Are you just starting out in tennis? Check out these valuable tennis tips for beginners from Coach Emir Machado and put them into practice on the court for rapid improvement.
Warm Up Your Body Before Every Swing
One essential aspect of playing tennis is preparing your body before the ball arrives. Always rotate your torso before moving toward the ball to ensure your body and racket are ready. Ideally, complete this movement before the ball crosses the net, but make sure you’re prepared before it bounces on your side.
Keep a Strong Stance and Fast Footwork
Quick movement to the ball is crucial, but a strong stance is just as important. Keep your knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart, and your racket positioned in front of your body. This positioning helps you respond faster and hit with better control.
Aim High for Consistency and Control
When hitting the ball, aim with a safe margin above the net. Try to target the larger, deeper areas of the opponent’s side of the court. Tennis rewards consistent players more than those who hit the hardest or make the flashiest shots. Ask your coach how to use topspin effectively to gain control without losing precision. Learn more about topspin techniques from the USTA.
Hit with Power and Precision
To add power to your shots, make contact with the ball out in front of your body, transferring your body weight into each hit. This technique is especially important for serves. It’s about timing and control—striking the ball at the optimal point can make all the difference in power.
Mastery Takes Practice and Patience
In tennis, patience and practice are key. If you’re learning a new skill, remember that mastery takes time. Professionals often train 4 to 8 hours a day, requiring days or even weeks to incorporate new techniques into their game. So, give yourself at least 30 hours of practice for each new skill before deciding it’s “too difficult.”
Go the Extra Mile Every Day
Going the extra mile makes a huge difference in tennis (and any other sport). If you’re practicing a new technique, aim to put in just a little extra effort each day. Ask yourself if you made that small extra effort—whether it’s hitting one more ball or practicing for an extra 15–30 minutes on your own. Over time, this extra work will pay off.
Take Your Game to the Next Level with ALE Tennis Academy
Want to improve even faster? Sign up for private lessons at ALE Tennis Academy, where our coaches will work with you on your strengths and weaknesses to help you level up. Our individualized approach ensures you’ll make progress until you’re ready to compete with confidence.
