Tips for New Tennis Players

 

Tennis can be a tricky sport as a newcomer, and players should take the time to get to know the sport and its equipment. Keen tennis player John Quarenghi believes that by following a few tips, newcomers can improve their performance levels quickly.

Tone the Muscles

To hit the ball further than an opponent can, it will need to be hit hard. Over time, tennis players will find that they naturally tone their muscles and increase strength. As muscles are toned and players get more practice, the level of their game will improve.

Warm Up and Cool Down

As with any exercise, always warm up before playing and cool down afterwards. If players attempt to work their muscles too hard right away, there is a high chance of pulling a muscle, or, in the worst-case scenario, rupturing a tendon.

The best way to combat this is by completing a proper warm-up including a stretching regime before playing a game. A good warm up starts with walking or gentle jogging to increase the heart rate to the point where the player begin to perspire, before moving on to dynamic stretches such as lunges.

Tennis Rackets

There is a wide range of rackets to choose from, and the standard of construction across the market is pretty good. The first thing to remember when shopping for a tennis racket is to opt for the racket that matches your grip and body size, not the one that is the cheapest.

A racket with a broken string does not necessarily need to be replaced. If it is a good quality racket, have it re-strung and get the tension adjusted to better suit your style of play.

Take One Point at a Time

Losing points in tennis can cause anger and frustration, but this does not benefit play. In some cases, it can lead to players becoming so angry that their emotions override their previous cool, calm and collected approach.

Instead, try to forget about the previous point, especially if it was lost. This will allow players to concentrate on the point that is currently being played.

Take Lessons

Investing in tennis lessons is a great way to improve. This will stop novice players from picking up bad habits and give them the opportunity to meet similarly minded people. Many areas have local sports centres or tennis clubs, so it is worth doing some research to find out what is on offer.