Tip of the Week: My Most Simple Strategy

This idea is going to sound obvious, but tennis is supposed to be basic.
By Steve Annacone
This idea is going to sound obvious, but tennis is supposed to be basic. If you are serving, focus on getting the first serve in, then hitting a shot or two (usually crosscourt) to get the opponent moving, and then figure out a way to win the point. When returning serve, get the return in play, hit...Read more

Tip of the Week: Practice From Your Starting Position

Players generally stand in the middle of the baseline to warm up before a singles match. However, it is rare that both players are standing in this position during an actual point. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
By Steve Annacone
Players generally stand in the middle of the baseline to warm up before a singles match. However, it is rare that both players are standing in this position during an actual point. In singles, the server will be slightly to the right or left of the center of the court and behind the baseline. The...Read more

Tip of the Week: Use Your Legs As A Weapon

Your movement on the tennis court is one of the most important tools you can use to win the match. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
By Steve Annacone
Your movement on the tennis court is one of the most important tools you can use to win the match. There are many different ways to do this. First, by running after every ball and getting many of your opponent's best shots back in play, you can force them to go bigger and try more risky shots. This...Read more

No Ads No More

By Chris Sabaitis
A rule quickly gaining traction in the tennis world is “no-ad scoring,” which eliminates serving advantages. Many tennis fans have mixed feelings about this method, arguing that while it opens the game up to chance, it regulates the pace of the match and almost guarantees a conclusion within two...Read more

Tip of the Week: Let The Racquet Follow The Path of the Ball

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By Steve Annacone
Although spin has become a big part of the modern game of tennis, it is still very important to let your racquet follow the ball towards your target. The best players in the world are very aware of the racquet head just prior to contact, as the ball is being hit and immediately after the point of...Read more

Tip of the Week: Return and Come In

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By Steve Annacone
Hitting the return of serve and following it to the net puts immediate pressure on the server. If you are returning a second serve, especially against someone who tries to simply get the second serve in play, coming in behind the return can make their next second serve weaker, take away time on the...Read more

Tip of the Week: Use Your Two-Handed Backhand

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By Steve Annacone
Players who hit a two-handed backhand have to get in a more precise position than players with a one hander. This would seem to make it more difficult to execute but, in most cases, it actually helps the player use the correct footwork which can make this shot a weapon. If your opponent hits the...Read more

Tip of the Week: If I Were to Simplify…

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By Steve Annacone
Tennis is a complex sport. If I were to simplify how to teach a beginner how to hit the ball from the baseline, this is where I would start: First, practice watching the ball from the opponent's point of contact all the way past your own point of contact. Determine whether it is a forehand or...Read more

Tip of the Week: Adjust Your Strategy During the Match

Photo courtesy of USTA/Darren Carroll
By Steve Annacone
Most high level players go into a match with a strategy. Sometimes it’s based on their own game and what they know has worked in the past. Other times it is designed based on the type of player they will be facing. There are also strategies used that apply to both of these. Even with all of the...Read more

Tip of the Week: Hit Drop Shots and Overheads at an Angle

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By Steve Annacone
Players tend to focus on hitting drop shots just over the net and overheads fast and deep, especially when trying to win the point with these shots. It is very helpful to use some angle on both the drop shot and overhead since this will make the shot effective even if you don't have the perfect...Read more

Tip of the Week: Give Yourself Plenty of Margin With Your Targets

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By Steve Annacone
All of us remember the great shot we hit that landed right on the line. The pros seem to be able to do this more often than we can. However, I have always believed that many, if not all, of the shots the pros hit that land on the line, are actually by mistake. The exception to this might be on the...Read more

Tip of the Week: Use a Shorter Backswing and Regular Follow Through on Shorter Balls

By Steve Annacone
With the speed and power game prominent in a modern tennis match, players are often caught off guard when the ball is hit short. A couple of basic ideas will help you handle this type of situation: Turn your shoulders prior to running in and remind yourself to use a short backswing on this ball...Read more
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