What is the most important thing you need to play well?

[Mark S. Hogan]

I have to force myself to watch the ball. When I get lazy, the mis-hits pile up. Next would probably be taking the racket back as soon as possible.

[Mark55]

Footwork!! Especially when I'm nervous, if I dont get my feet moving I wont win as near as many points as I should.

[James Brown]

yep, footwork and balance. definetly the most important things. that and fitness hehe.

[finchy]

most important thing you need to play well:

a racquet!!!

hehe.

[Eli]

From the Charlie Rose show, interview with Roger Federer:

CR: Roger, when you make an unforced error, what is the reason for it?

RF: Usually it's some problem with my footwork that doesn't allow me to get my body behind the ball.

[TwistServe]

most important thing you need to play well:

a racquet!!!

hehe.

actually the racquet is not the most important thing.. u need to be on a tennis court!... that's the most important thing.. if you're not on court, then you're playing ping pong or badmitten.. and u cant be playing well!

[joe sch]

A racket and being on a court will not help unless its strung and you have an opponent and a ball to play with. Eyes and a brain can really help in playing good tennis but often mindless tennis is the best :wink:

[Mark S. Hogan]

The good footwork to put you in the best hitting postion would mean you were focused on the ball. Maybe that is the best thing to think about.

[Hedges]

The shots I see out there that seem to seperate players at the 4.0-5.0 levels:

1) consistent, short angle shot groundies
2) a deep spin serve that you can count on for 2nd serve
3) a nasty slice backhand that works under pressure and when tired
4) solid volleys - and williness to come to net

[thehustler]

I think the most important thing is having a good strong mentality. You can have the best footwork and the best strokes, but if you always fall apart at the first sign of pressure it won't matter how good you are, you'll just wind up losing. I've played a few people who have good strokes, good footwork or both but the second they get upset they can't bounce back and I take advantage of it. Sometimes that's all you need to do to an opponent - make them mad at themselves and the match is yours. Once they're mad they only think about themselves and forget if you have a weak net game or bad backhand and are just out of the match and you can toy with them. Cruel I know, but no rules against it as far as I know.

[Mark S. Hogan]

So how can we improve our mentals during a match where we are locking up?

[Peter K.]

Earlier this year in an interview, Agassi was asked "what do you tell yourself out there in a match during the crucial points?"
Andre's response was classic: "Watch the ball. Move your feet. It's the first thing you learn. It's the last thing you learn."

Amen to that.

[thehustler]

Mark S -

I laugh when things aren't going well or if my opponent makes a great shot. I don't get upset about it, I just laugh it off and move on to the next point. This keeps me from getting all upset and makes my opponent wonder what's going on in my head. Sometimes taking a extra bit of time during a changeover and just putting your head under a towel and relaxing can help. Take a deep breath or two and just visualize what you need to do. Think that all your bad shots were in the past and now it's time for you to hit good shots. Maybe slow things up a bit to get your confidence going to get you back in the match or set and then start to go for it when you feel better about your strokes. There's so many different scenarios that I can think of, each have their own fix. But laughing things off can really help. It frustrates your opponent and gives you an edge. HTH.

[Mark S. Hogan]

Both seem like great advise to me. Thanks.

[tnkGod4tns]

making my first serves and trying to return every serve making the other guy play and no free points for him.

[kevhen]

The shots I see out there that seem to seperate players at the 4.0-5.0 levels:

1) consistent, short angle shot groundies
2) a deep spin serve that you can count on for 2nd serve
3) a nasty slice backhand that works under pressure and when tired
4) solid volleys - and williness to come to net

I agree here. These are exactly the things plus maybe a few other things that I need to get to 4.5-5.0.

[Rickson]

Anticipation.

[tennisboy87]

I knew you were going to say that Rickson lol.

[Kaptain Karl]

Good preparation.

- KK

[Rickson]

i knew you were going to say that Rickson :D
and I anticipated a post like this in response to mine, although I didn't know who would post it.

[Bungalo Bill]

Preparation and my extra wide wrist bands. I guess that falls into preparation!

[Mark S. Hogan]

Preparation like shoulder turn and taking the racket back?