I have been playing tennis as long as I can remember. This is because both my parents and my brother play tennis. My dad actually proposed to my mom on a tennis court. So it was basically my destiny.
Up until about 7th grade, I really didn't like tennis, because I felt forced to play it. But I played for the Tates Creek High School team that year and I guess I just loved being part of a team and suddenly I wanted to play every day.
Ok but enough backstory. Here's how to play:
1. Find a racket. I prefer the Babolot pure drive.
2. Find some balls. I prefer Wilson Practice.
3. Find a court. I prefer Lexington Tennis Club.
4. Find a friend! I have no preferences here:)
5. To warm up your game, start on the service line and hit to the other person on the service line (the line in the middle of the court). Make sure your swing goes from low to high, and when they hit the ball to your right, hit a forehand (hold the racket with your right hand, as if you're shaking the hand of the racket). When they hit it to your left, put your left hand above your right and hit a backhand. Continue hitting short until you feel warm.
6. Go to the baseline (the last line on the court) and hit to the other person on the baseline. Don't change your swing to hit harder, just put more force behind it. Swinging your racket faster will get you more pace. Swinging up the back of the ball will get you topspin. Hitting around one side of the ball will get you slice. Choose your shot wisely: I prefer topspin: it's more likely to go in and you can hit it pretty hard.
7. Serving. Even I struggle with serving. Stand at the baseline. You're supposed to hit the ball into the service box (from the service line to the net) diagonal to you. Toss the ball in front of you, making it as high as your arm holding your racket can reach. Bring your racket back behind your head and accelerate up, brushing up the back of the ball to make it kick up when it lands.
7. Ok, so now you've got the hang of hitting and serving! The only thing left is strategy, but maybe we'll save that for another blog.
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