Q&A for How to Play Tennis

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  • Question
    What kind of conditioning will help me play tennis better?
    Peter Fryer
    Tennis Instructor
    Peter Fryer is a Tennis Instructor based in Derry, Northern Ireland. He works as both a tennis writer and a coach. He completed his professional tennis teaching qualification shortly after finishing university and has been teaching the sport for over 13 years. Peter began the Love Tennis Blog in 2010, and is a contributing writer for the BBC and a variety of other national media outlets.
    Tennis Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Spend time doing anything that gets your heart rate up and improves your fitness, strength, and flexibility. Tennis involves a lot of movement, so your muscles need to be strong and toned.
  • Question
    I'm worried that I'm not fit enough for tennis?
    Peter Fryer
    Tennis Instructor
    Peter Fryer is a Tennis Instructor based in Derry, Northern Ireland. He works as both a tennis writer and a coach. He completed his professional tennis teaching qualification shortly after finishing university and has been teaching the sport for over 13 years. Peter began the Love Tennis Blog in 2010, and is a contributing writer for the BBC and a variety of other national media outlets.
    Tennis Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Try going for a walk/jog, to the pool, or to the gym several times a week to improve your base level fitness.
  • Question
    I'm worried tennis isn't going to make me lose enough calories
    Peter Fryer
    Tennis Instructor
    Peter Fryer is a Tennis Instructor based in Derry, Northern Ireland. He works as both a tennis writer and a coach. He completed his professional tennis teaching qualification shortly after finishing university and has been teaching the sport for over 13 years. Peter began the Love Tennis Blog in 2010, and is a contributing writer for the BBC and a variety of other national media outlets.
    Tennis Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Tennis is a sport that will give you a full-body workout, but you need to have a base level of fitness before you can really maximize your potential.
  • Question
    How can I fix my serve? It goes too high.
    Community Answer
    Try adding a snap to your wrist directly after contact with the ball.
  • Question
    How can I confuse the opponent?
    Top Answerer
    One way would be to appear as if you're going to hit the ball in one direction (by looking in that direction) and then at the last instant hit it in another direction.
  • Question
    How do I know if I have a good tennis racket?
    Community Answer
    It is all based on how comfortable you are with the racket. If the racket works well with you, it is a good one. Are you hitting too many frames? Too many nets? Too many outs? Too many faults? No? then your racket is fine. Can you hit a good strong shot without the need for any strenuous effort on your part? Can you smash with the racket without your arm getting sore? Can you hit a nice serve with the right spin? If yes, you have a good racket.
  • Question
    How do I stop myself from moving my wrist on a forehand?
    Community Answer
    Practice, practice, practice. Consciously stiffen your wrist as you play, stopping now and then to ensure that your wrist is in the proper position. Over time your wrist will be inclined to stay still.
  • Question
    How can I improve my return of the ball, because I hit it wildly into the sky and out of the court?
    Olivia Wild
    Community Answer
    Tilt your racket down more. You're hitting it up because the strings are facing the sky.
  • Question
    Who gets the point if I hit the ball and it touches the net, but my opponent is unable to hit the ball before it touches the ground on their side?
    Community Answer
    You would get the point unless it was a serve.Then you will retake the serve and that is called a let.
  • Question
    Who serves after a person scores a point?
    Top Answerer
    Scoring points does not determine the server. One player serves an entire game. The other player serves the next game. They alternate this way throughout a match.
  • Question
    Why do people run out on the court when there is a net ball?
    Community Answer
    In some tournaments ball boys or ball girls will retrieve the ball after it is hit into the net in order to get the ball out of the way and reduce the wait between serves. It's safer not to have a ball rolling around the court while a point is being played.
  • Question
    How do you make the ball curve?
    Community Answer
    Slice under the ball and push it forward at the same time. This will curve the ball in the same direction you slice.
  • Question
    Should the serve always be done by throwing the ball in the sky? Any other ways?
    Community Answer
    You can simply hold the ball out with your non-dominant hand and let go just before your racket hits the ball, but it's not as accurate or powerful.
  • Question
    How can I relieve my stress during a match when my opponent keeps scoring points?
    Top Answerer
    Remind yourself that it's just a game you're playing and that your life won't be ruined if you don't win. Then keep trying to do your best so that you'll have no regrets when it's over. Remember that you're not the best tennis player in the world. You're going to lose sometimes.
  • Question
    How can I do perfect slice backhands that go over the net and in?
    Community Answer
    Turn the racket face down so the strings are pointed a bit downward and complete a straight line motion.
  • Question
    Should we switch sides of the court when we score points?
    Community Answer
    No, they do not switch sides after each point is won, but they may switch sides after each set (a set of 6 games).
  • Question
    What if I am playing doubles and I hit the ball in the alley?
    Community Answer
    Just continue playing as normal when playing regular doubles. If you are on the doubles side during a Canadian doubles match or are playing singles, however, then this counts as out.
  • Question
    When returning a serve do I have to return it behind the baseline or can I run forward to return it if the serve does not have enough power in it?
    Community Answer
    You can return a serve from anywhere, but the serve has to land in the service box on the corresponding diagonal (from server) side.
  • Question
    I am 18 now. I wasn't that good when I started at 11, but now I can say I am an amateur. I have really improved; I win sets. I have been playing for years now, so why can't I play as powerful as Novac Djokovic?
    Top Answerer
    Djokovic is 13 years older than you and in his prime. As you get older you'll get stronger. Keep working on your fundamentals. Time is on your side.
  • Question
    I serve the ball fine but I am not good at returning the ball when it's hit to me. How can i improve?
    Save Codax
    Community Answer
    A very important thing is to watch carefully the ball and to have good timing when going to hit the ball. But it also depends by your playing level and a lot of other possible reasons (for example, the position of the body or the legs). This article explains it really well, but to improve your tennis level the best thing to do is to have a trainer who helps you (this is the best in absolute), or watch some video lessons online.
  • Question
    I would really like to play tennis, but have never done it before and I think I may be too old for it, I do not want to be on a team with little kids or a bunch of pros, what do I do?
    Community Answer
    Usually every club has a class of learning adults. If you didn't find anything, then the best option is to pay an instructor to teach you. If you can't afford the cost of it, then ask a friend or someone experienced to play with you and improve your level day after day. However, you're never too old to learn tennis, if you really want to learn, you'll be able to.
  • Question
    I'm 24 and I'm a beginner. I love tennis and I want to take it as a career, should I go on?
    Community Answer
    Professionals make the job look easy, and it is recommended that you take small steps. This sport requires much practice and it is better to start with smaller goals, as when you take big ones it may be a bit discouraging. It takes tons of time and effort to want to go pro, but if you want it enough, anything is possible.
  • Question
    how many times can the ball touch the ground before you hit it over?
    Sweetpie23
    Community Answer
    It can only touch once but if you hit it without touching, then that still counts too.
  • Question
    How much time do I need to learn tennis?
    Sweetpie23
    Community Answer
    Everyone is different. Some people catch on right away but others might take much longer. Keep practicing!
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