5 Tips to Properly Warm Up for Tennis

It’s always entertaining to watch players so enthusiastic to play tennis that they immediately jump into a match without taking the time to warm up properly. However, to enjoy this sport for a longer period, especially competitively, it’s essential to warm up properly.

Here are some guidelines that can help you start the match on the right foot:

  1. Take it Easy: Avoid hitting hard, putting the ball away, or running too much in the warm-up. Instead, focus on feeling the ball and getting your body loose.
  2. Observe Your Opponent: Try to spot any weaknesses in your opponent’s technique that you can exploit during the match.
  3. Keep Your Special Shots a Secret: If you have any “special shots” that you’re very confident with, don’t show them off during the warm-up.
  4. Stay Focused: Avoid letting any emotions come out in the warm-up. Remember, this is not the actual match.
  5. Avoid Conversations: Do not initiate conversations with your opponents before, during, or after the warm-up other than the usual match-related information. Talking is for after the match is over!

I would like to elaborate on the last point, which is based on a true story.
Once, during a warm-up, my opponent complimented my forehand groundstroke, and it made me overly conscious of not showing it off during the match. As a result, I felt more tense and began to question my abilities.
So, it’s crucial to avoid letting compliments or remarks from your opponents distract you from the match ahead.

To wrap it up, the love for competition is so big that many players overlook the importance of warming up correctly. But, by following these simple guidelines, you can set yourself up for a better start to the match, improve your game, and enjoy the sport for a more extended period.

 

Cosmin Miholca

Cosmin Miholca

Certified Tennis Coach

Check out my work at WebTennis24 where I share with you my best video tennis lessons, drills and tips for players, coaches and tennis parents.

Challenging Questions in Tennis

challenging tennis match

You are in a very tough match. Your opponent is striving to win and making you work hard for every point. You struggle physically and mentally and think about whether you have the strength to go all the way.

The inevitable questions come to your mind: Is my struggle worth it? Is the effort worth it? Why should I try my best? Do I HAVE to try my best?

The truth is that every competitive player has been in this situation: give up or keep fighting…

Why “give up”?
Well, for the simple reason that giving up gets us back to our comfort zone – going back to the intimacy of our home, relaxing with family and friends, and… just resting.

On the other side, the “keep fighting” mode means continuing the hard work and the understanding that if we win then we’ll have to get back on the court the next day (during a tennis tournament) and go through this “struggle” all over again.
It is not easy to keep going. It is not easy to keep fighting. The idea of giving up is so… tempting. It is a lot easier to give up than to fight… It is a lot easier to stay in comfort than not.

I don’t blame you if you decide to play and lose. I don’t blame you if you don’t want to continue even though you could. But I will tell you that what you do on the tennis court will reflect what you will do in life!

Cosmin Miholca

Cosmin Miholca

Certified Tennis Coach

Check out my work at WebTennis24 where I share with you my best video tennis lessons, drills and tips for players, coaches and tennis parents.