February 2003
Sit courtside at a professional tournament and the sound that stands out, besides the distinctive thud of a well-struck ball, is the shuffling of feet.
Good footwork has a sound to it. You hear the squeaking of rubber from the small adjustment steps that precede the hit. Close your eyes and you'll hear the ball bounce, then at least a couple of steps prior to contact. It's with these steps that the player positions himself to make a perfect strike of the ball.
You'll hear breathing--you'll hear it timed with the stroke. The player inhales on the backswing, exhales on the forward swing. Some players make noise as they exhale, to enhance their sense of timing.
Listen closely and you may be able to discern from flat, topspin and slice shots; each makes a distinctive sound.
When you get back on the court yourself, remember what you heard and listen to your own breathing, footwork and shoemaking.
Those sounds will lead you to better tennis.