BECOME A WIZARD WITH YOUR RACQUET

Once you learn how to hold the racquet and can hit the ball over the net with regularity, you're ready to expand the shots in your repertoire. Here's to more rallies ending in your favour.

643

The longest rally in a competitive match saw the ball pass over the net 643 times. The players were Jean Hepner and Vicky Nelson during a match at Richmond, Virginia in October 1984.

263

Australia's Sam Groth holds the record for the fastest recorded serve in the world at 263 km/h.

8342

Canadian Milos Raonic, who boasts one of the best serves of all-time, has hit 8342 aces in his career.

Fräulein Forehand

Steffi Graf's forehand is widely considered to be one of the greatest shots that tennis has every seen. So much so that it earned her the moniker Fräulein Forehand.

HIT YOUR SPOTS

The serve is the most important shot in tennis because it's the one stroke that a player has full control over. Given all the moving parts in a service motion, it's also the hardest shot to master.

To start off any game, one player serves from the deuce (right) side of the court behind the baseline with the hopes to hit the ball crosscourt into the service box on the other side of the net.
This same player (the server) then serves the entire game (not match) alternating from the deuce side to the advantage side of the court point to point.
After each player has served an entire game from their respective sides, it’s time to switch ends of the court.
Hit the net with your first try? Good news. You get two chances. If your first serve hits the net, bounces out of bounds, or lands in bounds but on your side of the court, this is called a fault and you get another try. If you do the same thing on your second attempt, this is called a double fault and your opponent is awarded a point.
If your ball happens to graze the top of the net, but still lands in-bounds crosscourt this is called a “let”. This is not considered a fault, nor a valid serve so you get to it hit over again without any consequences.

Properly placing a serve is just as important as how fast it goes through the court. There are three spots you can hit in the box: out wide, down the middle (down the 'T'), and into the body. Mixing up the placement will keep your opponent off guard and help give you an advantage at the start of a point.

The flat serve, the slice serve, and the kick serve. Those are your three options when you step to the line.

The flat serve gets its name because the ball has very little spin once contact is made. It's synonymous with power and precision and it's also your best chance to hit an ace.

The slice serve’s name comes from the brushing action, or slice, applied to the tennis ball to produce sidespin so that it moves away from your opponent once it hits the court.

The kick serve gets its name from how the ball jumps or kicks up off the ground as a result of heavy topspin applied to the ball. It provides consistency and can be used to attack a returner’s weaknesses with precision.

IMPROVING YOUR STROKES

Once the rally starts after the serve, you'll need to perfect these shots to get the better of your opponent and present a well-rounded game each time you step on the court.

A backhand is when you hit the ball on your non-dominant side.

Pivot your feet and turn your hips and shoulders towards your non-dominant side, pull your racquet back with one or two hands on the racquet and swing forward from low to high following through over your opposite shoulder.

SEE IT IN ACTION

A volley is a short and quick shot before the ball bounces on the ground. It is most often hit from the net but can be hit from anywhere on the court.

Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, stand about three feet from the net and hit the ball prior to it hitting the ground.

SEE IT IN ACTION

HIT LIKE A PRO

Once you grasp the basics, keep these tips and tricks handy to improve your shot technique and boost your confidence all at once.

FOREHAND TRICK

The ball goes wherever the racquet face is ‘looking’ so make sure it faces the target for the length of the stroke.

SEE IT IN ACTION

BACKHAND TIP

Avoid snapping your wrists with your strokes and instead drive through the ball with your body weight.

VOLLEY TRICK

Stay on your toes and make small rapid steps! Playing the net requires a lot of agility and quick reflexes. Also, avoid swinging your racquet. A volley does not require a full follow-through. It’s more like a punch or even a light tap.

SHOW OFF YOUR SKILLS

When it's time to put the hitting techniques you've been practicing into action, Tennis Canada can help you find a place to play and a partner to share the court with.