In general try to impose your game on the opponent and cut down on your unforced errors. However, as you do this try to figure out your opponent’s favorite patterns and shots. Cover these patterns on key points.

Watching the ball to contact is one of the most important fundamentals in tennis. It is easy said but very difcult to do. The tendency is to look up before contact. So a great drill to learn to focus on the contact point t is to repeat bounce or hit exactly as it happens. In addition the exercise will help players from overthinking their technique.

A bad mistake may lose you more than one point if you let it linger in your mind. Using a towel to buy some time between points can be an excellent tool to make sure you are emotionally ready to start the next point.

During the point things have to play automatically. You need to let your body react. Too much thinking will hamper your performance. During the point, your only focus should be the ball, use the changeovers to analyze.

Thoughts and body language go hand in hand and affect each other. You can change the way you feel either through changing your thoughts or through changing your body language. Use both tools.

When on court you are on your own so you need to give yourself as much help as you can. Be your own coach and talk to yourself in the same way you would talk to a player that you are coaching.

Learn how to act your way out of trouble when you are on court. A positive outlook and feeling is essential to good performance so when things are not going well try acting as if you are playing greatly. After a while your game will follow.

You will not beat anyone unless you win the battle against yourself. Regardless of who you are playing your goal should always be to focus on the things that you can control and that will give you the best chance of playing up to your potential.

Setting performance goals before a match is much more effective than setting outcome goals. You do not have control over outcome goals but you have total control over performance goals. Learn the difference!

Self talk is very important in tennis. Learn how to do it right.

Failing to watch the ball to contact is one of the most common mistakes in tennis. Here is a drill to help player focus better and track the ball all the way to contact.

Once the ball is in play players have to learn to constantly track it. This drill will show you an easy way to do this.

Unnecessary tension is a major root of unforced errors. Learning to play more efficiently and only using the necessary muscle tension to produce the desired result will improve every part of your game.

This exercise will help you identify your ideal intensity level on the court by taking you through a progression where you experiment with different levels of tension and intensity.

Most players use too much effort when swinging and tend to muscle the ball. Here is a great exercise to help you feel the racquet swing and help you smoothen your swings.

Most players use too much effort when swinging and tend to muscle the ball. Here is a great exercise to help you feel the racquet swing and help you smoothen your swings.

On key points use all the information you have gathered during the match. Keep your opponent’s patterns and tendencies in mind, think how you may exploit them and make sure you are ready to cover his/her favorite shots.

Key points are not the time to be change strategy. If the opponent has a weak side, make him/her beat you with that side. Do not use the key points to try to surprise him/her.

On key points it is important that you set the right tone from the beginning. Know exactly how you want to start the point. When serving, what serve will you use? Will you go for a big serve or try to spin the serve? Will you serve and volley? Etc. Same on the return: Will you look to attack the second serve? Will you play aggressively? Will you attack the net? Figure out in advance what your best option is. A key point is not a time to be second-guessing yourself.

Play key point on your terms. If you are an aggressive player, play that way. If you are a counterpuncher, play that way. Use your favorite patterns. Play comfortable!

On key points you have to play the odds and hit the shots that will give you the best chance of winning the point. Run around your weaknesses and use your weapons. There are no points for style. Go with what you can count on.

Tightness and loss of focus are the two main causes of mistakes in tennis. On key points remind yourself to focus on the ball and to swing relaxed. Taking these two variables out of the equation will greatly increase your odds of winning the point.

In general try to impose your game on the opponent and cut down on your unforced errors. However, as you do this try to figure out your opponent’s favorite patterns and shots. Cover these patterns on key points.

When playing a match your first goal should be to play your game – impose your game on the opponent. Play your favorite patterns and shots. If this is not working, adjust.