How to Play Winning Tennis with Groundstrokes

Since the beginning of the 1980s, there has been an onslaught of bigger, more powerful tennis rackets. In the time since then, players have lost sight of how to actually win tennis points from the baseline because they were impressed with how hard they could hit the ball. Players at all levels lost sight of using true strategy, proper form and footwork. Knowing how to use an aggressive style from the baseline in tennis will help your singles and doubles games, your net game and your return of serve.

Things You'll Need

  • Jump rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Jump rope four times a week and increase the number you strive to achieve over time. Start easy with about 100 jumps and try to work your way up to 1,000 in a workout. Jumping rope will help your footwork, which is imperative to hitting the best groundstrokes.

    • 2

      Make a habit of standing at the baseline on the court in your practice sessions and hitting the ball on the rise if needed. This approach will place you in a position to be more aggressive from the baseline.

    • 3

      Hit the ball on the rise by bending low at the knees and swinging through the ball. Your body weight should be moving forward at the time you hit the ball. The confidence and ability to hit the ball on the rise will keep you firmly planted at the baseline and in much better position for the next shot.

    • 4

      Stay leaning forward on the balls of your feet at all times. This is why overall footwork is critical for great, aggressive ground strokes.

    • 5

      Move toward the ball aggressively when returned by your opponent. Attempt to hit the ball at the peak of its bounce, instead of waiting for the ball to come to you. This will keep your feet active. Playing on your heels and waiting to hit a tennis ball on its downward trajectory takes away from any power you may have; it also provides your opponent time to move to the net.

    • 6

      Coordinate with the flight of the approaching shot by moving your feet to be in the right position for the particular stroke and taking your racket back into position in one fluid motion as you move to hit the ball.

    • 7

      Apply the aggressive approach to your return of serve as well by moving closer and catching the ball early. This is particularly helpful when it comes to playing doubles.