Tips to Prepare Well for a Tennis Tournament Match
Suggestion of items to have in your tennis bag:
- 2 or more racquets (In case a string breaks or the tension isn’t right!)
- Spare grips (overgrips)
- Water & Banana or alternatives
- Towel
- Sun cream
- Cap
- Plasters
Warming up for your tennis match:
- Try to have a hit for about 30 minutes to 1 hour in the morning before your match if possible
- When at the tournament, you could warm up with a skipping rope for 1 to 2 minutes
And/or
- Find your own space, and do a dynamic warm up for 2 minutes
- See sample 2 minute dynamic warm up video here
Warming up shots as you go onto the court:
(Depending on amount of time given)
- Warm up groundstrokes with your opponent at the baseline. When warming up your groundstrokes don’t hit the ball too hard at the start trying to not miss any shots. Try to look for a weakness in your opponent’s game.
- Take some volleys & smashes (try to do 5 or more smashes)
- Your opponent may also ask to have some volleys and smashes
- Warm up Serves (minimum of 6 serves each side) so 12 in total. Again gradually increase the pace of your serves, trying to get the first 3 serves in with hardly any pace. If hitting 6 serves each side, you could do two “Second Serves”, two “T” serves and two “Wide serves”.
Starting the match:
- If you win the toss, if you are confident in your serve, ideally serve first but that is up to you whatever you feel most comfortable in doing. Ideally choose the sunny end (IF SUNNY!) first so your opponent is looking into the sun for the 2nd and 3rd games.
Some Tactics for your match:
- Each opponent is different but the advice I give to all players is to “TRY AND FIND A WEAKNESS”! As mentioned above you may spot something during the warm up such as their backhand might be weaker, they aren’t good at volleys or their movement isn’t the best. Test them out at the start of the match by giving them different shots.
- If your opponent is hitting it too hard for your or hitting winners, try to keep the ball deeper so it is harder for them to hit the ball hard. If your opponent isn’t good up the net, then try to hit a soft low shot over the net to bring them in so you can pass them or lob them.
- For your serve, take your time. Get your feet into position. Bounce the ball twice or more and picture in your head where you want your serve to go. Go for your first serve to try and get some unreturned serves.
- Make the returns. If you can get back your opponents serve (even blocking it back) then they have to hit another shot. If their serve is fast and hard to get back then stand back a bit further behind the baseline so the serve slows down. Aiming the return deep down the middle, also gives you a better chance of getting into the point.
Mental Toughness:
- Focus on one point at a time. Don’t carry thoughts about missed shots or unforced errors into the next point.
- Keep your head held high. If you miss a shot don’t show your opponent that you are upset as that will give them confidence.
- Try to focus just on your match. There are matches going on beside you but don’t get distracted. Straighten your strings before each point and think of what you are going to try and do for the next point.
- Believe in yourself. You have all trained hard this year and all have exceptional ability.
After the match:
- Shake hands with your opponent and walk off the court together
- Win or lose be gracious to your opponent
- Fill out your match evaluation sheet to put down things you did well and things you could improve on!
- If you win fantastic! If you happen to lose, don’t worry you will learn from it and be better next time. Hang in there!
Enjoy and the very best of luck! For more tips, view the Tennis Articles section here
Rob Cherry
Be Gr8 at Tennis
