Six things every tennis player should do, according to Northcliff Country Tennis Club

No one is able to walk onto a tennis court for the first time and play well immediately.

Lots of hard work goes into developing one’s skills, technique and fitness before she or he can win a tournament.

According to coach Douglas Mumba of Northcliff Tennis Club, there are six things every tennis player should do during practice:

1. Physical training

Start a practice by stretching. Then run around the court two or three times while criss-crossing your feet, doing lunges or lifting your knees up, just to prepare yourself for the workout.
Tennis requires speed, particularly at the highest level, so do a speed drill such as sprinting on the spot for 10 seconds. Then place the cones at the back of the court to do sprints forwards and backwards, then sideways to improve your agility.

2. Technique

Start by rallying in the service court, both forehand and backhand, before moving to the baseline to rally full court.
When you are at the baseline, five game situations must be practised. This means hitting a forehand or backhand, then approach the net for a volley. Practise serves and returns of serve as well.
“From my coaching experience and watching players practise at intermediate level, the serve is the least practised stroke but most important weapon at the highest level. I encourage players to spent more time practising the serve, while not overlooking other strokes,” said Mumba.

3. Footwork

Because of back and forth, and side-to-side movement, footwork is important. When practising, make sure your practice partner or coach moves you side to side or vice versa.

4. Mental toughness

Learn from others, particularly players better than you, how they stay in the game and focus whether winning or losing. Challenge yourself by playing points. Always stay positive.

5. Strategy and tactics

Have a game plan when playing points. Use your strengths most of the time and exploit your opponent’s weaknesses.

6. Practise in your mind

The basics are very important in tennis so practise in your dreams, when showering, or even eating, and it will come naturally.

Bonus: Eat well

Mumba says that eating too much or too much of the wrong food makes it difficult to meet the physical demands of tennis. Many players do not follow a strict diet, but good players at least try to follow a balanced diet.

Details: Douglas Mumba mumbadouglas89@gmail.com; 081 073 4615.

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