A competitive tennis player’s key concern should be learning to move quickly and efficiently. Tennis is a sport in which movement is crucial. Don’t let sloppy footwork hold you back from improving your game. The sport requires you to get on the court and move. Experts like Jonathan Zhang say that every time you step onto the court, stand up and start moving your feet better. After representing Hong Kong in major junior tournaments, including the Asian Championships, World Junior Championships, and Junior Davis Cup, he reached the Nanjing G1 doubles semifinals in 2017. He believes that training many approaches is critical because they will be needed in various settings and against different players. Below mentioned are a few tips to improve your on-court movements,
Learn that tennis is a game of motion
The sport requires you to get on the court and move. Tennis is mainly viewed as a game of hitting the ball, with movement serving as an unintended effect of playing the game. It is, nevertheless, vital to shift the focus. The first step toward improvement is to believe that you get on the court to move genuinely.
Gear Up
It makes a significant difference to get to the ball early, but the only way is to be physically and psychologically prepared to move every time the rival strikes the ball. Every time you step onto the court, stay on your toes and radiate energy.
Hit every ball
Trying to judge whether or not you should move to the ball is a common mistake. Is it possible for me to reach the ball? Is the ball about to drop? There isn’t enough time to consider things. Great movers are quick to react. Make it a habit to try to catch every ball, irrespective of where it lands. Move!
Do not let the ball double bounce.
Never let the ball bounce twice, whether you’re practicing or playing. Every time you play, try to reach every ball in one bounce. Teaching you to spot short balls early will substantially improve your first step.
Do not let any lobs go over your head.
Fight for every lob when at the net. When possible, catch the ball in the air and prevent backhand overhead. Like avoiding two bounces, this practice will train you to notice lobs better and react faster, resulting in more efficient movement.
Always expect the ball to return.
Many times, players relax too quickly and miss their opponent’s shot. They hit a good picture, assume the game is over, or anticipate the opponent returning with a weak shot. Despite the circumstances, maintain your intensity and readiness to run until the point is over.
Strike & Shift
Every player recognizes the significance of getting to the ball quickly, but many overlook the importance of recovering with the same speed. It’s just as vital to get back into position as to make a shot. Return to the same level of effort. Make sure you put in the same effort to reach the ball as you do to recuperate after the trial.
React Not Assume
In tennis, guesswork should always be the last alternative, except for situations where the opponent’s shot is so simple that you won’t be able to reach the ball unless you run before, they make contact. During a typical rally, however, there is no space for guesswork. It is always best to react because it is unrecoverable from a wrong prediction.
