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Show Tennis Tips --J Let opponents make the errors by MARK JENSEN tennis professional Park Meadows Racquet Club Every one wants a winning strategy. Often the tennis student will ask, "Can you teach me strategy?" I am of the school that the good players do not change their strategies according to who they play. They stay within their style of play with certain ideas to exploit the weaknesses of their .opponents. There are certain fundamental strategies that are basic to a solid baseline game. 1. Be patient. Nine out of 10 points in a tennis match end in an error. Think in terms of not missing. More tennis matches have been won by not missing opposed to making winning shots. 2. Hit the ball over the net. Yes, this does sound simple but often the net has beaten many players. In fact, over 80 percent of all errors in tennis are a result of the net. Hit your shots with plenty of net clearance. The arc of your ball should clear the net by a minimum of 2 feet. 3. Hit the ball central. This is the central box theory. It is dangerous to hit the ball close to the sidelines. The ball should be hit with at least two feet of margin of error when playing towards a sideline. 4. Hit the ball deep. One should pay close attention to how deep the ball is landing in the court. Hitting the ball short results in more errors into the net and gives your opponent the opportunity to attack. 5. Hit the ball crosscourt. The best percentage shot from the baseline is to hit the ball crosscourt. The distance diagonally across the court is longer, the net is lower in the middle and it is easier to cover the return shot. And remember one's stratey is as good as one's ability to execute ! |