Jak Beardsworth Tennis

OCTOBER 2009:

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

The number of frequent tennis players enjoying our athletic game across the nation, and worldwide as well – multiple millions, is impressive to say the least. Yet, despite their good intentions and regular commitment to the game, whether recreational or competitive, their typical lack of practice time is so frustrating since, in this instance, they are short changing themselves and their level of play.

Roger Federer, in the throes of a sub-par performance – for him – in the first 4 months of the 2009 campaign, explained that, besides any lingering effects of mononucleosis, his biggest set-back was a “lack of practice time.” Are you with me so far? Arguably the most gifted tennis player of all time is regretting, and understanding, that not being able to practice as much as he was normally accustomed to took its toll.

Over the years many of the playing and coaching tennis legends, willing to share their considerable insights over a span of a couple of generations – some things do not change, have weighed-in on this subject.

Here’s my Top 10 Sampling for you to consider for your game:

1. “Progress and improvement do not come in big bunches, they come in little pieces.” - Arthur Ashe
2. “Practice may not make things perfect, but it sure makes things better.”
- Brad Gilbert
3. “Try to find a mix of stronger and weaker practice partners. Against weaker
players, you can work on your weaknesses. Against the stronger players,
you’ll have to use your strengths.” - Fred Stolle
4. “An hour of hard practice is better than going through the motions.”
- Pete Sampras
5. “ Spend more time preparing and less time regretting.” - Virginia Wade
6. “When I struggled with myself and had to build myself up, I did it on the
practice court.” - Margaret Smith Court
7. “Champions [at any level] keep playing until they get it right.” - Billie Jean King
8. “There’s no excuse for a poor serve – serving well is simply a matter of practice.”
- Pancho Gonzales
9. “If the pain of losing to people is greater than the pain of making changes, then
by all means, make the changes.” - Vic Braden
10. “Everyone needs a coach…who can see what you’re doing when you cannot.”
- Pete Sampras

Playing set after set, day after day, is not the way to achieve your personal best.
One of the definitions of practice is “to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient.”

And, yes, practice with the right person can be fun too!

Questions and comments are welcome at anytime for all tips present and past via email.

Tips Archive

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March, April, 2013 SELF-TALK: Good, Bad, or Indifferent [read more]
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April, 2012 PLAYER DISCONNECTION [read more]
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February, 2012 UNDERSTANDING TERMINOLOGY: Drill vs Clinic vs Team Practice [read more]
January, 2012 PLAYING SCARED? [read more]
December, 2011 CUTTING OFF THE ANGLE…VERTICALLY [read more]
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August/September, 2011 NEVER TOO LATE FOR OLDER DOGS [read more]
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March, 2011 CLUB DOUBLES' INCREASINGLY MISSING LINK [read more]
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January, 2011 ICING THE SERVER WHEN RECEIVING IN THE BIG MOMENTS [read more]
December, 2010 JOHN ISNER’S “GOOD MISS” [read more]
November, 2010 THE MOST NEGLECTED SHOT IN THE GAME [read more]
October, 2010 BALL BOUNCING and the SERVE [read more]
September, 2010 TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE BALL [read more]
July-August, 2010 SUMMER SCHOOL COURTSIDE CRIB SHEET [read more]
May-June, 2010 THE 2-HANDED JUMP BACKHAND: The Dumbest Shot in Tennis [read more]
April, 2010 THE STANDING AROUND SYNDROME [read more]
March, 2010 THE ELUSIVE SERVICE TOSS [read more]
February, 2010 PREPARING TO START THE POINT: Serving and Receiving [read more]
January, 2010 DEBUNKING THE MODERN GAME [read more]
December, 2009 RELAX – IT'S JUST A RALLY BALL [read more]
November, 2009 DEFEATING THE POACHER [read more]
October, 2009 PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE [read more]
September, 2009 SERVING SUCCESS: Warming-Up vs Match Play [read more]
August, 2009 THE SPLIT STEP: Defending the Court, Rushing the Net, and More [read more]
July, 2009 THE THIRD GROUNDSTROKE [read more]
June, 2009 HOW MANY HANDS DOES IT TAKE? [read more]
May, 2009 THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILL [read more]
April, 2009 PLAYING IN THE FLORIDA WIND [read more]
March, 2009 Letting them Play for Peak Performance in Clubland [read more]
February, 2009 SUPPORTING YOUR GAME [read more]
January, 2009 RESPECTING THE GAME: Top 10 Do's & Don'ts [read more]
December, 2008 Getting the Warm-up Right [read more]
November, 2008 Visualize...Realize: The Mind Body Connection [read more]
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