June 2003
I get asked many questions around the club and I decided to answer some in this
column. If you have any questions you might want to see in the future, please
feel free to email me with those questions or just write them down on your billing
or just ask me when you're at the club. Here is my first batch of questions.
It's a game of non-stop decision-making. There's a constant challenge of making the ball go where you want it to go, and you don't have to wait long to get another chance at it.
To play it intuitively, with feelingyes. To chase the ball around, sweat, giggle and occasionally make a great shotno.
Forever. In a way that's what makes it a lifetime sportyou never get bored.
Having a lesson from a great teacher like Hunter certainly helps and will speed up your understanding of the game, but you can still pick up knowledge by watching good players, reading tennis magazines and books and talking to other tennis players.
To develop an all-court game, the groundstrokes and volleys should be taught, learned and practiced together. That way you'll be motivated to learn the grips and grip changing, and how to use spin.
Consistent attack works best. But some players enjoy a counter-punching game (You make the first move, and I'll respond). Unforced errors play a big part in determining who wins.
Two-handers typically return and pass better; and one handers volley better. It's possible to return with two hands and volley with one.
Continental grip users make good serve and volleyers, but not as good groundstrokers. (Eastern grips work better. Changing grips works best.)
By remembering that it's impossible to be angry and concentrate!