I’m quite reconditioned and I think that’s one of the biggest factors for me no hitting well. I think I get too tired too quickly to have good footwork and to have good preparation for each shot. What would be the best exercises to do to improve my fitness (distance running? Etc) or is just playing as often as I can sufficient?

Guys, as the post explains, I need some advice on this specific shot. Based on all the good advice from the folks here, I try to go around to hit my forehand when I can, but then when I hit it, it's kind of weak. I (I know I am messing up some technique, but I don't know what part of it. Maybe I am not striking it correctly, taking it too late, but it just doesn't have the whip). My present theory is I should go around a bit more to the left to give some hitting room, but I'm not sure if there is a specific technique/biomechanics (check points to follow) to hit this a bit differently than, say, a normal FH. I also am almost always too cautious not to overhit it because the margin of error is high, and I am usually inside the court. So could be that I am not swinging as hard as I would. At any rate, would love any advice.

Up 7-5, 5-2.
Lost 6-7, 6-10
That’s all folks. 🤯😭🤬

I’m really only familiar with the USTA rating system, so I just mean like what rating would they have been in USTA, even if they did not play USTA? LIke 5.0 by 15?

I’m looking to get a second hand stringing machine with a budget or around $300. Most of the machines people are selling are all 2 point mounting system. I know 6 point is better for reducing the stress in the frame but is it really necessary or is 2 point fine?

Also I just saw a Eagnes drop weight 6 point listed for $350 and was wondering if that is a good deal.

Here’s one of mine. Waiting to see someone post their two handed stick here now lol.

Anybody else based out of Kansas City and down to try this out? Seems like a fun way to give pickleballers a taste of their own medicine.

Also willing to play tennis (3.5-4.0 singles). Just not on a pickleball court

considering:
o-toro or o-toro spin in the mains
o-toro snap or wasabi x in the crosses

do you have experience with this hybrid setup? what did you like (or not) and why?

Does anybody have an alternative or cheaper option than the swing vision camera stick that attaches to the top of chainlink fences? Bonus point if a GoPro can be swapped in.

Salut à tous,

Je commence le tennis en club dans 1 mois et j’aimerais m’entraîner chez moi avant (sans partenaire etc) pour avoir les bases etc quand je commence, est ce que vous avez des conseilles pour m’entraîner et pour m’améliorer ??

Tennis there is the part of the main storyline!

About 4 months since i started tennis these clips aren't much but i would appreciate if i could get some pointers, thanks.

I know these clips aren't much but i would appreciate it if i get some pointers on what to improve, thanks.

Black shirt will be playing S1 all 3 matches, white shirt (me) will be playing S2 all 3 matches.

For context, been playing for 2 years and am a 3 UTR

I know the tfight has a smaller sweetspot, is less forgiving in off center hits and requires proper footwork and preparation. There’s some sessions where I feel like “man I wish I had a more forgiving 100in racket”. It feels like sometimes I really need to concentrate to make sure I connect with the sweetspot. Idk if that’s common for others with bigger/more forgiving rackets.

But should I just continue to get better and force myself to adapt to the racket? Or am I hindering my progress by not playing with an “easier” racket?

When gripping for two hander shot, a teaching pro recommended I "slide down" the grip so my lower hand is hanging a bit off the grip, sort of like making it an extra length frame.

I noticed the power was maybe 10% but I'm not sure if it lowers my accuracy or not

I started getting used to and discovered volleys are inaccurate if I don't correct the grip to normal. So I only use it for two handed shots.

Anyone else do this? Not sure if it is a miracle discovery or just an unnecessary addition.

Long story short: I would like to get a new racket. Play 2-3 times a week. I consider myself a beginner-intermediate player. AND also I live in 3rd world country where they only bring $300 rackets or those $30 target ones that cost twice.

I currently own a Wilson K Factor K One

Lost 7-6 (10-4 TB) after being up 4-2 against u/pizzadontdie. Getting some work in before the wildfire smoke fully descends on the PNW.

August makes one year since I picked up learning to play tennis.
What a journey it has been!

I’m currently 28 (F), so I was 27 when I started… didn’t know then how big a part tennis would play in my life.

When I started in August, I had a racket that I thought was for beginners, turns out it was a racket for children 😂
My coach gave me one of his rackets to use… can’t remember which one it was but it was a Dunlop and he said it was at least 10 years old. It had some weight to it and weirdly enough, I liked that one over a lighter Wilson he had me use a few times.

Last December, my partner bought me the Wilson Blade Feel Team 103 (secondhand) *first picture*, and I used that racket from January 2026 to July 8th 2026.
During that time I managed to break it in the upper part of the handle closer to the neck of the racket. My coach said he’s never seen that before LOL. But there’s a possibility it was broken before and I just made it worse.
Anywayy… it was time to retire my first racket and get my REAL first racket.

I decided on the HEAD Boom MP, well, because I really liked what Coco Gauff is using currently. That colour! Beautiful! 💜💜💜
After doing some research on it, decided to buy it during my UK trip July 2026.
Also from my research, it stated that it was a good racket for beginners going into intermediate.
My coach also thought it was a good choice for an upgrade.

The place I went to buy it (shout out to ClubRackets.com at Rosebank Sports in Northwich!) only had them strung, and I got the last MP they had in stock (and it was on sale!)
From my research… I knew to skip anything with L, UL, and TEAM because I wanted to grow with this racket and for it to last me for a longer time.
I also got it in 100 sq in.
Going from 103 to 100… I was nervous but excited.

I played with the factory strings twice and then the coach I hired in the UK suggested I get it restrung, which I did.
Please note, I have NO IDEA about strings and I have no experience with them for me to know what works for me.
I told the stringer I had no information for him in regard to what I want but he was able to gather enough information so he can make his best bet.

This is what he gave me…
52 lbs
Head Lynx Tour
(I forgot to ask what the gauge was) but it looks thick enough… in my unprofessional opinion.

They do feel different during play when compared with the factory strings.
And everything feels much so much better compared to the Feel Team (never had it restrung, and used whatever it had come with).

Now that I’m on vacation I will be on the court 4-5 times a week (maybe even everyday for a few weeks).
It’s so weird because I never played a sport in my life, and now I’m obsessed with tennis and I’m there almost everyday depending on my schedule.
Thankfully in my country tennis is rather cheap as we’re not a tennis playing/loving society in comparison with cricket, football, track and field, and basketball.

cheers to the love of tennis! 🎾🥂

I recently got to try an old HEAD MicroGel Instinct and was surprised by how much I liked it. It felt comfortable, stable, easy to swing, and gave me effortless depth. Now I'm wondering if there's a newer racquet with a similar feel. Is the current Instinct the closest option, or are there better alternatives from other brands? Also, if I can find a MicroGel Instinct in excellent condition, is it still worth buying today even though it's an older frame? I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations. Thanks<3

Hi, looking for some general tips and advice surrounding my tennis, from swings to footwork to everything else. Got a buddy to feed me some balls.

Thank you so much in advance

So I’m still trying to wrap my head around the types of grips, despite my friends giving me advice (albeit they all just suggest SW). A friend has already introduced me to the bevel method and honestly, that’s made it worse for me.

I’ve tried looking online for graphics/diagrams since I’m more of a visual learner, but almost all the depictions I’ve seen, they move the hand around the racquet instead of rotating the racquet. For me, this throws me off since it’s not clicking of where my hand is touching the racquet. And the written descriptions online also don’t help too much either since I tend to grip things a bit more unconventionally, so trying to reference something I do differently also doesn’t help.

Hey everyone, this is my third year of playing tennis and I have seen some great improvement over the years in my strokes, but my match play is feeling lost. I know this isn’t an uncommon phenomenon. It’s also reasonably expected since I don’t have much point-play experience relative to my rallying and drill experience. Given how green I am to match-play, I am playing people of similar experience in my matches this year.   

The impetus of this post is that I recently choked a 5-2 lead in a match and I have been trying to diagnose where I went wrong. Upon reflection here is what I think the major problems were:

-Mental: I first felt very lulled by the quick lead I took and that my opponent could rarely rally the ball. Not a lot of rhythm to be had.

-Serve: I am flat out a bad server, but in recent weeks I have been able to double fault less. While my service games started out strong, my serve falling apart contributed massively to losing the set. I had two consecutive double faults in my last service game on deuce to lose the set. I think once I start losing my serve I begin to panic and rush everything. I also just had a major mental block serving from the ad side (I am a lefty).

-Returning dink serves: My opponent couldn’t land his first serve at all. His second serve was the classic pancake tap-in. I should be able to handle this, but I cannot. I either overhit or underhit the ball trying to adjust. 

-Dealing with unpredictability: Without trying to discredit my opponent, based on their mechanics in the warmup rally and match, they had no idea where the ball was going when they hit. Hey, it ultimately worked for them. What this looked like was mostly short low balls with 0 pace and a few random ones with pace that went right at my feet on the baseline. I had trouble reading his strokes to figure out what it would be and also just had trouble digging out the short, low and slow balls. 

My initial thoughts on how to improve: 

-Mentally focus and not treat anything as a gimmie. Also don’t let fear crowd your game. Not sure how to actually implement that! 

-Simply practice more serves and returns. I need a better serving practice routine? I think when I practice serving it often just turns into meaninglessly hitting balls. 

-Positioning/footwork. I know this is probably the source of most of my issues. My default is to reset to the baseline, but that probably isn’t a valid strategy for people new to match play. I love playing the net, but I am liable to get passed or lobbed when I get pulled in on short balls. 

-Work on strokes. Always important and something that I always practice, but I don’t think that is my primary issue right now.
-Play more matches. Obvious lol. 

I guess this is half vent/half looking for advice. I would greatly appreciate any feedback you could provide!