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Proper Breathing in Tennis
Breathing properly is extremely important in tennis for being able to play loose and consistent throughout an entire match.
It is easy to lose control of it during the times of high pressure in any sport. Improper breathing can sabotage the fine muscular coordination necessary in tennis as a result of oxygen deficit that can also trigger emotional distress.
This needs to be learned and practiced by synchronizing it with hitting the ball: breathe in through your nose as the ball is coming, breath out through your mouth upon contact!
Breathing in should be slow and rhythmic from deep in the lower part of your stomach.
Breathing out should be forceful and deliberate - "smash the ball with your breath!"
The more you practice this the more it will become a habit and happen naturally during a match when the pressure is on. As a matter of fact, in a pressure match situation, synchronizing your breathing with hitting the ball can be a very effective way of controlling your nerves and it will definitely help you play more relaxed and more consistent.
Example:
- groundstroke: breath in as the ball approaches, breath out as you swing/contact;
- serve: inhale as you toss the ball, exhale as you swing/contact.
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