This is cool.

Are you looking for a guru tennis coach to save you?

In pedagogy, there is the idea of the sage on the stage vs. the guide on the side. It’s a similar concept in tennis teaching.

So many club & rec players think that a guru coach is all that’s missing to transform their game.

Ever hear this?

“You’ve reached your natural peak in tennis. Improvement isn't possible from here—it’s about talent.”

This mindset sucks. Here’s why the idea of a “natural ceiling” is flawed—and how you can actually break past it. (feat. Talent is Overrated)

Defend with underspin! ("Slice" is the wrong term)

We’ve all seen players like Steffi Graf, Roger Federer, or today, names like Dan Evans and Grigor Dimitrov, use their underspin to slow down the ball and float it deep into the court.

And here's the thing:

Try this 4-Step Routine Framework (Lauer & Chung, 2010):

1. Immediate Response: Calm body language—no negativity.
2. Relaxation: Deep breaths to reset & center yourself.
3. Preparation: Focus on process goals
4. Automatic Ritual: Bounce the ball, twirl the racket, use a cue word.

Routines are *essential* to performing your best on the tennis court.

They can help you:

- Reset after mistakes
- Refocus under pressure
- Play your best—one point at a time

(Lauer & Chung, 2010)

A *big* mistake tennis players make?

Focusing on technique when playing matches.

Here's what the sports psychology literature says:

Example: Stefan Edberg thought his second serve was a liability.

Data showed he was winning 80% of second-serve points.

The takeaway?

His feelings didn’t match reality.