No. 1 Skill: Hit the kitchen from everywhere (drop shot, reset, dinks)

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Aspects to mind:

  • Trajectory: Have a nice arch. The further back the higher, the closer the lower the ball.
  • Footwork:
    • Back: Constantly move to the ball with many adjustment steps to keep the balance.
    • Kitchen: One big step left or right. Don’t get of balance or dance.
  • Technique:
    • Grip: Continental - index knuckle is on angled notch of the racket.
    • Use a compact motion (no floppy fish).
    • Stay on the same side (don’t go cross body) - drawing a line towards target.
    • Power comes from shoulder.
    • Spin: Use the slice for a while.

10 Things, I wish I knew earlier

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  • Using the ATP: Use around the post shot when you get a very angular dink.
  • Dink to the backhand: People are stronger on the forehand, therefore always dink to their backhand (most people are right hand) which might cause pop-ups.
  • Serving Strategy: Only go for hard serves if you’re ahead, or do it with people that don’t have a great return.
  • Attack by redirecting the ball: If you go cross-court with dinks, then accelerate down the line.
  • When to be patient: Exact players, the more patient one will win. Mostly play conservative. Make them go for the dumb shots.
  • Attack on the right balls: use every pop-up.
  • Where to aim putaway shots: At their feet or open court (if they are in the middle), or straight down the middle if they are outside.
  • The best time to poach: When one is long and you are short, poach.
  • Mental hack to win more: expect speedups at the kitchen every time. Check his hand, keep your paddle up.

WIN MORE GAMES

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  • Having a strong ready position:. Always keep the paddle up and ready and have a wide base on the legs. (Be low like a ferrari).
  • Drop: Move forward on a good drop, if it’s okay stay in transition zone, if it is bad - stay back.
  • Kitchen: If you are about to get killed, make a step back.
  • Always get quick to the kitchen of your returns.

Fast Reactions

“DON’T GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE”

Ready Position: How we’re waiting for the ball

  • wide base (feet apart), bend knees
  • racket up, slightly towards the left (to play backhand)
  • laser focused

Kitchen

  • When defending a hard shot, do very little backswing.
  • Use the crab walk.
  • Only move your arm, keep the rest still. Don’t do a jump.
  • Always go immediately back to the ready position.
  • Very little motion.
  • Right shoulder is being covered by quickly moving back.
  • Volleywar: right at opponents feet, always keep the ball low, their right shoulder, or middle/down the line (dependent on where they stand)

Back

  • Have very tight grip to not pop up.
  • Take ball low at their feet.