As I'm writing this, it's sleeting, the temperature is below freezing, and my thoughts wander to all the tennis balls and tennis racquets being stored in their owner's cars, outside in the elements. I would venture to guess that 50% of you reading this have your car outside, and your racket (or bag) and balls sit on the car seat or in the trunk.
Extreme temperatures, be it cold or heat, adversely affect your equipment. Let's begin with tennis balls. If you leave your tennis balls, even a new can, in extremely cold temperatures like the ones Tallahassee is experiencing today, they will not perform as well as you would like when you attempt to play your match. The reason is the cold temperature slow the pressurized molecules inside the balls, which reduces the pressure inside the ball, and causes them to bounce lower than normal.
The extreme cold also negatively impacts both your frame and the strings inside. The extreme cold deadens the frame's responsiveness and also reduces the elasticity of your strings, causing them to feel unduly stiff. Even the softest, most elastic string will feel like a brick wall after a night in the car or garage with freezing temperature. The most flexible racquet will also feel stiffer than normal in the same circumstances. Even for the most novice of players, this will affect your play negatively.
Extreme heat, as Tallahassee sees in the summer, is also bad for your equipment. The balls, will be more lively if left in the heat and will play faster and bounce higher. This is because the heat excites the molecules inside the ball, which increases the pressure.
The extreme heat is kryptonite for your frame and strings. Left in the heat and sun, your strings will get looser faster, causing you to hit with more depth and spray balls long. The integrity of your racquet's frame is compromised by being left in the heat and sun. The two elements break down the materials and causes the frame to lose responsiveness. If left in the car in the heat too long, your racquet will effectively "die," Most frames that are used by regular players die in two-three years (less if you are a tournament junior) - this is if they are store properly. If they are store improperly in the car with high temps and constant sun, their life expectancy can be reduced by one year or more.
The proper place to store all your equipment when you aren't playing is inside your home under temperature control. Most homes stay between 65-75 year round, so this will suffice for storage. Keep your equipment away from windows that let in sunlight. A dark closet is best.
Keeping your equipment stored properly will help ensure you play to your potential each time you play. Take the five seconds it takes to remove your equipment from your car when you come home and take it inside the house. Your equipment, your pocketbook, and your match results will thank you.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
Choosing the Right Pro for Your Child
In order for your child to fall in love with tennis and develop their game to their potential, the selection of your child's first tennis professional (coach) is the most important decision you must make. There are many people in the marketplace with which to choose from, how to make the decision?
1) Get feedback from other parents whose children are close to the age and ability of your child.
Asking the parents of a child going off on a tennis scholarship is probably not the best person to ask for recommendations if your child is a 6 yrs old beginner. The reverse is also not the best idea. Ask around to see if there is a consensus. If there appears to be one, begin your search there.
2) If you have sought a recommendation, quickly dismiss any bias you may have acquired through those discussions.
Just because Pro A was great with their child, does not mean they will be great with yours. You must watch the interactions between the professional and your child. Determine if the pro is engaging to your child, and if your child responds well to instruction, praise, criticism, and discipline from the pro.
3) Let your child choose the pro
The most important factor in a child's ability to develop their tennis skills is whether or not they sincerely like their coach. If your child can't stop telling you how great their coach is, or spend the entire car ride telling you verbatim everything the coach said or did, chances are you have found the right person. Conversely, if they show zero interest after lessons, in the pro or the class, it's best you save your money and time, and continue your search. Just like any relationship, chemistry is vital to success.
4) Once the child and you choose the pro, he/she should be the "lead" pro
Continuity of learning is important. The best solution is stay with your lead pro throughout their development. However, if you and the child go to different facilities for your child's tennis, be sure that only your lead pro is determining the course of development. This way your child can use the extra time at the secondary facility working on the things your lead pro is teaching them. Most facilities and ethical pros will respect your desire to have only one lead pro. You or your child should tell the secondary facility/pros what specifically the lead pro is working on.
5) After your selection
Once you have selected a pro, then you must manage your expectations for development. This should be coordinated with your pro. Set goals, even if the child's goals are simply extra-curricular. If the goals are lofty - like a college scholarship, make sure these goals are discussed from the get go.
Finally, judge the results accordingly based on the goals. If it turns out you must switch pros at any time in your child's development for any reason, simply go back and follow steps 1-3 listed here again. Even though the age and skill level may change, the child must sincerely like their pro.
1) Get feedback from other parents whose children are close to the age and ability of your child.
Asking the parents of a child going off on a tennis scholarship is probably not the best person to ask for recommendations if your child is a 6 yrs old beginner. The reverse is also not the best idea. Ask around to see if there is a consensus. If there appears to be one, begin your search there.
2) If you have sought a recommendation, quickly dismiss any bias you may have acquired through those discussions.
Just because Pro A was great with their child, does not mean they will be great with yours. You must watch the interactions between the professional and your child. Determine if the pro is engaging to your child, and if your child responds well to instruction, praise, criticism, and discipline from the pro.
3) Let your child choose the pro
The most important factor in a child's ability to develop their tennis skills is whether or not they sincerely like their coach. If your child can't stop telling you how great their coach is, or spend the entire car ride telling you verbatim everything the coach said or did, chances are you have found the right person. Conversely, if they show zero interest after lessons, in the pro or the class, it's best you save your money and time, and continue your search. Just like any relationship, chemistry is vital to success.
4) Once the child and you choose the pro, he/she should be the "lead" pro
Continuity of learning is important. The best solution is stay with your lead pro throughout their development. However, if you and the child go to different facilities for your child's tennis, be sure that only your lead pro is determining the course of development. This way your child can use the extra time at the secondary facility working on the things your lead pro is teaching them. Most facilities and ethical pros will respect your desire to have only one lead pro. You or your child should tell the secondary facility/pros what specifically the lead pro is working on.
5) After your selection
Once you have selected a pro, then you must manage your expectations for development. This should be coordinated with your pro. Set goals, even if the child's goals are simply extra-curricular. If the goals are lofty - like a college scholarship, make sure these goals are discussed from the get go.
Finally, judge the results accordingly based on the goals. If it turns out you must switch pros at any time in your child's development for any reason, simply go back and follow steps 1-3 listed here again. Even though the age and skill level may change, the child must sincerely like their pro.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Doubles Partner Etiquette
In response to some questions I have received regarding line calls in doubles, I thought I would list some common doubles partner etiquette that some of you may be unaware of.
Your Team's Line Calls
The golden rule of line calls is "If you aren't sure, it's in." This means if you only THINK it's out, it is in. In doubles, it may be that one of you has a better view than the other. In this situation, it may be that one partner's call gets "overruled" by the other. In these situations, the partners need to come together and decide who had the better view, and who is 100% sure of their call. If both players only THINK the ball is out or in, they must call it in. If one KNOWS it's out then go with that call. If one thinks it's out, and the other KNOWS it's in, then you must call it in, lest you wish to release the wrath of the benevolent tennis gods.
It is a good idea to discuss line call etiquette with your partner before the match begins, so there are no surprises. I have seen plenty of occasions when a dispute over a line call resulted in partners no longer communicating for the rest of the match, and their team chemistry was destroyed. Losing is sure to follow when that happens.
Calling out "YOURS!"
The use of the word "yours" in doubles has a specific time and place. The earlier it is said the better. The worst time to say "YOURS!" is once your partner is already in position and getting ready to play the ball. At this time, screaming out "yours" is simply a distraction, much in the same way it would be if your opponents screamed something out while your partner was playing the ball. The difference is if your opponents do it, you can take the point provided you don't attempt to hit the ball (according to the rules), but if your partner does it, you have no recourse.
Use "YOURS!" only when the ball is in your field of play, and as soon as you decide you aren't going to play it. If the ball is clearly in your partner's field of play there is no need to call out yours. Waiting for the ball to go over your head and bounce is too late to call out "yours." It is also inappropriate to call out "YOURS!" every time the ball is clearly your partner's ball. This is tennis, remember silence is golden. Only call out when that type of communication is absolutely necessary.
Lying To Your Partner
If your partner is serving or playing the baseline, and the ball they hit is called out by your opponents, but they feel the ball was in, they will likely ask you for your opinion of whether or not the ball was in. In this special circumstance, it will behoove you to simply tell your partner the call was correct. After the set or the match, you can go back to your partner and tell them they got hosed on the call. When a partner is asking you if the opponent's call is correct, it is usually because they are already upset at the call, and confirmation will only serve to further irritate them. This will lead your partner to lose focus on the match, instead they will be focused on the previous call, and their play will suffer.
Post Match Handshakes
In doubles, the first handshake after the match is ALWAYS with your partner. Be sure to tell them "Good Match," or something to that effect. Follow that handshake with the handshakes with your opponents.
Changeovers
It is best if you and your partner go to the bench together, and then get up and walk to the court together. Any separation should be viewed by your opponents as fractured chemistry between you and your partner. This will give your opponents more confidence.
Server's Partner Signaling Where the Server Serves and The Poach (Or Not)
The proper etiquette here is communicate with your partner before the match. Some servers prefer to feel in control of their serve,and would prefer a face to face communication where they tell the partner where they want to serve. Others like the partner signaling them where to serve. Assuming your partner prefers one way or the other is incorrect. Discuss it first.
If you know your partner prefers to be in control of where he's serving, then don't tell him or her where they should be serving. This will lead to animosity. Instead ask them if they think it would be a good idea to serve (insert type of serve and location here). This way they still feel like they are in control.
The same goes for the poach. Follow the same protocol as for the serve.
The Blame Game
Giving your partner dirty looks every time they make an error, pleading with them to play better - these types of actions should be stricken from the playbook during and after the match. Partners should be encouraging to their teammate to a fault.
On Court Coaching
In general you are no better than your partner on the court. Telling your partner where they "should have gone," or that they "should have taken that ball," or that they "should have hit a different shot," is inappropriate - especially on the court in full view of everyone. The proper time to discuss general tactics is before the match and on the changeovers. No one likes to be "called out" by their partner in front of their opponents for a poor play. This will only lead to animosity. No one wants to play with a "coach," unless the partner IS a certified coach AND it is understood that they will be giving feedback during the match.
Your Team's Line Calls
The golden rule of line calls is "If you aren't sure, it's in." This means if you only THINK it's out, it is in. In doubles, it may be that one of you has a better view than the other. In this situation, it may be that one partner's call gets "overruled" by the other. In these situations, the partners need to come together and decide who had the better view, and who is 100% sure of their call. If both players only THINK the ball is out or in, they must call it in. If one KNOWS it's out then go with that call. If one thinks it's out, and the other KNOWS it's in, then you must call it in, lest you wish to release the wrath of the benevolent tennis gods.
It is a good idea to discuss line call etiquette with your partner before the match begins, so there are no surprises. I have seen plenty of occasions when a dispute over a line call resulted in partners no longer communicating for the rest of the match, and their team chemistry was destroyed. Losing is sure to follow when that happens.
Calling out "YOURS!"
The use of the word "yours" in doubles has a specific time and place. The earlier it is said the better. The worst time to say "YOURS!" is once your partner is already in position and getting ready to play the ball. At this time, screaming out "yours" is simply a distraction, much in the same way it would be if your opponents screamed something out while your partner was playing the ball. The difference is if your opponents do it, you can take the point provided you don't attempt to hit the ball (according to the rules), but if your partner does it, you have no recourse.
Use "YOURS!" only when the ball is in your field of play, and as soon as you decide you aren't going to play it. If the ball is clearly in your partner's field of play there is no need to call out yours. Waiting for the ball to go over your head and bounce is too late to call out "yours." It is also inappropriate to call out "YOURS!" every time the ball is clearly your partner's ball. This is tennis, remember silence is golden. Only call out when that type of communication is absolutely necessary.
Lying To Your Partner
If your partner is serving or playing the baseline, and the ball they hit is called out by your opponents, but they feel the ball was in, they will likely ask you for your opinion of whether or not the ball was in. In this special circumstance, it will behoove you to simply tell your partner the call was correct. After the set or the match, you can go back to your partner and tell them they got hosed on the call. When a partner is asking you if the opponent's call is correct, it is usually because they are already upset at the call, and confirmation will only serve to further irritate them. This will lead your partner to lose focus on the match, instead they will be focused on the previous call, and their play will suffer.
Post Match Handshakes
In doubles, the first handshake after the match is ALWAYS with your partner. Be sure to tell them "Good Match," or something to that effect. Follow that handshake with the handshakes with your opponents.
Changeovers
It is best if you and your partner go to the bench together, and then get up and walk to the court together. Any separation should be viewed by your opponents as fractured chemistry between you and your partner. This will give your opponents more confidence.
Server's Partner Signaling Where the Server Serves and The Poach (Or Not)
The proper etiquette here is communicate with your partner before the match. Some servers prefer to feel in control of their serve,and would prefer a face to face communication where they tell the partner where they want to serve. Others like the partner signaling them where to serve. Assuming your partner prefers one way or the other is incorrect. Discuss it first.
If you know your partner prefers to be in control of where he's serving, then don't tell him or her where they should be serving. This will lead to animosity. Instead ask them if they think it would be a good idea to serve (insert type of serve and location here). This way they still feel like they are in control.
The same goes for the poach. Follow the same protocol as for the serve.
The Blame Game
Giving your partner dirty looks every time they make an error, pleading with them to play better - these types of actions should be stricken from the playbook during and after the match. Partners should be encouraging to their teammate to a fault.
On Court Coaching
In general you are no better than your partner on the court. Telling your partner where they "should have gone," or that they "should have taken that ball," or that they "should have hit a different shot," is inappropriate - especially on the court in full view of everyone. The proper time to discuss general tactics is before the match and on the changeovers. No one likes to be "called out" by their partner in front of their opponents for a poor play. This will only lead to animosity. No one wants to play with a "coach," unless the partner IS a certified coach AND it is understood that they will be giving feedback during the match.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Rainy Days And Mondays Never Get Me Down
Another rained out night of tennis in Tallahassee. All is lost. My game will suffer immeasurable harm from the lack of play. Nonsense! Here is very short list of things you can do at home indoors on nights like tonight to help your game get to the next level.
1. Stand in front of a mirror and do 100 reps of the stroke correction(s) your pro is working with you on. 5 minutes, with or without a racquet depending on vertical and/or horizontal space
2. Stand in front of a mirror and go through every stroke in slow motion 50 times. Do this for serve, volleys, groundstrokes, overheads, and dropshots, slice, topspin. 10 minutes, with or without racquet depending on vertical and/or horizontal space
3. If you have vaulted ceilings, practice your serve toss, by tossing the ball an arm's distance in front of you at 1 o'clock, ensuring that once your tossing arm is extended vertically, you do not have to move it in order to catch the ball as it descends. 5 minutes
4. Ball control exercises. Bounce downs, Bounce ups (both sides individually), Flips, Hammer and nail (edge of racquet bounce downs), edge of racquet bounce ups. Depending on home situation, do this in the garage with regular balls, or indoors with a nerf ball or 10 & under ball. 10 minutes
5. Ladder drills for footwork - lay out a sports ladder in the hallway. Look up on YouTube various ladder drills. 10 minutes
6. Nerf Wall Ball - Using only your dominant hand (no racquets!), keep the nerf ball going against a wall for as long as you can. 5 minutes with the ball bouncing, and 5 minutes without allowing the ball to bounce. Great for reactions, speed of hands, and volleying. 10 minutes
7. Table Tennis - must use continental grip. Great for speed of hands, touch, reactions, and volleying. Either play a sibling, family member or friend or use the playback mode of your table for solitaire. 30 minutes
8. Juggling - First train yourself to juggle two balls in one hand (both hands), then move to 3 balls using both hands together, then four balls and two hands. If you can get yourself to juggle without using your focal vision you are a master. Works on hand eye coordination, peripheral vision, touch and feel. 10 minutes
If you were scheduled to play tonight or another night in which it rains, you lose 90 minutes of court time. The above list of activities covers the same 90 minutes. You may not have all the resources listed above, but be creative and see what other things you can do - maybe ride your exercise bike, run the treadmill, do yoga, stretch, the possibilities are almost endless.
1. Stand in front of a mirror and do 100 reps of the stroke correction(s) your pro is working with you on. 5 minutes, with or without a racquet depending on vertical and/or horizontal space
2. Stand in front of a mirror and go through every stroke in slow motion 50 times. Do this for serve, volleys, groundstrokes, overheads, and dropshots, slice, topspin. 10 minutes, with or without racquet depending on vertical and/or horizontal space
3. If you have vaulted ceilings, practice your serve toss, by tossing the ball an arm's distance in front of you at 1 o'clock, ensuring that once your tossing arm is extended vertically, you do not have to move it in order to catch the ball as it descends. 5 minutes
4. Ball control exercises. Bounce downs, Bounce ups (both sides individually), Flips, Hammer and nail (edge of racquet bounce downs), edge of racquet bounce ups. Depending on home situation, do this in the garage with regular balls, or indoors with a nerf ball or 10 & under ball. 10 minutes
5. Ladder drills for footwork - lay out a sports ladder in the hallway. Look up on YouTube various ladder drills. 10 minutes
6. Nerf Wall Ball - Using only your dominant hand (no racquets!), keep the nerf ball going against a wall for as long as you can. 5 minutes with the ball bouncing, and 5 minutes without allowing the ball to bounce. Great for reactions, speed of hands, and volleying. 10 minutes
7. Table Tennis - must use continental grip. Great for speed of hands, touch, reactions, and volleying. Either play a sibling, family member or friend or use the playback mode of your table for solitaire. 30 minutes
8. Juggling - First train yourself to juggle two balls in one hand (both hands), then move to 3 balls using both hands together, then four balls and two hands. If you can get yourself to juggle without using your focal vision you are a master. Works on hand eye coordination, peripheral vision, touch and feel. 10 minutes
If you were scheduled to play tonight or another night in which it rains, you lose 90 minutes of court time. The above list of activities covers the same 90 minutes. You may not have all the resources listed above, but be creative and see what other things you can do - maybe ride your exercise bike, run the treadmill, do yoga, stretch, the possibilities are almost endless.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
City of Tallahassee Skills Assessments - Why They Matter
Tonight at Forestmeadows
at 6pm, the City of Tallahassee will be hosting skills assessments for Adult
tennis players that wish to participate in the City’s upcoming Adult clinic
session that begins next week. These
assessments were also done prior to the last session, and following tonight,
there will be an additional assessment given this coming Sunday – time to be
determined.
To view what the
assessment entails, please take the time to visit the following link:
Keep in mind
that we only use the “Male” score on the scorecard in order to keep the levels
uniform.
Skills
assessments are very important in running a cohesive and comprehensive clinic
program. There are two types of players
that participate in clinics – NTRP computer rated players, and players that are
either self-rated or do not participate in USTA league. It is important that the mixture of these two
types of players in clinics be close enough to make the work being done in the
clinic level appropriate for everyone.
Prior to skills
assessments, City clinics had numerous challenges that made organizing each
individual class, running the clinics, and retaining certain groups of players
very difficult.
We have now streamlined
our process, so that the following remedies are now in place:
1. You may only
sign up for a clinic that your NTRP Computer rating or Skill Assessment score qualifies
you for
2. Your ability
to move up to the next level class is determined by either your computer rating
going up, or your ability to score a higher score on the Skills Assessment
3. The clinic
participants at each level of clinic are now more uniform in ability level
For those who
are hesitant or adverse to any type of skills testing, first keep in mind that
if you have a computer NTRP rating, you need not take the Skills Assessment. Second, the assessment is not a test. There is no passing or failing. At the conclusion of your assessment you will
simply get a numerical score, which corresponds with a NTRP level and one of
the city’s clinics. You may, if you choose,
take the skills assessment again on a different day. If there is another free one, as today’s and
Sunday’s are, you may do so with no charge.
If there is not, you make take, and pay for, a 30 minute private lesson,
at which the pro will warm up all your strokes and then put you through the
skills assessment. Lastly, if you were
in a clinic last session, and you wish to remain in the same level clinic,
there is no reason to do the skills assessment at all.
We have learned
our lessons from the skills assessments last time, and have dedicated five
courts to different parts of the exam, which should make it go significantly
faster than last time.
It is our hope
that by continuing to implement the skills assessments, and by limiting players
to signing up for clinics that they qualify for skill wise, our overall product
will improve, and the participants within the clinics will have a more competitive
and fun atmosphere in which to learn.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Two Common Tennis Myths
Myth #1 - The player/team with the most winners has the best chance to win
The secret to winning tennis is not based on hitting the most winners in a match. Rather it is about reducing your own errors, and forcing your opponent into situations were they are more likely to make an error.
The Australian Open is underway beginning January 12th. Watch closely who has the best differential between winners and unforced errors. This is a better determinant as far as who will win the match. At the 2003 US Open, I witnessed David Nalbandian defeat Mark Phillipoussis in four sets, Nalbandian made 13 unforced errors in the entire match! He had around 20-25 winners. Meanwhile Phillipoussis had 40-50 winners and 75 unforced errors.
Watch a Nadal match closely. He dominates his opponents by forcing them into mistakes. His differentials are relatively mundane on the positive side, while his opponents have a severe negative differential.
Hitting lots of winners is great only if you are being consistent while going for them. If you find yourself missing a lot while going for your shots, perhaps this is not the best strategy. Play more conservatively, reduce pace, add height, and hit more balls cross court or down the middle. Try to work your opponent side to side or play their weaknesses in order to draw errors and reduce your own.
Myth #2 - A dominant serve - aces and service winners - is necessary to win more matches
Simple to debunk. Lets look at the top 10 players on the ATP tour that served the most aces in 2013
Now the top 10 players won the highest percentage of 1st serve points:
Now the big question - How many majors were won by this group? Answer - Zero.
The Average ranking of the top 10 Ace leaders is 20.8, the average ranking of the Top 10 players with the highest percentage of 1st points won is 17.4. What we can read into these numbers is how you back up your serve is more important to your ranking than the serve itself.
This is further backed up by the next stat. Second serve points won
The average ATP ranking of these players is 13.6! So clearly on the serve, your 2nd serve is more important, and your ability to back it up by trading jabs with your opponent is more important than your ability to hit aces and service winners with your first serve.
Now lets look at the Top 10 return games won.
Top 10 Return Games Won
The average ATP ranking of these players is an astounding 14.6!! Al four majors were won by this group.
So you can see that your ability to return serve, and trade jabs with your opponent effectively is far more crucial than your ability to serve your opponent off the court. Note the top 4 players on this list are ranked in EXACT ORDER as they are in the current ATP rankings. Stunning.
So work on your SECOND SERVE and serve return, as well as your ability to back each of those up, and your level will increase.
The secret to winning tennis is not based on hitting the most winners in a match. Rather it is about reducing your own errors, and forcing your opponent into situations were they are more likely to make an error.
The Australian Open is underway beginning January 12th. Watch closely who has the best differential between winners and unforced errors. This is a better determinant as far as who will win the match. At the 2003 US Open, I witnessed David Nalbandian defeat Mark Phillipoussis in four sets, Nalbandian made 13 unforced errors in the entire match! He had around 20-25 winners. Meanwhile Phillipoussis had 40-50 winners and 75 unforced errors.
Watch a Nadal match closely. He dominates his opponents by forcing them into mistakes. His differentials are relatively mundane on the positive side, while his opponents have a severe negative differential.
Hitting lots of winners is great only if you are being consistent while going for them. If you find yourself missing a lot while going for your shots, perhaps this is not the best strategy. Play more conservatively, reduce pace, add height, and hit more balls cross court or down the middle. Try to work your opponent side to side or play their weaknesses in order to draw errors and reduce your own.
Myth #2 - A dominant serve - aces and service winners - is necessary to win more matches
Simple to debunk. Lets look at the top 10 players on the ATP tour that served the most aces in 2013
1. John Isner 979
2. Milos
Raonic 883
3. Kevin
Anderson 651
4. Nicolas
Almagro 622
5. Tomas
Berdych 603
6. Sam
Querrey 576
7. Feliciano
Lopez 546
8 Benoit
Paire 537
9. Ivan
Dodig 520
10.Stanislas
Wawrinka 488 Now the top 10 players won the highest percentage of 1st serve points:
1. Milos
Raonic 82%
2. Sam
Querrey 79%
3. John
Isner 78%
4. Nicolas
Almagro 78%
5. Tomas
Berdych 78%
6. Roger
Federer 76%
7. Ernests
Gulbis 76%
8. Grigor
Dimitrov 76%
9. Jo-Wilfried
Tsonga 76%
10. Kevin
Anderson 76%Now the big question - How many majors were won by this group? Answer - Zero.
The Average ranking of the top 10 Ace leaders is 20.8, the average ranking of the Top 10 players with the highest percentage of 1st points won is 17.4. What we can read into these numbers is how you back up your serve is more important to your ranking than the serve itself.
This is further backed up by the next stat. Second serve points won
1. Novak
Djokovic 60%
2. Rafael
Nadal 57%
3. John
Isner 56%
4. Philipp
Kohlschreiber 56%
5. Roger
Federer 55%
6. Stanislas
Wawrinka 55%
7. Richard
Gasquet 54%
8. Tommy
Haas 54%
9. Juan
Martin Del Potro 54%
10. Daniel
Brands 54% The average ATP ranking of these players is 13.6! So clearly on the serve, your 2nd serve is more important, and your ability to back it up by trading jabs with your opponent is more important than your ability to hit aces and service winners with your first serve.
Now lets look at the Top 10 return games won.
Top 10 Return Games Won
1. Rafael
Nadal 34%
2. Novak
Djokovic 33%
3. David
Ferrer 33%
4. Andy
Murray 31%
5. Fabio
Fognini 31%
6. Kei
Nishikori 30%
7. Nikolay
Davydenko 28%
8. Gilles
Simon 27%
9. Tommy
Robredo 27%
10. Roger
Federer 26% The average ATP ranking of these players is an astounding 14.6!! Al four majors were won by this group.
So you can see that your ability to return serve, and trade jabs with your opponent effectively is far more crucial than your ability to serve your opponent off the court. Note the top 4 players on this list are ranked in EXACT ORDER as they are in the current ATP rankings. Stunning.
So work on your SECOND SERVE and serve return, as well as your ability to back each of those up, and your level will increase.
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