1. If you are a serious tennis player, or someone who wants to improve your tennis game, you've got to practice. And practice on a consistent basis. But the question is, WHO should you practice with?
2. You can always find someone to play with. If no one's around head down to the public park and hit against the backboard. Rally against the wall. I do this even today, and I've been playing tennis for 35 years (I'm 45). In fact, many of the best players, including the pros, started out this way.
3. The question of WHO you should practice with is a very important one. In fact, I think it's largely overlooked in junior tennis programs today.
4. First and foremost, you need to be playing sets against players you can usually beat. So I'm addressing this to junior players who play tournaments, or anyone who plays competitive tennis. Play sets and play people you can beat--that's the rule!
5. Let me explain. Tennis is an ego game. To improve your game you'll need lots of CONFIDENCE. You'll need to stroke your ego, and trust me this is what WINNING will do for you!
6. With winning consistently, not only will you gain confidence but your game will actually IMPROVE. It is a myth that you improve by losing! Don't believe it for a second! The only thing losing on a regular basis breeds is a deflated ego and expectation of more losses.
7. As your game improves and you knock off better and better players, you'll be motivated to practice more.
8. Winning is a virtuous cycle: WIN, gain Confidence, Improve, Play more. Bottom line: Winning on a consistent basis is mandatory---and addictive! Once you get used to it (winning) you'll never go back to losing...because it just doesn't feel as good!!
9. So let's talk about WHO your victims ought to be. But first, let me give you an example of the type of victim that's out there.. I am playing in a league. I won my first two matches rather easily; my third match emailed me after seeing my results and said, "Well, I guess I'll be your next victim, when do you want to play"? You see, the hat trick was already in the bag!! Before we'd even stepped on the court, he saw my winning streak and figured I was on a roll. He was right, I beat him 6-2, 6-0.
10. Okay, I talked about playing better players. I'll say more about that in a moment but for now you must find "competition" you can whip week in and week out. When you both walk on the court you both know who the likely victor will be: YOU.
11. In fact, find two or three "victims." Play them every week. Make sure it's three different people--not one player 3 times! You should beat this person at least 3 out of every 4 times you play. The scores should look something like: 6-3, 6-4 (1st week); 6-2, 7-5 (2nd week); 6-3, 7-6 (3rd week) and maybe 4-6, 5-7 (you lose) in the 4th week. Tight sets are good. It gets you used to the "pressure" and there's nothing wrong with losing a match occasionally to him...just don't let it happen too often.
12. The point is not that you win every single set, but that you establish the fact that you are the acknowledged "better player." Your regular opponent must know that on most occasions he's going to lose to YOU. And most definitely when the "chips are down" he's going to lose big-time to you. Why? Because again, you are the recognized better player. You beat him regularly in practice and you know how to beat him. The PATTERN of your dominance is well-established.
13. I think you should practice with different age groups, if possible. Also, find opponents with varying styles: for example, find a lefty with a big serve. Also, if you can find someone with a good TWO-HANDED BACKHAND who brings it crosscourt, all the better. This will force you to hit LOTS of backhands and this will improve your game greatly! (There are not that many players with good, let alone really good backhands..Find them and play them!).
14. In addition to the two or three weekly matches, you'll need to find a couple players that are a notch above your regular victims. In fact, these opponents are able to beat you. You may beat them also, but going into the match it's 50/50. However, don't play them every week. Play them every 2 or 3 weeks or even once a month. Afterall, if they're your age you'll probably run into them in tournaments.
15. So how should your matches go with this top quality opponent---the one who usually beats you two out of three sets? First, the sets should be tight. You may lose 6-4, 7-5. Occasionally you pull one out. But for the most he's got your number. Play this guy once a month---not more often.
16. How often should you lose a practice match? I believe that if you're losing 50% of the time that's way too much. Even 33% of the time is too often in my book. You need to be winning at least 75% of your matches (3 out of 4). If that's not the case, find easier targets.
17. Tennis is extremely mental. It's also a "confidence game." The more confident you are the more you'll want to play and the more you'll believe you're going to win. Losing does not breed confidence. And it's debatable whether it'll help your game or not.
18. Also, importantly, if you are playing someone week in and week out who you easily beat (eg 6-1, 6-0) and he's struggling to win games (let alone sets) don't keep playing him. Scratch him off the practice list. That's too easy a match. Bagle him a few times and then politely suggest that he find other "easier" practice mathces.
19. Finally, don't play anyone who "whoops" on you---where YOU are the one struggling to win games! Be realistic, know your limits and know that only winning breeds confidence and joy.
20. I utterly reject the notion that the game of tennis is "not about winning." On the contrary it's all about winning because only in winning does one gain confidence, enjoy playing and actually improve. Losing all the time is a bummer. Let's be honest.
21. So go out and find two or three you can beat consistently. Find one or maybe two additional players who can push you to the limit and even beat you. Afterall, if you won EVERY time you stepped on the court the element of suspense would be lost, now don't you think?
22. Next time I will talk about HOW you should practice if you want to improve your tennis game. This is an important topic because I believe many players, even advanced players, take the totally wrong approach to practice sessions.
23. I welcome any and all of your comments---from pros as well ordinary folk!
