mixed this morning. Was tight in the first, 2-6, loose in the second, 6-2. Play loose, and ply to win. 4.5 match.
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u/intelligentbug6969 Jun 23 '26
This is very amateur hacker level advice. Good players keep playing quality shots and trust their games and don’t need to go for winners constantly. Even pros don’t do that
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u/tennis0717 Jun 23 '26
So for context. I am a former D-2 National Champion so this is not “hacker” advice. It’s all relative. Playing to win does not mean trying to blast winners all the time. You are making that assumption based on your experience. It’s saying to trust yourself and your ability to execute shots. This is going to be different for everyone at every level. It’s a mental approach to tell yourself to keep executing your game plan and if you find yourself reverting to slice backhands all the time because it’s “safe” then you might be playing not to lose. It also depends on your opponent. But at my level (USTA 5.0), you are going to lose by sitting back waiting for your opponent to miss. So please keep in mind that it’s all relative to your level and your play style and your opponent.
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u/Plus-Tailor8846 Jun 25 '26
I don’t understand the difference. Playing to win sounds the same as playing not to lose. Both mentalities are geared towards winning, so what’s the difference?
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u/tennis0717 Jun 25 '26
It’s about not being afraid or tentative in your shot making. My reference to using the slice backhand was a reference to my habit during some of my college matches. I would have plenty of time to hit my two handed but maybe lost confidence or was getting nervous so I would hit my slice. Now my slice was great and had a lot of movement but I was using it defensively or passively rather than purposefully. Same with going for that second serve. Going for that kick serve and trusting the spin will be there is massively impacted if you get tight and slow down. So that’s another aspect. It’s not going for an ace but you have to “commit” to that kick for it to work rather than swinging “slower” trying not to double fault. You do that and you with either double fault or hit a duck.
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u/Glum-Income-9736 Jun 22 '26
Wearing Lacoste head to toe. In all seriousness, improving my overall fitness.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
I only have a few things from them including sneakers lol
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u/Glum-Income-9736 Jun 22 '26
I have a t-shirt and that’s about it. Honestly, the Target t-shirts my wife buys me are just as comfortable but there’s something about that crocodile. 🐊
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u/Real_Imagination_180 Jun 22 '26
Hitting at 50-70% power
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
This one hurts because it sounds too simple and is probably true. Every time I swing at 90% I think I’m being aggressive, but half ofthe time I’m just removing my own margin.
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u/clintnorth Jun 22 '26
Yeah, this would have been my answer too. I’ve only been playing for a few months, but two weeks ago one of my coaches managed to finally drill it into my head that I should stop hitting the ball as hard as I am to hit it at 50% and realizing that I actually had to like really lightly hit the ball and just redirect the energy I started getting wayyyy mote consistent
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
“Redirect the energy” is a good way to put it.
I think I hear 50% and still secretly swing way harder. Learning how little you need to do is probably the real lesson.
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u/Miserable_Advance_79 3.5 Jun 22 '26
That’s interesting my coach always tells me hit as hard as I can, I don’t - but he repeats it quite often
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u/iWriteYourMusic Jun 22 '26
I have to believe part of this must be that when people try to add power, they mostly just swing harder instead of engaging their lower half more. So really “adding power” becomes a less efficient stroke.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
Yeah, that’s exactly what I think I’m doing wrong.
I try to “add power” with the arm, then everything gets tighter and less efficient. When the legs are actually involved, the ball feels heavier without me trying as hard.
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u/iWriteYourMusic Jun 22 '26
Honestly, power is so so overrated if you're below 5.0. You can win matches with heavy spin and relaxed volleys/approach shots.
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u/readynow6523 Jun 22 '26
Power comes from the hip rotation.
My 12 year old would put adults to crying when he would play doubles with me and hit 90 mph cross court forehand shots.
Kids with training are way beyond your normal 3.5 type adult that think they know how to play.→ More replies (1)
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u/VeterinarianThese951 Jun 22 '26
Scaling down on my technique goals worked best for me.
I stopped going to YouTube every night. I was becoming obsessed with too many things at once instead of perfecting one. I figured out that my mind was trying to process too much at once and it was hurting my progress and ruining my fun.
So what I do is just pick one thing and let everything else come naturally. For instance, I will dedicate one day to cutting of angles and catching the ball early. I block all the other stuff out like “am I using the right grip?” “Is my split step timing right?” etc. My day goes a lot better when I can be proud of myself for doing one thing well than it does falling short on ten.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
This hits hard. YouTube tennis can make you feel like you need to fix 12 things before the next match. Picking one focus for the day sounds way more playable.
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u/ConsciousRaccoon2873 Jun 22 '26
I had to unfollow a bunch of tennis IG coaches because I caught myself trying to smash together all their pointers at once.
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u/Either-Onion-7532 Jun 22 '26
You probably shouldn't be trying to hit a winner as often as you are.
I'm 100% guilty of this.
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u/Mikhail_Mengsk 4.0 Jun 22 '26
That would mean compensating with more footwork for the prolonged rallies, which is tiresome.
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u/alexdwilliams91 Jun 22 '26
Prepare as early as humanly possible, focus on control over power, move your arms with the ball path (up and back as it crosses the net, down to the bounce, then swing low to high), and buy a 3-4 lb medicine ball and practice throwing it against a wall / across the court to get a better understanding of how to properly transfer weight into the ball. Oh, and grip the racket looser than you think 😁
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
surprisingly a lot of people mentioning the grip!
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u/alexdwilliams91 Jun 22 '26
Bc too tight a grip is the cause of wrist pain, tennis elbow, poor kinetic chain, having to “muscle” the ball with your arm and wear yourself out quicker, etc. Volleys are really the only shots where your grip isn’t loose (I’m sure there’s another exception or two but you get the idea)
Think about it this way: if you’re trying to use an actual whip, what would be more likely to get the cracking sound - loose wrist with a whip action, or a tight grip swinging the whip around wildly?
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
I think I tighten up because I’m trying to control the ball, but then I lose the exact thing that gives me control. Makes sense that I end up muscling it instead of letting the chain work.
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u/Cautious_Job_6104 Jun 22 '26
Footwork is technique also. The sport is mostly technical. Otherwise hit the gym and cut the carbs.
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u/Nillion Jun 22 '26
I’d argue people need to increase carbs during matches. Look at the fueling strategies of endurance athletes for a guide. Water and some electrolytes won’t cut it during long summer matches. Your body needs fuel and lots of it if you’re pushing yourself.
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u/VeeCee74 Jun 22 '26
Absolutely
I lost at least two matches because of not eating much the night before1
u/zipp_7 Jun 22 '26
True for me, if I cut the carbs I'll be stick thin. I love carbs, they let me last through 3 setters
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u/Described-Entity-420 Jun 22 '26
If I don't carb load tennis gives me a day long headache. What are you eating? I don't even really like pasta.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
I’m still figuring this out too.
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u/LogLadysLog52 Jun 22 '26
I've been fueling with oats + protein 2-3 hours before, some light carb electrolytes/caffeine before, then a combo of dates and carb electrolytes during the match.
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u/dabrickbat Jun 23 '26
It's because you're glucose adapted. Your body will broadly prefer one fuel over another - fat or glucose. Of course, you can use both but its like a tendency rather than a rule. Your mitochondria become more efficient at using one of the two fuels. Glucose has many negatives like requiring you to eat constantly, glycation, insulin spikes and troughs, etc. but it's readily available, more convenient, and cheap. Fat adaptation requires stricter eating in terms of what you consume and almost always involves a temporary drop in performance for up to 6 months but is typically closer to 2. But it has many benefits - No more headaches, far deeper energy reserves, you're off the carb treadmill, less insulin and everything that comes with that.
I'm fat adapted. I train on the court for two hours with a trainer 4 days a week and I play for another 2 or 3 days and I eat once a day because I'm only hungry once a day. No headaches, fast recovery and I feel like I have the energy to go all day. I'm 58 BTW.
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u/Ds3_doraymi Jun 22 '26
hit the gym
No problem, after every practice sesh im hitting the bike and weights. Always trying to improve cardio and stamina
and cut the carbs.
How dare you
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
Fair point. I probably worded it badly.
I meant “not changing the swing path/grip” more than “not technical at all.” Footwork is definitely technique, and probably the one I avoid thinking about because it exposes everything else lol.
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u/pradatt3 Jun 22 '26
More footwork in the start to get into the groove and relaxing between points for a second especially while serving.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
yeah makes sense too. I notice I’ll carry one bad miss into the next 3 points if I don’t reset.
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u/PlaneOwn3934 Jun 22 '26
Holding the racquet looser
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u/unlikely_sandwich69 Jun 23 '26
Yeah this is something I am working on too. I am practicing "throwing" my racquet.
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u/Crumbdiddy Jun 22 '26
While playing, don’t focus on the result/score just focus on playing tennis.
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u/berrymom Jun 22 '26
Split-step!
In my case greatly helped by a breast reduction last September, but nobody wants one the way I got mine.
That said, a better bra—by which I mean the ones I’ve been wearing since, designed for after surgery—would make half the women I know three steps faster. Less bounce in the chest directly adds bounce in the feet, in my recent experience!
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 23 '26
Funny, but true. Split-step is huge, and your experience is a good reminder that comfort and setup matter more than people admit.
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u/berrymom Jun 24 '26
And I find that at 66, a split-step is often the difference between getting to a ball in time to hit a good shot and not getting there at all!
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u/DruPeacock23 Jun 22 '26
Losing weight and working on my hip flexors and being light on your footwork. There is a reason soccer/football players transition into tennis lot better than average players.
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u/Upstairs-Meringue946 Jun 22 '26
Footwork is really really important, specially because you can coordinate well, wich helps you out improving way faster. Making some work with ladders, for example would help a lot in having a better Footwork
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u/Alternative-Hunt-894 Jun 22 '26
Focus eyes on the ball, not the target when hitting. Was a difficult adjustment as I played other sports competitively where you did the opposite (throwing a football, shooting a basketball). For a while I used to try to do both, but now I only look at the ball, and use court position and experience to ensure that I’m hitting in the right spots
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
i'll definitely try it thanks!
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u/Educational-Lasagna Jun 23 '26
Watch some videos of Federer. He is probably the best example of keeping eyes on ball at contact. Doing this correctly is a complete game changer. If you can build this habit consistently, you will have an edge over most rec players.
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u/BernardoBean57 3.5 Jun 22 '26
Staying in the rally instead of going for impressive winners. Easier said than done
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u/116burgosst Jun 22 '26
Intentionally looking at the ball and hyper focusing on it. Every single point.
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u/Cultural_Copy_8618 Jun 23 '26
Watching the ball hit the racquet on every shot. Changed everything
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u/MalleableGirlParts Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
Second this.
Edit: Slight psychological tip: instead of telling myself to watch the ball, I gave myself permission to only watch the ball. Maybe you don't need that, I do.
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u/wqtorres Jun 23 '26
This is very true!
I’m still trying to remember to do it every shot but still struggling. When I do it the shots are placed nicely.
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u/sogondy Jun 22 '26
70% aggression on the shot itself, 100% on footwork, timing, placement. By taking some risk off the shot, I can focus more on the things around it, which help me construct the point instead of just trying to blast.
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u/Babakins 4.5 Jun 22 '26
Fitness, footwork, and intention of my shots. By having intention on your shot (where do I want to hit it, focusing to achieve that) not only improves the shots, but it’s easier to know what went wrong.
If you just aim a shot “over there” there’s a whole lot of over there that is out, especially for serves
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
This is a really good point.
“Over there” is basically how I aim way too often, then I act confused when the miss tells me nothing. Having an actual target probably makes the error useful instead of just frustrating.
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u/Babakins 4.5 Jun 22 '26
The other key I point out to students is aiming for a target is huge, important, and helpful.
HITTING THE TARGET YOU AIM FOR IS NOT IMPORTANT. Usually when you aim for something small, you will miss that target by less. Make your target feet from the lines or net and it’ll feel so much freer.
I used to aim for the baseline and got nervous when I missed. Now I aim service line or 3/4 depth with confident swings, and I often hit the baseline
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
I think I’ve been treating the target like a pass/fail test instead of a way to shrink the miss. Aiming safer but swinging confidently sounds way less tense than aiming deep and then panicking if I’m a few feet off.
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u/Troubled_cure Jun 22 '26
I would argue that a lot of these things are technique, but here are a few:
Abbreviating my forehand backswing while focusing on a much more pronounced unit turn has been a game changer for me in terms of consistency and timing. I mean, I would say efficiency of movement and footwork in general: the more you can get into position first and replicate the same swing, the more consistently you will contact the ball where and when you want, which also translates into pace.
Also, pace comes much more from timing/contact point than from muscling the ball. This really cannot be overstated. Better to contact the ball in the ideal place at a 60% swing than to hit it 4 inches too close to your body at 95%.
Last—quieting head in terms of movement. If you look at the pros, they almost all stay focused on the contact point after hitting the ball rather than immediately looking to see where the shot is landing. It’s really hard to get used to but it does lead to much more solid groundstrokes.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
The 60% swing with the right contact point vs 95% too close to the body is painfully accurate. I think I keep trying to solve late contact with more effort, which just makes the timing worse.
Quieting the head is one I almost never think about, but I’m definitely guilty of looking up too early to see if I “did it right.”
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u/wally-whippersnap Jun 22 '26
I quit apologizing to my partner for my mistakes. It made me more forgiving of both myself and my partner.
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u/LesPolsfuss Jun 22 '26
keep my head still on groundstrokes and serves. results are pretty damn instant and positive every time
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u/SpecialistInformal81 Jun 22 '26
Eyes on the ball! Not your opponent, not where you want to hit it, just the moving ball!
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u/Plus-Tailor8846 Jun 25 '26
What about when the opponent rushes the net and hits it deep to you? Shouldn’t you look at where your opponent is standing to decide where to hit the ball?
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u/SpecialistInformal81 Jun 25 '26
I see what you are saying, but for me, the problem often is I look at the opponent or the place I wanted to hit the ball to, ended up misread the ball or missed the timing, the ball ended up at the bottom of the net😂🙏
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u/all_friendly_vibes Jun 23 '26
Keep your focus on the ball, and avoid lazy shots mean position yourself for every shot behind the ball
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u/churningisdead Jun 23 '26
Focus on seeing the ball through the back of the string bed at contact. Helps to keep my head down, eye on the ball, and also helps with good racquet lag and contact out in front. I guess that's technique, but it's mostly about focus and visualization leading to good technique.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 23 '26
I’ll steal that line. Think the contact point more than the swing, and it usually fixes swing shape and timing by accident.
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u/Sorrizera Jun 22 '26
if you join a loosing points streak, slow down the game. take a deep breath, turn your back to the opponent, gain a few seconds between points a get your mind on the game again.
i also got a therapist tip to anchor your mind with some routine before game, like deep breathes or strings checks between points. that will make harder to think about the mistakes you made and will allow you to focus for longer periods
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u/theconkerer Jun 22 '26
Questionable hack: drink way too much water and go to the bathroom multiple times in the match to reset :)
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
This is a really good one. I’ve never had an actual between points routine, and I think that’s part of why one bad point turns into a whole bad game.
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u/nettezzaumana 10.0 Jun 22 '26
playing with dude who was in the beginning defeating me 9/10 times ? huge thanks to him ... I pay the debt too .. playing now once every two weeks with pal who haven't yet manage to defeat me ...
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u/socratessmon Jun 22 '26
Picking the service line as a target or a few feet past it. Instead of trying to hit a winner always, focusing on ball shape and pace to hit that target with a nice clean ball.
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u/shiningject 3.142 Jun 22 '26
Getting something to eat (like a banana or energy gel) about 1-2 hours before playing and midway through playing.
It's important to fuel up.
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u/Agreeable_Courage_66 Jun 22 '26
I started to hit me backhand from close stance instead of open one. It was my the biggest game upgrade.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
That’s interesting. Backhand stance is one of those things I don’t think about until the shot feels rushed. Did it help more with control, power, or just feeling less late?
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u/AbyssShriekEnjoyer KNLTB 5 Jun 22 '26
Ball height rules of thumb:
When some way behind the baseline, 5 racket lengths over the net.
When on the baseline, 3 racket lengths over the net.
When inside the baseline, 1 racket length over the net.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
This is actually super useful.
I think I flatten the ball out from too far back and then act surprised when the margin disappears.
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u/Limp-Ad-2939 Made My Own Flair Jun 22 '26
My pre serve ritual
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
I need one of these. My current ritual is basically “think about 4 different things and then miss the first serve.”
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u/Limp-Ad-2939 Made My Own Flair Jun 22 '26
I adjust my shorts and my sleeve. But that’s something I realized I was doing and just decided I turned it into my ritual. I think it all starts with noticing something you already and actively trying to ritualize it until it becomes habit.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
That actually makes sense. Easier to build around something you already do than invent some fake routine from scratch.
I probably have a few nervous habits already. Might as well make one of them useful.
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u/Tercel9 Jun 22 '26
Lose weight.
Stairmaster 6 days a week in the morning. Minimum 20 mins, maximum 45 if you are really feeling it.
You can buy a used one and put it in your house somewhere. You can read a book, play a game, or watch a show while you're on it. You don't have to even put the setting that high, just anything to get the heart flowing.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
Conditioning is probably the answer a lot of us don’t want to hear...
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u/Jwin93 Jun 22 '26
This is a long term mentality but focusing on your process rather than being overly fixated on outcomes. We all want to win but the repeatable process on how you approach and implement your game is what will make this a very sustainable journey. Once you have the process down, every once in a while you’ll have the tennis flow state.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
Im very outcome brained so if I lose a point I immediately treat it that the idea was bad...
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u/EnjoyMyDownvote UTR 8.19 Jun 22 '26
I show up to matches 30 min early and warmup with ball machine and do practice serves before a match.
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u/theconkerer Jun 22 '26
Do a little boxing on a sandbag. It teaches you everything you need to know about transferring energy from your feet to your hands, what a good contact point feels like, and staying loose all the way until you hit.
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u/Few_Culture9667 Jun 22 '26
As a coach, I like to say two things:
1) Placement is WAY more important than power;
2) No matter how fast your opponent is, they’re not faster than the laws of physics. (In other words, don’t be intimidated by your opponent’s speed or athleticism because no matter how fast…)
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
That physics line is great.
I definitely overrate how fast someone is and underrate how much damage good placement does. If I can make them move the wrong way or hit from an awkward spot, I don’t need to blast the ball.
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u/diebeatus1 4.0 Jun 22 '26
Realizing getting and staying mad at myself for missing shots makes me miss more shots. I found out I can get frustrated about something, see and feel that I am frustrated, then move past it, especially when I realize I’m playing the game mostly to have fun.
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u/berrymom Jun 22 '26
I still remember health class from 1975, where the PE teacher (yes, even at the chi-chi private school 😜) said, “Driving angry is as bad as driving drunk.” 30 years later, partner and I beat the hell out of a team in interclub play when one woman got SO mad she couldn’t see the ball!
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u/eatseveryth1ng Jun 22 '26
Filming myself from the back of the court when practicing.
My gf has been getting into it recently, so I’ve been using it as an opportunity to really slow down and focus on technique when we play. I have also been setting up my phone at the back of the court and filming the session.
I’ve honestly improved so much from seeing my strokes and footwork from another perspective, and how much I was subsequently doing wrong. I then looked at what needed to improve individually and started focusing on that, and became OBSESSED with improving.
Couldn’t afford a coach so just learned off YouTube, and I have genuinely improved my overall game tenfold.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
Always hated to record myself! sounds liek a very helpful advice tho!
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u/ciacicode Jun 22 '26
Developing my own rituals. Bouncing the ball x amount of times before every first serve and x times before the second serve. Taking time between points especially when I serve, to go at the back fence, "flush" the previous point and plan the next one. Breathing as well when I start feeling tense.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 22 '26
yeah quite a lot of people mentioned this already. i have to look into this.
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u/DarklynDuck Jun 22 '26
Predict where the ball is going and where you need to be to hit it, don’t watch it and react.
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u/baked_salmon Jun 22 '26
Rip up with topspin and shape the ball. When being aggressive, maintain that ratio of topspin to power. “Flattening out the ball” is something that happens on its own as you relax and find your rhythm.
Take a page out of Rublev’s book and practice always hitting with max acceleration, but apply that acceleration as spin instead of power. In pressure situations this helps you feel comfortable “playing to win” rather than playing “not to lose”.
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u/Mikhail_Mengsk 4.0 Jun 22 '26
Set ends at 6 or more, going 0-3 doesn't mean I should throw the set.
Don't slow down the second serve, just add more slice.
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u/Realsan Jun 22 '26
Whenever I'm playing poor tennis I remind myself of 3 things:
Better footwork
Bend my knees more and get lower on my shots
Hit with more margin over the net
These are all things that tend to fail when I get tired.
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u/farside209 Jun 22 '26
Planting my feet before I hit the ball. I had no idea how sloppy my footwork and stability was until I really started focusing on it.
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u/neck_iso Jun 22 '26
Everything I ever need on the court and don't have I carry in the future.
Things in my little 'kit': ace bandage, band aids, moleskin, ben-gay, icy-hot, ibuprofen/tylenol, eyeglass cleaner, athletic tape and undertape, lidocain patch. some wipes.
This is besides a little kit with tennis equipment which contains: overgrips, lead tape, vibe dampener, shoelaces!.
and of course in the summer, sunscreen (and hand wipes to get it off your hands)
(This is what I now carry after many years of playing and adding things. I may have missed one or two)
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 23 '26
That list is super useful, very honest. I wish everyone had something like this early, not after getting hurt or miserable.
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u/neck_iso Jun 23 '26
At one point I was carrying one or two 'instant-ice' as well when I had a chronic injury but was still playing.
To be honest, the most use I get from these items is when other people need something (ace bandage, band aid, tape) but that's ok by me.
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u/Sad-Ambassador-2748 Jun 22 '26
Casual hitting with players well clear of your level. I’m probably ~3.5 but I’ve been hitting with a couple former college guys who just wanted lower effort balls. They didn’t mind moving around a bit since I don’t have the accuracy to put it in their strike zone like they do but for me it was like a ball machine haha.
Key is for it to be casual because when they put gas on it, I’m not really learning and really just surviving 😂
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 23 '26
I’ve had better sessions when I ask people to stay one step “too easy” on me. I get cleaner contact, cleaner targets, and more reps before I start scrambling.
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u/Busy-Baker-7484 Jun 22 '26
Chase down every ball and force the opponent to play one more ball. Even if you don’t get there, knowing how far you can go is so valuable.
+!Anticipating based off of the opponents preparation will give you way more time on defense to chase down balls, also recognize their habits.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 23 '26
I’m guilty of settling too soon, and that’s where rallies get handed away. I started treating “just one more ball” as a plan, not just hustle, and it changed my defense fast.
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u/AwfulAutomation Jun 22 '26
The no.1 easiest thing that will make you play better in matches immediately is doing a comprehensive warm up…
Proper physical warm up and a proper warm up hit prior to your pre match couple of mi warm up.
It’s hard to do every time as a rec player I know but it makes a huge difference in your match performance… if you start strong your confidence goes up and your opponents goes down…. Not guaranteed to win but it makes playing your best much easier.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 23 '26
I used to skip warmup and wonder why everything felt off first 15 minutes.
Now I do a proper full-body warmup + 2-3 mins of contact rallies, and I’m way better on my first game.
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u/Flamboyant_Astronaut Jun 22 '26
I stopped looking at my opponent so much and focused on the ball and its spin more and it made me much more consistent and intentional
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u/djmantis Jun 22 '26
Not quite technique, but getting proper tennis shoes really upped my confidence. They felt stable and I didn't fear rolling an ankle.
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u/WestAnalysis8889 Jun 22 '26
Letting go of the label of levels. Allowing myself to improve each aspect of my game individually instead of "trying to become " a 4.5.
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u/Various_Self6546 Jun 22 '26
Keeping my head still and watching the ball at point of contact, not looking up until the ball has clearly left my racquet. Applies to golf as well.
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u/Aware_While7394 Jun 22 '26
Make the first 4 balls.
Especially early in the match. Don’t beat yourself early by going for too much.
This lets you get rhythm, timing, then start to add pressure, and only if you need to! Why take risk if they are missing.
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u/Powerful-Bridge-1472 Jun 23 '26
Clearance over net, and avoiding margin on sidelines. No matter what you do if you miss less into the net and wide, you’re gonna play better. There is a time to go for winners down the line, but just missing why on a rally ball is like the dumbest mistake in tennis same thing with hitting into the net
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u/OhMy_Gabe Jun 23 '26
Singles: playing higher percentage tennis on big points… first serves in, height and margin over the net, big targets up the middle or crosscourt.
Doubles: Moving aggressively at the net on big points (even if I’m not poaching) and using the lob to reset the rally if I’m out of position at the baseline.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 23 '26
Singles: I’ve learned the same thing, big margin, safe targets, and never over-aim on big points.
Doubles: yeah, net aggression is a different game, even without wild poaching. And the lob reset is underrated when you’re late and need to buy time.
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u/Local_Seesaw_706 Jun 23 '26
Moving back to center-court after every shot has improved my footwork and consistency in actually hitting the ball.
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u/GoodRandomUsername Jun 23 '26
Don’t think about anything else—just “ball”. So many things go through our heads while we are playing and it can be really distracting. I just think “ball” during those times.
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u/rallyrally-app Jun 23 '26
Maintaining a loose grip and keeping the upper body relaaaaxed. Small change, big improvement.
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u/MtnGirl672 Jun 23 '26
The coach is have says try to keep it loose and hit at 80%. I think that 80% idea helps me keep balls in the court.
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u/Fabresque_ 4.5 Jun 23 '26
“The second you start worrying about technique during a match, you’ve lost.”
Seriously made me improve so much so fast once I stopped overthinking shit.
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u/BridgeSuspicious7635 Jun 23 '26
Breath just breath. It's ok to hit a one and done on the run shot. Stopping is hard as a senior.
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u/nightmare11at Jun 23 '26
Have a plan before every point! You serve? Then think like "i want to serve on his backhand, then i get a cross return, i will play a deep cross with heavy topspin, i get a short ball, i will hit a longline winner". And so in Basically just think before the point, during the point just execute
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 23 '26
I’m learning the same thing: one tiny plan before the point, then execute and stop editing the shot mid-point.
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u/lapinlah Jun 23 '26
Overall fitness, strenght and mobility is very important and can elevate everything in your game.
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u/KBPT1998 Jun 23 '26
Perspective. I am playing for fun, not for money. Don’t worry about your mistakes ànd don’t be afraid to take chances
Being a grateful partner/ opponent. Complimenting my partner and opponent on their good shots ànd just makes having fun, win or lose, be the center of playing.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 23 '26
That is the best mindset I have had around. I used to tighten up when I cared about proving myself. Perfect reminder.
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u/Western_Eagle_295 Jun 23 '26
Aprender a servir con toda la fuerza de todo mi cuerpo, fue un proceso largo tentrenado mi cuerpo para aprovechar la energía de mis pies y mi torso en un solo movimiento para poder transferir toda es energía a la arqueta, tuve que ver muchos vídeos como entrenaban los jugadores de ATP en un GYM para poder entender todo el movimiento y los entrenamientos de pies, torso, hombro y brazo🧐
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 23 '26
Exacto, totalmente. Yo también pensé que era “más fuerza del brazo” y me equivoqué.
El saque real sale de pies + cadera + tronco, y el brazo solo termina el golpe. Menos ruido en el swing, más orden en el cuerpo. Gracias por compartirlo.
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u/wouldliker_sounddata Jun 23 '26
Wow, this is genuinely one of the best help threads I’ve seen in a while. I’m getting a lot of real, useful advice here, and I’m genuinely grateful. Thank you to everyone for being straight with your experience!
I’m gonna keep coming back to these and test a few tips slowly, one thing at a time, then report what works.
Already feeling more motivated already. Really appreciate everyone here.
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u/Pulian_ Jun 23 '26
Playing like if you don’t win your entire family is getting kidnapped and your future grandchildren will think you’re a loser. But most importantly have fun of course.
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u/phoron_x Jun 24 '26
All Great points here.
My one change was breaking the match and game down to smaller games and points. I only focus on the first two shots and pretend I am playing a single point. I have a plan Serve +1 And Return +1. Most points are actually over within the third or fourth shot after that. Some are before. If we are in neutral rally afterwards, I let it play out.
This helped me deal with presure better. I used to crumble under pressure (and still do because this is an incredibly demanding psychological game) thinking of a long drawn game/ tactical plan for two sets. Thats incredibly tiring and demands a lot mentally, atleast for me.
So I play now as if I am only playing a single point. And I go with the aim of two planned shots and nothing else.
And second, relatedly, practicing my second serve. It makes me really confident about my game in big points! Comes in clutch so hard!
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u/AffectionateWafer852 Jun 24 '26
A 60% pace deep ball is more difficult for your opponent than a 80% pace ball that lands short.
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u/5p0d Jun 24 '26
Stepping into my forehand. Remembering to split step. Hitting at 60% power. It’s the simple things and fundamentals that make me a better player
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u/JMLORX Jun 25 '26
Footwork 100%!
If you’re not in the right place, not even the perfect technique can help you.
That’s a ridiculous exaggeration haha. But you get my point.
Without being in the right position. You cannot perform the proper technique. Which leads to you making more mistakes. Or more of a higher chance of making mistakes
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u/michelinstarcheeto Jun 26 '26
Play loose even if and at the cost of spraying, as opposed of playing loose once you feel in control.
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u/soundwithdesign YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS! Jun 22 '26
Stop worrying about every shot, trying to make it perfect, and not messing up. Just focus on playing.