I trust that this, my initial dissertation on the fundamentals of tennis, 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 prolonged discussion of match play, which I trust will shed a new light on the game of tennis.
I will address the novice in my opening article and speak of certain matters which are second nature to the experienced tennis player. The best tennis equipment is not a lot of use for the beginner even if he really wants to succeed. Nevertheless, one has to purchase good quality; it is a saving eventually, as good quality material far outlasts poor quality gear.
It is important to always dress in tennis clothing when engaging in tennis. The question of selecting a tennis racquet is a much more serious matter. I do not advise forcing a certain racquet upon any player. All the standard makes are excellent. 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 obtain the best results.
After having acquired your racquet, make a firm resolve to use 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 desire to succeed at the game and progress rapidly, I strongly advise you to see all the good tennis you can. Observe the play of the best players and try to emulate their play. Read all the tennis instruction manuals you can get your hands on. They are a great help.
More tennis can be learned off the court, in the study of theory, and in watching the best players in action, than can ever be learned in actual play. I do not advise miss opportunities to play tennis. Far from it. Play whenever you can, but try when playing to put in practice the theories you have read or the strokes you have watched.
Never let yourself become discouraged by slow progress. The method of playing some stroke you have worked at over weeks unsuccessfully, will suddenly come to you when least expected. Good tennis players are the product of very 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 city.
The brotherhood of the game is universal, since none but a fit sportsman can succeed in the game for any lengthy period of time. Tennis provides relaxation, excitement, exercise, and pure enjoyment to the person who is tied fast to his business until late afternoon.
The following is the order of development that produces the quickest and most lasting results: i. Concentration on the game. ii. Keep the eye on the ball. iii. Foot-work and weight-control. iv. Strokes. v. Court position. vi. Court generalship or match play. vii. Tennis psychology.
Concentration. Tennis is played primarily with the mind. The best racquet technique invented will not be enough if the playing mind is erring. There are many reasons for a wandering mind in a tennis match. The chief one is lack of interest in the game. No one should play tennis with any hope of real success unless he cares enough about the game to be willing to do the spadework necessary to learn the game correctly.
Pack it in immediately unless you are willing to work very hard. The weather, conditions of play or the noises in the gallery often confuse even experienced match-players playing in new surroundings. Utter concentration on the game is the only remedy for an erring mind, and the quicker that lesson is learned the more rapid the improvement of the player.
The surest way to keep a game in mind is to play for every set, every game in the set, every point in the game and, finally, every shot in the point. A set is merely a conglomeration of made and missed shots, and the man who misses the least is the final winner.
If you are a beginner tennis player or are interested in tennis psychology, please go to our website called Tennis Tips for Beginners Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
Tags: apparel, attire, celebrities, enjoyment, fashion, fitness, health, hobbies, other, outdoors, recreation, sport, tennis, Uncategorized, wimbledon