The fundamentals of tennis are fairly easy to grasp and can have a person on the court and having fun in no time. May I turn to the novice at my opening and speak of certain matters which are second nature to the skilled player? The best tennis equipment not too good for the beginner who seeks to get a feel for the fundamentals of tennis and succeed. One of the starting fundamentals of tennis, besides technique, is one’s apparel. Always dress to impress in tennis clothes when engaging in tennis. Makes sense, right? The question of choosing a racquet to learn the fundamentals of tennis is a different matter. I do not advocate forcing a certain racquet upon any player who wishes to learn the fundamentals of tennis. All the standard makes are excellent. It is in weight, balance, and size of handle that the real value of a racquet frame depends, while good stringing is, essential to obtain the best results.
After you have acquired your racquet, to better leand the fundamentals of tennis make a firm resolve to use good tennis balls, as a regular bounce is a great aid to advancement, while a “dead” ball is no practice at all. If you really desire to succeed at the game and advance rapidly, I strongly urge you to see all the good tennis you can. Study the play of the leading players and strive to copy their strokes. Read all the fundamentals of tennis instruction books you can find. They are a great assistance. More tennis can be learned off the court, in the study of theory, and in watching the best players in action, than can ever be learned in actual play. I do not mean miss opportunities to play. Far from it. Play whenever possible, but strive when playing to put in practice the theories you have read or the strokes you have watched.
Never be discouraged at slow progress when learning the fundamentals. You will be up to speed in no time. Perhaps a grand slam tour is in your future. The trick over some stroke you have worked over for weeks unsuccessfully will suddenly come to you when least expected. Tennis players are the product of hard work. Very few are born geniuses at the game. When learning the fundamentals of tennis, keep this in mind – tennis is a sport that pays you dividends all your life, not only on the court. A tennis racquet is a letter of introduction in any town. The brotherhood and sisterhood of the game is universal, for none but a good sportsman can succeed in the game for any lengthy period. The next time you are watching a tennis tournament on TV, your friends will envy you as speak with knowledge and authority. But let’s keep a cool head at all times and never pull a McEnroe, shall we? The fundamentals of tennis provide relaxation, excitement, exercise, and firms one’s thighs, buttocks, chest and abs, and provides pure enjoyment to the enthusiast who is tied hard and fast to their business until late afternoon. Age is not a drawback.
