Beginners who are just learning how to play tennis are most definitely going to face quite a large amount of frustration because it takes a lot of time, patience and practice to really get the hang of the sport. The most important thing that you can do to make this process run more smoothly is to avoid beginner mistakes in order to minimize the level of frustration that you experience. Here are five basic beginner's tennis tips that will help you break out of the beginner mistakes and really get going in the game.
1 - The first tip is simply not to try too hard right out of the gate.
Even if your coach tells you to try harder, do not overtax yourself. If you find that you have having difficulties with your stroke or your technique, you should try to soften up your grip and your muscles, and you should not worry about perfection until you have the technique down a little better. It is going to take time to gain the required skills for tennis play, so start slow and soft and work your way up at your own comfortable pace.
2 - Try not to have any real expectations at first.
If you try to expect a certain result every time you play, you are only going to become more frustrated. You are going to develop at your own unique pace, so do not allow yourself to become stressed out in the process. Everything will come to you in time, but only if you open up your mind and try not to have too many expectations in the beginning.
3 - The next tip is to realize that there is only feedback, and no real mistakes in tennis.
If you hit the net, you haven't made a mistake, but you have taught yourself that you need to hit higher next time. If you blow a serve, take it in stride and perfect your swing. Do not complicate things by looking at every falter as a mistake, but rather consider every move to be a chance to learn and improve your game.
4 - No matter what is currently happening on the other side of the court, you should absolutely always be moving.
Jog, dance, make small hops or do whatever else you need to do to keep your body moving. Standing still is only going to allow your movements to become stiffer, which will make it harder for you to reach the ball when it does come back your way.
5 - The fifth and final tip is to be patient, because it will take time for everything to really register in your brain and make sense.
When you get the instruction to take a specific shot, then you should do your best and then simply wait for the results. When the results come, take everything in and move on to the next challenge. Every shot is a learning process, and will improve your gain over time.
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One of the most popular questions that brand new tennis players ask has to do with how to choose the perfect tennis shoes. With the right tips and tricks, choosing the right tennis shoes should not be difficult by any means. Tennis shoes are some of the most important pieces of equipment that you should have when preparing to play the game right. Here are the characteristics that you need to be looking for when it comes to picking the perfect pair of tennis shoes.
1 - Flexibility -
You need to choose shoes that offer the necessary amount of arch support but are still flexible rather than rigid. You should choose tennis shoes that can fit snugly to your foot while still lending the necessary amount of ankle support. Bend the shoe to see how flexible it is before buying.
2 - Durability -
The sole is the area of the shoe that is going to wear out more quickly than the rest. You should choose a tennis shoe that has a better quality and more durable sole in order to get the most out of your pair of tennis shoes. Keep up with new and revolutionary materials and buy top of the line whenever possible.
3 - Stability and Fit -
You should aim to buy a tennis shoe that has overall stability but still fits well and comfortably for that matter. Good tennis shoes are tennis shoes that are firm and protective of your ankle while still feeling fitting and comfortable so that you do not feel clumsy in them.
4 - Weight -
You want to choose a pair of tennis shoes that is fairly light weight, because mobility is absolutely vital when it comes to playing tennis right. For this reason, you absolutely do not want to buy shoes that make you feel weighted down.
5 - Breathability -
This is the ability to allow your foot some air to breathe. Your foot should absolutely never feel cooped up inside your tennis shoes. Make sure that your shoe has some means of getting air to your feet if you want to have the most comfortable fit possible.
6 - Comfort -
Overall, you will be able to tell if a pair of tennis shoes fits you properly or not just by feeling out your overall level of comfort when they are being warn. Put on a good pair of socks and move and jump around a bit to try the shoes out before you make a purchase. Do you feel like you can move quickly and nimbly across the court? Then you probably have a winning pair of tennis shoes.
7 - Popularity -
While you should not allow popularity to be the determinant factor in which tennis shoes you decide to purchase, you should pay attention to what the top ten tennis players are wearing. As long as the tennis players aren't being sponsored, their personal pick of tennis shoes may give you some decent insight into what type of shoes to buy for yourself.
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Tennis tips and tricks are like small tweaks that you can make to your game in order to improve your play. If you are looking for a way to improve your capabilities as a tennis player, consider these tennis tips and tricks and then move on to look at other potential tennis playing tips that will allow you to improve your game immensely.
1 - This is an important one: Adapt your shots and your tactics according to your conditions.
Is it windy, sunny or hot? Use the conditions to your advantage by adapting your game to them. Other considerations that you should make and adapt to are how you are currently feeling, and how well your equipment is performing at the time. By adapting to your conditions, you are significantly improving your game, which is one of the best tennis tips and tricks of all.
2 - Another great consideration when it comes to tennis tips and tricks is to get used to your opponent's play early on in the match.
Nobody plays the same in their warm up as they do during the match, so the real adapting will begin when the match begins rather than before. Watch the ball well at first and get a feel for what is happening. Gradually adapt accordingly, you have plenty of time.
3 - If you want to play a powerful game, you need to have a powerful serve and a powerful return.
If your serve and return are weak, you will be on the defensive throughout the entire match. Don't blast your best serves at full power when the match has just begun. Begin at about 75% of your capabilities and gradually increase your capabilities to find your comfort zone and to win the match.
4 - Find your comfort zone!
Especially when it comes to ground strokes, get into your groove as soon as possible, beginning with long cross courts at 2 to 5 feet over the net, then aim five feet from both sides and baseline in order to improve your ground strokes, forehands and backhands.
5 - Become aware of your opponent's weaknesses.
The next step is to determine what shots you can and cannot reasonably play accordingly. If your opponent moves very slowly when coming toward the net for example, is your drop shot a reliable enough shot that you can properly utilize it? Master moves before you change up your game too much. Adapting your game is vital, but only if you stay within your limits.
6 - One of the most important tennis tips and tricks is never to fall into a mind trap.
There are numerous mind traps that may ruin your game, such as "If I do not take this opportunity, I will not get another", and "I do not want to make it a double fault now". If you find yourself falling into a mind trap, change up your thinking and play your match point decisively and with as much courage that you can muster.
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In an important season ending tournament, Venus manages to advance but unfortunately has to leave her sister, Serena, behind. Venus Williams recently managed to defeat her sister Serena in a set of three matches, with scores of 5 - 7, 6 - 1, 6 - 0. The match occurred on Thursday, and allowed Venus to reach into the semifinals for the WTA Tour, as this battle was one of the season ending matches for the season ending Sony Ericsson Championships which were held at Doha in Qatar. Not only did Serena have difficulty defending her title in this epic match against her older sister, but she also went on to call this match her worst of the year and her worst game during the entire tennis season.
According to Serena Williams, she just could not manage to keep the ball in play. She felt like everything was off during her last tennis match of the 2008 season, and was not ashamed to admit it following the match. The wind played a large part in some of her hits, as she swung to meet the ball, but found it going in the wrong direction or receiving a little too much influence from the wind. She ended up conceding the final point after assuming that the ball would be going out, and referees determined that the point should be replayed but Serena was already aware that she would not win, and acted accordingly.
Venus, the older system of Serena Williams is 3 - 0 in round robin play within a tournament that is featuring the top eight players on the court this year. Serena Williams managed to drop down to 1 - 1, but she was still given a chance to advance in the tournament should she manage to beat Elena Dementieva, which would have been the last match if she lost. Dementieva has been having an excellent season, beating Dinara Safina with 6 - 2 and 6 - 4, which was enough to eliminate her from the championships all together. The topped rank player Jelena Jankovic also managed to secure a semifinal spot in the tournament by defeating another top ranking player, Svetlana Kuznetsova with 7 - 6, 6, 6 - 4.
At the end of the day, Serena admits that she treats her sister like any other opponent on the court, and while she has not been pleased to lose to her sister, she accepts that her sister has been playing amazingly well all season long and certainly deserved to move on to the semifinals at the end of the tournament. Venus has been performing well this season, taking numerous titles and winning against many of the top seeded players of the season. She is expected to end the season well, and her sister supports her in that. While Venus works to prepare herself for the end of season tournament, Serena will focus on training for next year, where she may be able to outperform her sister in the next season.
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If you are interested in learning how to play tennis, there are a few things you need to know before you get started. By having the proper foundation in this sport, you can be assured that you’ll learn properly and be able to play better as a result. Although this game is a lot of fun, it can be a bit difficult at first. These tips will help you get through that frustration and learn to enjoy the game.
The first step is to make sure that you have the right equipment. While entry level rackets can be expensive, it is best to buy the gear that is going to last. Many rackets that are budget priced will not be durable enough to take you to the next level and they may actually hinder you from learning properly. It is better to spend a bit more and get a quality racket. However, if you are not certain as to whether you will really like the sport and you don’t want to invest a lot of money, a budget racket may be the best choice.
You’ll also need to get a good pair of actual tennis shoes that will support your feet and legs. This can help reduce the risk of injury and give you that strong platform to develop as a player. You can find these on sale if you shop at a few stores and keep your eyes open for bargains. It is best to buy actual “tennis” shoes, and not running or athletic shoes, since these will not have the kind of support you need.
Once you have all of the right equipment, it’s time to think about working with an instructor. Again, this is an added expense, but it is a good investment. If you’re not in a position of being able to afford lessons, it is best to get an instructional DVD that will walk you through the basics of the sport. There is no real replacement for an actual teacher, but DVD lessons are helpful especially for those that are on a budget.
The key to getting better as a player is practice and you should set aside a few hours a week if you are serious about the sport. If you just want to have fun however, playing once a week is usually sufficient. Just remember that the more time you devote to practice, the better you will get in a shorter period of time. Get training gear and practice tennis drills often to get the basics down pat before moving into actually playing against another player.
This will help you keep your confidence levels up and you’ll have the right moves down pat when it comes time to actually play against someone else. Remember, tennis should be fun, and shouldn’t be a chore. By keeping the right mindset, you’ll be much more likely to get more out of the game and you’ll be able to stay mentally fresh and ready for new challenges.
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Pete Sampras was born in 1971 and grew up in the Washington DC area of the United States. He is considered to be one of the most gifted male players in the sport and has one numerous titles, medals and cups throughout his long and illustrious career. Although he is now retired, he remains to this date one of the winningest tennis players in the world.
He discovered tennis early on, but it wasn’t until he hit the age of seven, when his family moved to California that he began to take it seriously. He was considered by many to be a prodigy in the game and from the first time he picked up a racket, it was clear that he was destined for greatness.
At the tender age of 16, Sampras turned pro and by 1990 he was beating fan favorite Andre Agassi. It was at this match that he even beat the illustrious John McEnroe, a feat that not many other players have ever managed to accomplish. Although his career had its ups and downs, Sampras remained a strong player through it all.
What is he doing now?
Sampras is now retired, but he is still active in charity work and still plays in exhibition matches throughout the world. His form is still top notch and he frequently beats opponents without breaking a sweat. Truly, Sampras is one of the best tennis players to come along in many generations.
Championships:
Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
1990 US Open (1) Andre Agassi 6–4, 6–3, 6–2
1993 Wimbledon (1) Jim Courier 7–6, 7–6, 3–6, 6–3
1993 US Open (2) Cédric Pioline 6-4, 6–4, 6–3
1994 n Open (1) Todd Martin 7–6, 6–4, 6–4
1994 Wimbledon (2) Goran Ivanišević 7–6, 7–6, 6–0
1995 Wimbledon (3) Boris Becker 6–7, 6–2, 6–4, 6–2
1995 US Open (3) Andre Agassi 6–4, 6–3, 4–6, 7–5
1996 US Open (4) Michael Chang 6–1, 6–4, 7–6
1997 n Open (2) Spain Carlos Moyá 6–2, 6–3, 6–3
1997 Wimbledon (4) Cédric Pioline 6–4, 6–2, 6–4
1998 Wimbledon (5) Goran Ivanišević 6–7, 7–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–2
1999 Wimbledon (6) Andre Agassi 6–3, 6–4, 7–5
2000 Wimbledon (7) Patrick Rafter 6–7, 7–6, 6–4, 6–2
2002 US Open (5) Andre Agassi 6–3, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4
Interesting and Inspirational Quotes:
“The difference of great players is at a certain point in a match they raise their level of play and maintain it. Lesser players play great for a set, but then less.”
“I let my racket do the talking. That's what I am all about, really. I just go out and win tennis matches.”
“I just had to hang in there and make sure I was dictating play,”
“This is more about just getting myself a little busier and focused on something I used to be good at. It's time this year to do a little more. Last year, I was kind of floating along.”
“When you retire, you take time away, you don't want to have anything to do with tennis. After two years of having fun and not doing much in the sport, you get a little bored and want to know what's the next chapter in your life. Last year was a turning point 'What am I going to do next?' and I had to make a decision.”
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Tennis is a game that is played primarily in your mind, even though your body is running back and forth on the court. Many of the top players in the game have devoted volumes to the subject of mental tennis, but these tips can be distilled down into a few strategies that every player can use. Even if you only play tennis occasionally, these tips will help you improve your game and they may even give you a whole new perspective of the sport.
1. Play to Win – Not to Avoid Losing.
Many players make the mistake of going into a game desperately wanting to avoid losing. This is a common problem and it is completely understandable. No one wants to lose. However, by pre-programming yourself this way, you are actually increasing your chances of losing the match, simply because you are so worried about it. Go into each game playing to win and you’ll notice a big difference in your scores.
2. Getting Rid of Nerves.
This is a huge problem, even for the best players in the game. It’s natural to be nervous before a match, but if nerves are crippling your performance, it’s time to do something about it. You can use the above tip to take the pressure off by not thinking about losing and there are other great strategies that can be employed to help you become less nervous. You may want to consider contacting a sport therapist if nerves are really hampering your performance.
3. Set Yourself Up to Succeed.
One of the best ways to win is simply to picture yourself doing it. Play the match in your head beforehand and think about how you are going to handle each shot. Program yourself to win and chances are, you will. It can take a few times to get the technique down, but visualization can be incredibly useful when you’re getting mentally prepared for a game. By reducing negativity, you’ll be setting yourself up to win – not lose.
4. Don’t Let Intimidation Worry You.
If you’re playing a more experienced player, it is only natural to be a bit intimidated. However, if you let this go unchecked, it will only get worse. Remember, they have the same fears you do and in fact, they may be even more worried about the game than you are. Take every match as it comes and don’t think about how good the other player is. Focus on your own game and let it fall into place naturally.
5. Never forget to practice.
One of the best ways to ensure that you’re mentally tough is to practice your game – both the physical and mental sides. By staying sharp and being on top of your game, you’ll naturally be more confident. Take the time to read about mental strategies and employ them whenever you can, both on and off the cart. As you train, you’ll be getting mentally and physically stronger and you’ll be able to take on any challenge.
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Although many only look at Anna Kournikova’s beauty, citing the fact that she’s never really done much in the sport of tennis, she is an accomplished player that has a remarkable attitude about the game and an innate talent. Born in Moscow in 1981, Kournikova began training as a tennis player early in life. She later moved to the United States with her mother, settling in Florida, where she continued her studies.
At this point in her career, Anna is now semi retired, but she does play in certain games and at exhibitions. She is perhaps best known now as a model and the sometimes girlfriend/wife of singer Enrique Igelsias. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the couple, and even the press isn’t sure as to whether the two were actually married or not.
In the world of tennis, Anna was known as a hard working player and although she has not won many titles, she is still a solid player with a great work ethic and a drive to succeed. She has consistently been named as one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People and is profiled and photographed regularly for magazines around the world. At the end of the day, it appears as though she won’t be remembered for her contributions to the game of tennis, which are many, but rather her personal life and her beauty.
Recently, Anna was named among one of the most overrated stars in history and had the dubious honor of being listed as one of the top 25 biggest flops of all time. Whether or not these rankings are fair, it is clear that she is frustrated by her status and celebrity and would rather focus on the things that are important to her.
What is she doing now?
Anna is now the spokesperson for many brands, including K-Swiss. She was the face for a sports bra campaign that was very successful and is a common fixture at charity events and on the red carpet. She plays off and on at exhibition events and has expressed a desire to return to the tour, if she can get back to being 100% healthy.
Championships:
Wins (2)
Year Championship Partnering Opponents in Final Score in Final
1999 Australian Open Hingis Davenport /Zvereva 7–5, 6–3
2002 Australian Open (2) Hingis Hantuchová/ Sánchez-Vicario 6–2, 6–7, 6–1
Runner-up (1)
Year Championship Partnering Opponents in semi final Score in Final
1999 French Open Martina Hingis S.Williams/V. Williams 6–3, 6–
Interesting and Inspirational Quotes:
“God gives all to those, who get up early.”
“I think that tennis is a lady's sport, so we should look out there like ladies.”
“I have lost this battle but I will win the war.”
“Well, I'm playing for the fans so whenever they come and ask for autographs I always try to give it to everybody because I'm out there for the people.”
“I think it's really important for me not to forget where I came from.”
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One of the hottest issues in tennis is the use of oversized rackets. While there are a handful of pros in the circuit that actually use them, by far, they are most often used by inexperienced players that are just getting started in the game. There are some benefits and a few drawbacks to using oversized tennis rackets, so let’s look at this issue logically to see who is right, and who is wrong.
Pros of Oversized Tennis Rackets
1. Accuracy.
This is probably the main reason that oversized rackets are so popular. When you have a larger surface on your racket, it just makes sense that you’re going to be able to hit the ball with a lot more accuracy. No more whiffed shots, that gigantic head will be able to catch anything going by. This can help new players get the confidence they need to keep playing.
2. Less Joint Stress.
This is the most compelling reason for buying an oversized racket. Players have found that it is just easier to use a racket with a larger head and they notice a reduction in the amount of arm and elbow pain after using one. If you already have issues with tennis elbow, this is a very simple solution that can bring a lot of relief.
3. More Power.
The head of an oversized racket allows you to put a little more power behind your shots and this is another main reason that they have become so popular. There is a lot of controversy over this, but the truth is, you can hit a ball harder with an oversized racket.
Cons of Oversized Tennis Rackets
1. Not a true test of skill.
Although these rackets can initially improve accuracy and help give a player some confidence, it may be false confidence. It is best to learn with a standard racket to help develop proper hand eye coordination. Some consider the large head on an oversized racket to be cheating, and if a player has to suddenly make a switch to a standard racket, they may find that they can no longer hit the ball as well as they used to.
2. Banning may be in the future.
Tennis officials are strongly considering banning oversized rackets in the future. While this will really only affect players on the circuit or those that play at a competitive level, it is something to think about. Why should you waste the time learning on something that you’ll never be able to use. However, for occasional players that don’t really care about the rules, an oversized racket can still be used.
At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and the way that you look at the game. Even though they are great for those suffering from arm strain, the criticism that likens these rackets to cheating may have some merit. It’s best to learn on a standard racket, in our opinion, to get the foundation you really need to succeed in this game.
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Venus Williams and her sister Serena are two of the most easily recognized players in the game and they have rocketed to national prominence over the past few years. Venus was born in 1980 and holds the records for the most Olympic gold medals for any tennis player, male or female, an accomplishment that is remarkable. Considered to be a prodigy, those that argue over which sister is better usually come up with Venus, especially when you consider just how many championships she has won.
Venus holds the record for the fastest serve, reaching speeds of 129 mph, and this is a big factor in her ability to win consistently. In 1994, Venus turned pro at the age of fourteen and quickly began racking up victories right and left. She and her sister were made for television and their story of struggle and their victories resonated deeply in the hearts of people throughout the world.
What is she doing now?
Venus briefly left the tour for medical reasons in 2008, and to get ready for the Olympics. Although she did not take home her own gold medal, Venus and Serena did win the gold for their doubles match, the second time this has occurred. Ranked as one of the top players in the world, it is clear that Venus has quite a lot of matches left in her and that she will continue to dominate the sport.
In her spare time, Venus designs clothing and recently received an Associate’s Degree in fashion design. Her designs are featured on runways throughout the world and she is also active in numerous charities and other organizations. Her company also designs home interiors, and her work has been featured on numerous design shows.
Championships:
Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
2000 Wimbledon Lindsay Davenport 6–3, 7–6(3)
2000 US Open Lindsay Davenport 6–4, 7–5
2001 Wimbledon (2nd) Flag of Belgium Justine Henin 6–1, 3–6, 6–0
2001 US Open (2nd) Serena Williams 6–2, 6–4
2005 Wimbledon (3rd) Lindsay Davenport 4–6, 7–6(4), 9–7
2007 Wimbledon (4th) Marion Bartoli 6–4, 6–1
2008 Wimbledon (5th) Serena Williams 7–5, 6–4
Interesting and Inspirational Quotes:
“I just tried to stay positive and not float away mentally, ... I'm at the end of the line, I've arrived in the finals. It's good for me. Got to see what's left tomorrow. And even if there's nothing left like today, I'll still find something. I just wanted to win.”
“Of course, I want to be number one. But being happy and healthy is the most important thing.”
“If I'd lived prior to the 1980s, it would have been different, because I would have been playing to prove African Americans are equal. Now, I don't necessarily feel I have to play for black people, because obviously they're doing everything in all sports. If I can go out there and play for myself and not feel I have to stand for something other than what I want to do, that's good.”
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