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Tennis is a fast-paced racket sport that offers a host of benefits including community, enhanced fitness, and well-being. So, it’s no surprise that more and more people are taking up the sport. If you are a beginner or just looking to improve, read on for 6 ways you can improve your game, fast.
Watch the Ball
Always keep your eyes on the ball. Tennis, unlike sports such as football and soccer, relies on focus, rather than force and speed. Make sure you hold the racket gently and don’t focus on moving with too much speed. Instead move with accuracy, keeping a watchful eye on the movements of the ball.
This approach also goes for serving. It can be tempting to put all your force behind your service. However, this is unnecessary and will simply tire you out faster. Focus on hitting the ball exactly where you want it to go, rather than how hard you can hit it.
Watch What You Eat
Like with any sport, your lifestyle off the court will affect how you play. Make sure you are hydrated before and during the match. Not drinking enough water means your body will have to work much harder. In addition to being hydrated, a well-balanced diet of nourishing food will go a long way to improving your performance. So, opt for healthy high protein meals before a big match.
Watch Out for Injuries
When playing any sport, it’s important to watch out for any niggling aches and pains before they get worse. Left untreated, aches and pains can turn into serious problems that could see you out of play with a long recovery time. A common problem tennis players suffer from is tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis. The most common symptom is pain around the elbow that moves down your arm. As mentioned, prevention is always quicker and more effective than a cure, so if you play regularly, you’ll want to invest in an elbow support brace to avoid injury.
Invest in Your Equipment
If you’re a new player, there’s no need to break the bank when buying your racquet. However, there are certain things you can look out for. A smaller head size will give you more control, but less power. A light racket provides more power, but less control and the string bed will also affect your control and power. So, it’s worthwhile ensuring your racquet has a healthy mix of the two.
Watch Your Competition
A good way to improve in any field is with healthy competition. Try to play with people who are better than you. It can be disheartening, and it will be challenging, but this is the only way you will improve. Playing opponents who offer no challenge will never improve your game. In addition to some healthy competition, don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Ask if your opponent noticed any ways that you could improve your game before your rematch. Most players will be as enthusiastic as you and are sure to have plenty of tips and tricks. If there aren’t many players in your circle, consider joining a club.
Relax and Enjoy
Playing sport should always be about enjoyment. So, relax and don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re not making improvements as quickly as you’d like. Practice makes perfect, so stay at it and enjoy.
