Tennis Fundamentals

I trust that this, my initial literary work will be found useful by both novices and experts alike in the tennis world. I am striving to arouse interest in the student of the game of tennis by a somewhat lengthy discussion of match play, which I trust will cast a new light on the sport of tennis.

I will turn to the beginner in my opening article and speak of certain things which are second nature to the experienced tennis player. The best tennis equipment is not much use to the beginner even if he really is trying to succeed. Nevertheless, one has to purchase good quality; it is a saving eventually, as high quality goods far outlasts poor quality gear.

It is vital always to wear tennis apparel when playing tennis. The question of selecting a tennis racquet is a much more serious decision. I do not like to force a certain make of racquet upon any player, since all the standard makes are of excellent quality. However, the weight, balance, and size of the handle are the really important considerations when choosing a racquet frame, while good stringing is essential to get the best results.

After you have acquired your racquet, make a firm resolve to use only quality tennis balls, as a regular bounce is a great aid to advancement, while a "dead" ball is no use at all. If you really desire to succeed at the game and advance rapidly, I strongly urge you to see all the good tennis you can. Study the play of the leading players and strive to copy their strokes. Read all the tennis instruction books you can find. They are a great assistance.

More tennis can be picked up off the court, in the study of theory, and in watching the top players in action, than can ever be learned in actual play. I do not advise miss opportunities to play tennis. Far from it. Play whenever possible, but try when playing to put in practice the theories you have read or the strokes you have watched.

Never become discouraged by slow progress. The trick of playing some stroke you have worked on for weeks unsuccessfully, will suddenly come to you when least expected. Good tennis players are the product of hard work. Very few players are born geniuses at the game. Tennis is a game that pays you interest all your life. A tennis racquet is a letter of introduction in any city.

The brotherhood of tennis is universal, since none but a good sportsman can succeed in the game for any lengthy period of time. Tennis provides relaxation, excitement, exercise, and pure enjoyment to the person who is tied hard and fast to his job until late in the afternoon.

The following is the order of development that produces the quickest and most lasting results: i. Concentration on the game. ii. Keep the eye on the ball. iii. Foot-work and weight-control. iv. Strokes. v. Court position. vi. Court generalship or match play. vii. Tennis psychology.

Concentration. Tennis is played primarily with the mind. The most perfect racquet technique invented will not suffice if the playing mind is wandering. There are many reasons for a distracted mind in a tennis match. The chief one is lack of interest in the game. No one should play tennis with any hope of real success unless he cares sufficiently about the game to be willing to do the drudgery necessary to learn the game properly.

Jack it in right now if you are not willing to work very hard. The weather, conditions of play or the noises in the gallery often bewilder even very experienced match-players playing in new surroundings. Complete and utter concentration on the game is the only cure for a wandering mind, and the quicker that lesson is learned the more rapid the improvement of the player.

The best way to keep a match in focus is to go for every set, every game in the set, every point in the game and, eventually, every shot in the point. A set is merely a collection of made and missed shots, and the man who misses the least is the ultimate winner.

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