Tip of the Week: Holding Serve

By Steve Annacone
Holding serve in the modern game of tennis has become more and more difficult. Players can now return serve more often and even use the speed of the serve to add to the offensive nature of their return. Holding serve now requires a one two punch on most points-a good serve and a good first shot...Read more

Tip of the Week: Where to Hit Shots in Doubles

We have all heard the advice about hitting the ball to the middle in doubles whenever you are not sure where to go. This is very sound advice and usually works well.
By Steve Annacone
We have all heard the advice about hitting the ball to the middle in doubles whenever you are not sure where to go. This is very sound advice and usually works well. Another idea is to always go towards the baseline player (if there is one) to set up the point or if you are in trouble. This will...Read more

Tip of the Week: Closing Out a Match

By Steve Annacone
Tennis players, coaches, and observers often speak about finishing or closing out a match. Some players seem to have great success in this situation and others struggle. The players who handle this scenario best tend to play “their game” despite the pressure. This means approaching each point the...Read more

Tip of the Week: Practice with a Purpose

By Steve Annacone
Many players who are trying to improve their game go out on a daily basis and hit balls--literally, they just hit tennis balls. This type of practice can be helpful when trying to develop muscle memory, time and rhythm, and, basically, to groove your strokes. There is a place for this but if you...Read more

Tip of the Week: Dealing with Adversity

By Steve Annacone
A friend asked me recently what the difference is between the very best tennis players in the world and the players who are not quite at the top of the game. I believe the one attribute that separates the best from the rest is their ability to deal with adversity. These players keep the same...Read more

Tip of the Week: A Positive Attitude Can Be the Difference

By Steve Annacone
Simona Halep finally overcame her past problems in Grand Slam Finals and won the French Open. She has been the number one player in the world for some time (which seems a little crazy since she had not won a Grand Slam) but has had a difficult time with that last match in the majors. The biggest...Read more

Tip of the Week: What is the Best Age to Start a Child in Tennis?

By Steve Annacone
I started playing tennis at 10-years-old. My brother Paul started when he was five. I think it helped Paul to start at an earlier age and his playing achievements far surpassed mine. However, that is not always the determining factor and it is important to approach each child on a case by case...Read more

Tip of the Week: Practice With Actual Point Play in Mind

By Steve Annacone
I have seen many tennis professionals and coaches feed balls from a basket to develop the correct technique or to work on a specific shot. Feeding the ball to a player can help them get in a groove and develop some consistency with the shot while executing proper technique. Unfortunately, you...Read more

Tip of the Week: How to Slide on Clay

By Steve Annacone
With the French Open about to begin, it will help players to watch how the pros use their slide to cover the court and keep their balance. The best place to start when trying to improve your sliding technique is to do some practice movements with your racquet in hand but without hitting the ball...Read more

Tip of the Week: How to Deal With a Player Who Has Variety

By Steve Annacone
One of the most difficult situations a player may face on the tennis court is what to do when your opponent is capable of hitting a large variety of shots. This includes changing the pace, different spins, different trajectories, and different depths of shot. Your goal should be to try to hit your...Read more

Tip of the Week: Play Your Opponent's Weakness

By Steve Annacone
Almost every player has a shot that can be exploited. Initially, most players' forehands are stronger than their backhands. If you are not sure which side is weaker, try attacking their backhand first and see what the response is. It may be necessary to hit the ball to their stronger side initially...Read more

Tip of the Week: The Modern Serve

By Steve Annacone
Players have always had different service motions. If you put 10 players on the baseline at once and watch them hit a serve, you will see 10 different serves. There will be similarities and there will also be many things that the best servers have in common. The toss will be consistent, the...Read more
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