Lessons/Classes

It is always a good idea to take lessons and make sure ones mechanics are in good shape but here is some food for thought. When you watch one of the pros play many have unique styles.

Some hit lots of spin, some more flat, some with an open stance and some sideways to the ball. There are some things that they all must do to be effective:

• They all watch the ball so they...
  ...can prepare early for their shot.
• Footwork - the pros are always moving their feet to prepare early for their shots. This includes little adjustment steps to make sure of the contact and direction of the ball.
• Conditioning - to move the feet means they have to keep their fitness up. Some of the pros who are less consistent may not be training as hard.
• All the work done in the first three bullets is to make sure that the ball contact happens with the weight going forward. This makes for the most consistent of shots and the least amount of arm pain.

Yes there are a lot of other aspects of the game but if you succeed in the four points above you are most of the way towards playing good enjoyable tennis.