Tennis: How to play, how to win

By Ross Walker

TENNIS: HOW TO PLAY, HOW TO WIN is a comprehensive guide to playing one of the most technically complex sports there is. This step-by-step manual takes the reader through every shot and situation (singles and doubles) in tennis, complete with pictures and diagrams, and also includes tips on mental toughness,

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Mar 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798885906128

Ross Walker

Ross Walker has been a teaching professional for over forty years. He is a former 3-time All American, a winner of 4 National singles titles and has represented the United States in international competition. His students have won State and National singles championships and captured professional titles. In 2021 Ross was inducted into the USTA Southwest Tennis Hall of Fame.

Book preview

Chapter 1:

The Grips and the Ready Position

There are many different strokes and spins to learn in tennis, and each one has its own grip that helps optimize the stroke’s effectiveness. In this section, we will cover all the grips that are available, and all through the book certain grips will be recommended for certain shots.

The Eastern Forehand Grip

The Eastern forehand grip is probably the most commonly used grip of all and should be the first one every newcomer to the game learns. To get the Eastern forehand grip, simply hold the racket at the throat, with your nondominant hand, then with the racket pointed perfectly straight in front of you, place the bottom of the racket against your belly button. Now put your dominant hand on the racket strings, and then run it down to the end of the grip and then close your hand. This is the Eastern forehand grip (see pic #1).

(Pic # 1)

This is the grip I recommend hitting all your shots with until you become reasonably competent at the game, and then is the time to refine your shots somewhat by adding different grips to different shots for greater effectiveness. Now put your nondominant hand on the strings and move it down and close it. When it touches your dominant hand, you’re now holding the racket correctly for the ready position (see pic #2). A note, to keep things as simple as possible, since most tennis players are right handed, I have written this section of the book (and other sections too) where detail is needed for right handed players, unless where specified. Left handed players will simply adjust the instruction accordingly.

The Semi Western Grip

At the beginner / intermediate level, the Semi Western grip is almost as popular to use for the forehand as the Eastern forehand grip. Moving your right hand about a half inch to the right of the Eastern forehand grip gives you the Semi Western grip (see pic #3). Every time you change your grip, your racket face angle also changes; obviously, moving your grip slightly to the right of the Eastern forehand grip makes it easier to brush up on the ball and hit with more topspin. It also makes it easier to manage a ball that is contacted higher than waist level. This grip is very popular among high level players.

(Pic # 2)

(Pic # 3)

The Western Grip

The Western grip is more popular at the pro level than the recreational level because it enables the pros to hit their forehands with more topspin and power, and it also allows them to better manage their opponents’ high bouncing topspin shots. You get this grip by moving your right hand about a half inch further to the right of the Semi Western grip (see pic #4). This grip, however, is not recommended for those players at the beginner / intermediate level.

The Continental Grip

This grip is mainly used by players who have learned the basic fundamentals and is then only used for the one handed and two handed backhands (dominant hand), the serve, volleys, and overheads. To get the Continental grip, you move your right hand about a half inch to the left of the Eastern forehand grip (see pic #5). This grip allows greater comfort and power on the one handed backhand and the two handed backhand, as well as more wrist snap on the serve and the overhead which helps create added pace or spin to the ball. Also, on the volleys where time can be an issue when facing a hard hit ground stroke, using the Continental grip allows you the luxury of not having to change grips from the forehand to the backhand volley. It also allows for a little slice; that gives the volley added control.

(Pic # 4)

(Pic # 5)

The Eastern Backhand Grip

This grip is mostly used by high level players who hit with a one handed backhand. It enables them to hit with more topspin and they can also successfully manage their opponents’ higher bouncing shots. To get this grip, you move your right hand a half inch to the left of the Continental grip (see pic #6).

The Two Handed Backhand Grip

When first learning to hit the two handed backhand, switching grips from an Eastern forehand to a Continental grip with the dominant hand isn’t required, but it is certainly recommended as soon as you become relatively comfortable with the backhand. Once you have gained some confidence on the backhand side, the most popular two handed grip (and the most practical to learn) is the Continental grip for the dominant hand and the regular Eastern forehand grip for the nondominant hand (see pic #7).

(Pic # 6)

(Pic # 7)

A brief note on the grips: The more you play tennis, the more you will become comfortable with the different grips and you will adapt your choice of them to what feels most comfortable to you. Eventually, you will instinctively use a certain grip to add more spin or power to a particular shot, or to reach a low, short ball. Different grips give you different racket face angles, and therefore, different options. Some are better suited for slice, some are better suited for topspin, and the more proficient you become at the game, the better you will be able to utilize the different grips effectively.

The Ready Position

After learning how to hold the racket with the correct grip, you then learn the ready position, which is how you stand when waiting for the oncoming ball (see pic #8). The racket should be pointed straight ahead, a little below your face, and your feet should be shoulder width apart. Keep your knees slightly bent with your back in a comfortable crouched position and your weight on the balls of your feet. From this