Bigger Better Tennis - Paul Dale

The 8 Opposites: Match Strategy to Outsmart Your Opponent Every tennis player has preferences. Some like the ball high, others low. Some thrive on fast shots, while others prefer slower rallies. Some feel comfortable with the ball wide, while others struggle when it's played into their body. Finally, some players like being at the net, while others are at their best when rallying from the baseline. These four opposites — High vs Low, Fast vs Slow, Wide vs Tight, and Up vs. Back — create a framework for analyzing an opponent. No player is equally comfortable with both choices in any pair. One will always be better than the other, and that's where strategy comes in.  The key to winning a match is figuring out which of these "preferences/opposites"  bothers  your opponent the most and use it to your advantage Understanding the 8 Opposites in Detail High vs. Low – Some players excel at hitting high-bouncing shots, while others struggle with them and prefer lower, sk...

  The Necessity of Hitting Aces in Professional Tennis In professional tennis, the serve is more than just a way to begin a point—for advanced players, the ability to hit aces consistently is not a luxury but a necessity. Let’s explore why delivering aces is crucial and how it impacts a player’s overall game and match performance. Dominating with your serve is a crucial part of  professional tennis. 1. Serving Aggressively: Protecting Your Service Games Losing your serve can spell disaster, and often means also losing the set. Matches at the professional level are frequently decided by a single break of serve, and recovering from such a loss of serve can feel like climbing a mountain. This is why maintaining an aggressive mindset and aiming for aces throughout the match is vital. An aggressive mindset keeps you "honest". Hitting regular aces can save energy while also sending a psychological message to the opponent, signalling that they will have few chances to break your se...

As tennis coaches, we must constantly refine our skills, seek new knowledge, and challenge how we do things . Here are three proven ways to boost your coaching ability , along with insights into why they work and what to watch for. 1. Attend ITF Workshops and Learn from Experts One of the easiest ways to gain knowledge as a tennis coach is by attending International Tennis Federation (ITF) workshops and other similar events. These gatherings offer insights from experienced speakers, access to the latest trends in coaching , and an opportunity to network with other coaches from around the world. However, it’s important to recognize that this form of learning only takes you so far. ITF workshops often focus on foundational principles, which are invaluable but may eventually plateau in their usefulness. As you progress, you’ll need to seek out more specialized sources of inspiration and deeper knowledge tailored to your specific coaching goals. 2. Learn from Mentors and Collaborat...