Being Ready to Play Tennis

Tennis can be a very demanding sport, and as you improve, your preparation needs to become more rigorous. So, where do you start? Equipment - you need to have the right type of racquet that suits your style of play. The racquet needs to be strung with a string that will benefit you. The tension of the racquet can also be a factor - the tighter the strings the more control, the looser the strings the more power. The size of the grip is important, but often overlooked. If the grip is too big you could have a tendency to grip it tighter than you should, which could cause problems the more you play. A quick test to determine if the grip size is right for you - when your hand is around the racquet you should be able to put the little finger of your opposite hand in the gap between your fingers and the heel of your hand. This should fill the gap, but if there is still room then the grip is too big.

The better a player becomes the higher likelihood that they will break a string. At the professional level players usually go on court with between 4-6 racquets in their bags, all the same racquet but strung at different tensions to allow the player to adjust to the conditions. If it is hot players are more inclined to use a tighter racquet and when it is cold they would use a looser racquet. However, most amateurs only own one racquet, and rarely get the strings restrung.  A general rule of thumb is to get your racquet strung in relation to the number of days you play per week. For example, if you play three times a week, you should get you racquet strung three times a year. This is different when you actually break strings, then you can replace them when they break. If you are a player who competes in tournaments, high school matches, and league matches, it would not be a bad idea to have a secondary racquet. It would be great if it was the same racquet and this would be extremely important if you break strings. There is nothing worse than having to finish a competitive match with a racquet you are not familiar with.

Another critical area are your shoes. Your feet are extremely important to successful playing. If you have the wrong size shoe, this could create a problem like hammer toe, where your toe hits the end of the shoe and could cause the loss of the nail. It can be very painful and easily avoided with the right shoe size. On the flip side if the shoe is too big it can compromise a player's movement, making them slower than they should be and increasing the likelihood of tripping and rolling an ankle. Shoes are designed in different ways, but tennis shoes usually sit lower to the ground with no arch. Running shoes have an arch to help cushion the foot and allow you to run for longer distances. Tennis shoes need to have lateral support so the ankle does not give under the stress of stop-start movements.  A lighter weight shoe is ideal for feel and comfort but usually has very little durability. The shoes that are more durable usually have some weight but if you are efficient in your movements it should not affect your playing.

So now you have the right racquet and shoes. What else do you need? Hats or visors are extremely important in sunny and/or hot weather. Too many players fail to appreciate the benefits of wearing a hat or visor. At first it might feel a little restrictive but it provides good sun protection. It also helps prevent sweat from building on your brow and running into your eyes. Sunglasses are also extremely beneficial at cutting down the brightness from the sun. They can really help you to focus on the ball without having to deal with the sun; however, when the speed increases it can be difficult to judge the ball, so many professionals still prefer to play without sunglasses.

The last piece of equipment that is useful but not essential would be a towel. If you are a player who sweats a great deal then a towel would be more of an essential item. The use of a towel is usually best utilized at the change of ends; however, you could place it at the back of the court and use it between points if the conditions are extremely hot. Towels can also be used to cool down. Wet the towel with cold water and put it either on your forehead or behind your neck to help you to quickly cool down.

I will address other important elements to help you to be ready to play in my next newsletter article. These will include amount of rest prior to playing, what type of hydration is best pre-match and post-match, what types of food are good to eat pre-match and post-match, and what  types of off-court training will help prepare you for a tough three-set match.

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