I'm into Tennis. Any tips?

I just started playing tennis about 3-4x a week a couple weeks ago. I'm already pretty decent(I'm undefeated so far) with my closest match going 7-5, 6-0. I beat one of my friends who played in high school 6-1, we only played one set. That's called a set right? My strengths are my serving(when I actually get it in) I fault a good 60% of the time(not double, just the first one) Whats a typical rate on this? and the other strenght is the amount of ground I can cover as I'm way faster/quicker than the 2 guys I've been playing.

Oh, and I think I have a pretty decent backhand, since I was a switch hitter in baseball . Do most people use 2 hands to backhand or should I be able to do it one handed when I get better?

Weaknesses would be hitting it with power and actually keeping it in and doing some tricky shots, like a drop shot and getting my first serve in.

My friend's brother who I played just part of a set uses a drop shot all the time, if thats what its called. He hits a backhand with major spin. He has me down 4-2 and I had to get leave), we played 45 minutes and he had me running all over the court. He's pretty good and has been playing a couple years. We had an amazing game(is that what's it called) when it was 3-2, we went to deuce like 12x. That was tons of fun.

Tennis is fun, who knew? I just picked it up to try to lose weight as I'm at my peak at 174.5. I was 155 last summer. I played football/basketball(and Golf I guess, but weights not too important there is it? ha) in high school at 165 and was way more muscular then, so tennis is going to have to help me get this weight down


Yes, this is poorly written, but just getting thoughts down, so anyone who can help, it'd be much appreciated. Thanks

best game in the world.

i agree best game in the world and so much fun! Try to develop a really
fast serve. It's something you have to practice on your own. I'm about 6'5 and the best part of my game is my serve. I love just crushing the ball and watching an opponent just hopelessly look on. It's a great feeling. I guess you might compare it to a boxer knocking someone out or something like that. Also you should start out using two hands for your bh because in the beginning you will need more control . You can always go to one hand later if you want to try it out but generally most people stick with the two. Tennis is a great game but can turn into a costly one if u join racquet clubs and tennis centers. The ones here in New Jersey are ridiculously priced. A lot of the older rich people play here and i must say some are very good even at some older ages. So the great thing about this games is you can play till an almost unlimited age, have fun, and still get an awesome workout in!!

I love tennis. I got into it about 4 summers ago and got totally hooked. A great game and a great workout

Here are some tournaments in your area, enter the lowest level

<TABLE id=dgTournaments style="WIDTH: 590px; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">16th</TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="WIDTH: 200px" vAlign=top align=left>KENT KINNEAR USTA TENNIS OPEN - 855305306
Greenwood Parks & Rec
Challenger: BG(18-12)s,FMLC; BG(18-12)d,SE; XJ(18)d,SE; M(Op,35,45,55)s,SE; W(Op)s,SE; M(Op,45,55)d,SE; X(Op)d,SE; NMW(3.5-4.0)sd,SE
Surface Type: Hard
Last updated: Tue 6/13/2006 2:18 PM (Eastern Time) </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Greenwood, IN </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Today at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="WIDTH: 60px" vAlign=top align=left><TR height=6><TD style="WIDTH: 50px" vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">16th</TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="WIDTH: 200px" vAlign=top align=left>TLAC/COLUMBUS JUNIOR OPEN - 855351206
Tipton Lakes Athletic Club
Challenger: BG(18-12)sd
Surface Type: UNKNOWN
Last updated: Sun 6/11/2006 4:31 PM (Eastern Time) </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Columbus, IN </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Sunday, June 11 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="WIDTH: 60px" vAlign=top align=left><TR height=6><TD style="WIDTH: 50px" vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">16th</TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="WIDTH: 200px" vAlign=top align=left>TERRE HAUTE JUNIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS - 855351006
Terre Haute Junior Tennis Association
Challenger: BG(18-10)sd; XJ(18-12)d
Surface Type: UNKNOWN
Last updated: Tue 6/13/2006 12:15 PM (Eastern Time) </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Terre Haute, IN </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Today at 06:00 PM (Eastern Time) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="WIDTH: 60px" vAlign=top align=left><TR height=6><TD style="WIDTH: 50px" vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">16th</TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="WIDTH: 200px" vAlign=top align=left>KELSEY MARTIN MEMORIAL JR. OPEN - 855306106
Floyd Central Tennis Club
BG(18-10)s,FMLC; BG(18-12)d,SE
Surface Type: Hard
Last updated: Mon 6/12/2006 10:44 PM (Eastern Time) </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Floyds Knobs, IN </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Sunday, June 11 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="WIDTH: 60px" vAlign=top align=left><TR height=6><TD style="WIDTH: 50px" vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">17th</TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="WIDTH: 200px" vAlign=top align=left>MIDWEST JUNIOR WIGHTMAN CUP CHAMPIONSHIP - 855360106
Ball State University
Masters: G(18)sd,TC
Surface Type: UNKNOWN
Last updated: Tue 6/13/2006 3:15 PM (Indiana Time) </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Muncie, IN </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Thursday, June 15th 11:59 PM (Indiana Time) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="WIDTH: 60px" vAlign=top align=left><TR height=6><TD style="WIDTH: 50px" vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">21st</TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="WIDTH: 200px" vAlign=top align=left>PEARSON FORD OPEN - 855352706
Indianapolis Tns Cntr
M(Op)sd
Surface Type: UNKNOWN
Last updated: Thu 5/25/2006 7:25 PM (Eastern Time) </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Indianapolis, IN </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Sunday, June 18th 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="WIDTH: 60px" vAlign=top align=left><TR height=6><TD style="WIDTH: 50px" vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">23th</TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="WIDTH: 200px" vAlign=top align=left>WASHINGTON JUNIOR OPEN - 855351306
Washington High School
Challenger: BG(18-10)s; BG(18-12)d
Surface Type: UNKNOWN
</TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Washington, IN </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Sunday, June 18th 06:00 PM (Central Time) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="WIDTH: 60px" vAlign=top align=left><TR height=6><TD style="WIDTH: 50px" vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">23th</TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="WIDTH: 200px" vAlign=top align=left>MUNCIE YMCA 10 AND UNDER - 855302606
Northwest Ymca
Challenger: BG(10)s,FMLC
Surface Type: Hard Indoor
</TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Muncie, IN </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Tuesday, June 20th 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="WIDTH: 60px" vAlign=top align=left><TR height=6><TD style="WIDTH: 50px" vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">23th</TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="WIDTH: 200px" vAlign=top align=left>LAFAYETTE SPORTS CENTER HAWKINS OUTDOOR OPEN - 855308606
Lafayette Sports Center
Challenger 3: BG(18-10)s,FMLC; Challenger 3: BG(18-10)d,SE
Surface Type: Hard
Last updated: Tue 6/13/2006 10:25 AM (Indiana Time) </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Lafayette, IN </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Friday, June 16th 11:59 PM (Indiana Time) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="WIDTH: 60px" vAlign=top align=left><TR height=6><TD style="WIDTH: 50px" vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">23th</TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="WIDTH: 200px" vAlign=top align=left>CENTER GROVE OPEN - 855350706
Center Grove High School
Challenger: BG(18-10)sd; M(Op,45)sd; W(Op)sd; X(Op)d; NM(3.0,4.0,5.0)sd; NW(3.0,4.0)sd
Surface Type: UNKNOWN
</TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Greenwood, IN </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Tuesday, June 20th 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="WIDTH: 60px" vAlign=top align=left><TR height=6><TD style="WIDTH: 50px" vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">24th</TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="WIDTH: 200px" vAlign=top align=left>MIDWEST CLOSED JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP - 855360306
Washington Towns Schools
Masters: BG(18-16)s,FIC; BG(18-16)d,SE
Surface Type: Hard
Last updated: Wed 6/7/2006 1:28 PM (Indiana Time) </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Indianapolis, IN </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Saturday, June 17th 11:59 AM (Indiana Time) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="WIDTH: 60px" vAlign=top align=left><TR height=6><TD style="WIDTH: 50px" vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">24th</TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="WIDTH: 200px" vAlign=top align=left>INDIANA STATE DUANE KLUEH FAMILY OPEN - 855351406
Terre Haute Tennis Club
Challenger: M(Op,35,45-55,65-70)s,FMLC; W(Op,55)s,FMLC; Challenger: FS(0)d,FMLC; FD(0)d,FMLC; MS(0)d,FMLC; MD(0)d,FMLC; PC(0)d,FMLC; BB(0)d,FMLC; BS(0)d,FMLC; SS(0)d,FMLC; HW(Op)d,FMLC; Challenger: M(Op,35,45,55)d,SE; W(Op,35)d,SE; X(Op)d,SE
Surface Type: Hard
Last updated: Tue 6/13/2006 12:16 PM (Eastern Time) </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Terre Haute, IN </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Thursday, June 22nd 05:00 PM (Eastern Time) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="WIDTH: 60px" vAlign=top align=left><TR height=6><TD style="WIDTH: 50px" vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">26th</TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="WIDTH: 200px" vAlign=top align=left>CURT HENDRIX MEMORIAL TERRE HAUTE JR CLOSED - 855351506
Terre Haute Junior Tennis Association
Challenger: BG(18-10)s,FMLC; BG(18-10)d,SE; XJ(18-12)d,SE; M(50)s,FMLC; FD(0)d,FMLC; MD(0)d,FMLC
Surface Type: Hard
Last updated: Sat 5/6/2006 6:59 PM (Eastern Time) </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 100px" vAlign=top align=middle>Terre Haute, IN</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

sounds like you are a retreiver type player, so an oversize racket is good 110 sq in. I use and suggest Babolat pure drive baby blue color, same racket Roddick uses. Best way to improve fast is to find a wall to hit against, hit above an imaginary line which is the net.

for your standard of tennis a good kick serve with keep your opponent off balance

throw the ball slightly behind your head and use your wrist to generate the spin - you should be able to get in 90 % of these serves as they are less powerful and more spin.

generally if you keep the ball deep past the service line and move them side to side they will become vulnerable to the drop shot however anyone who plays alot of tennis will spot it a mile away so you need to only use for people not as good as you.

when you can step forward into the ball when your opponent only hits it around the service line drive the ball hard and follow it to the net

you will frustrate your opponent


if you are playing beginners and they come to the net you can just hit a lob over their head every time and stop them from advancing. when you have poor service tech your overhead sucks and thats the case for many people picking up the game late.

as for backhands having a slice backhand and a topspin backhand is what you need. one for percentages and one to drive your opponent back

one hand is better than two as it gives you more range but if you dont have the confidence go with 2 as you have to be able to be consistent with it

its a fun game.