3 Tips to Improve Your Tennis Swing
Summer is almost here, which means warmer weather, longer days, and more time out on the court playing tennis. Few things are more enjoyable than a hard fought match on a sunny summer day, and few things will ruin that perfect image than the inability to drive the ball consistently and accurately. When it comes to playing tennis well, nothing is more important than your swing. So, if you find your shots are often sailing on you or ending up in the net, here are three tips to improve your tennis swing.
Get the Right Gear
The quickest way to improve your swing happens before you even step on the court. Checking your equipment to make sure that it’s in good working order is an easy way to ensure that you’re not handicapping yourself before the first ball is served.
Take a close look at the strings on your racket; if any seem abnormally loose or look damaged then its time to take a trip to your local pro shop and get them restrung. Most major sporting goods stores will have the ability to restring your racket for around $30, but if you want to make the biggest impact on your swing it may be worth the extra cost to get a pro shop to do it for you.
Your local pro shop can help you determine the perfect string tension for your game. Most rackets are strung between 64 and 67 pounds, and being off by a few pounds can have serious consequences for your game.
Add More Power to Your Game
When it comes deciding a match between top level professional tennis players, victory often comes down to those who are able to add extra power to shots that help place balls out of an opponents reach. Being able to consistently drive the ball with power will reduce the amount of time your opponent has to line up a shot for a return, leading to more unforced errors and more points for you.
The best way to alter your swing to increase your power is by rotating your hips and shoulders by almost 90 degrees, and then turning your entire body square to the ball as your arm moves through the contact zone. Extending your arm further back at the beginning of the swing phase will increase your racket speed on your follow-through, so that when the head of your racket finally hits the ball, it will do so with much greater speed and power.
Learn From the Best
As always, lessons from your local pro are a great way to improve your swing, Unfortunately, this may not always be an option, as many people don’t have the time or resources for private tennis lessons. Thankfully, technology has made learning from the best easier and more affordable than ever.
Visualizing a correct swing is an excellent way to improve your own, and no one does it better or more consistently than the top pros in the world. Watching the world’s top players and their respective swings can help you understand the fundamentals of what goes into a high level forehand. Spend an afternoon watching superstars like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams, as they play in tournaments. Focus on how not just they move their rackets, but how their lower body functions in concert with their shoulders and head. If you can learn how the best of the best do it time and time again, you’ll be on your way to an improved swing in no time!
Summer is almost here, which means warmer weather, longer days, and more time out on the court playing tennis. Few things are more enjoyable than a hard fought match on a sunny summer day, and few things will ruin that perfect image than the inability to drive the ball consistently and accurately. When it comes to playing tennis well, nothing is more important than your swing. So, if you find your shots are often sailing on you or ending up in the net, here are three tips to improve your tennis swing.