Few important instructions

Rolling the racket when trying to hit fast along with trying to keep the ball in

Bending the knees when trying to hit aggressive forehand and backhand shots. This also includes trying to change the center of gravity.

Completing the follow through when hitting cross court

Tracing the line when trying to hit down the line. Also required when hitting cross court

20150121: New racket breaking in

I acquired a new racket - Babalot Aeropro Drive. Now this racket is drastically different from my old racket - Wilson ncode n4. It is heavier albeit much better balanced, has a regular head compared to n4's oversize head and comes with polyster strings instead of the synthetic ones that I'm so used to playing with. Because of that it is taking me time to get used to this racket.

The returns with this racket are much much better. I have problem with both forehand and backhand since the sweet spot is much smaller, my serve isn't working that well since the ball sticks to racket strings for a much longer duration and finally half-baked lobs don't work that well because of surface area.

However I'm taking it as a challenge to play better with this racket. I will play atleast 10 hours with this racket every week and hopefully I'll be able to replicate the success of n4 with thsi racket as well. Amen!

20141226: Singles Play

So I played and lost a set with Suri today and wanted to share the learning from today's defeat

1. My first serve consistency keeps dropping as the games become longer
2. Similarly my first serve percentage decreases profoundly after the second service game. Maybe this is a hint about improving fitness or maybe it's the technique fallout issue when I start to get tired
3. On a positive front, I can decrease the speed of my first serve and use that as my second serve as well
4. I don't attack the ball that often. I'm usually content playing lobs and peddling the ball back. I need to be more assertive with my play and start chasing the baselines.
5. Also need to improve my net play. I need to pick up the balls where I can rush to the net. Also I need to stop just inside the serve line when I'm rushing across
6. I'm struggling with first serve from the backhand side.
7. Missing punch even when I'm taking the racket back on the backhand.

I'll think more about these things and how to improve in these areas before I go for weekend play. Also I'll start early over the weekend - Will reach the court around 6:30 and play till at least 9:30. Will also take the new racket for a spin when I'm concentrating on baseline play.


The coach mentioned something very interesting today. He said that you play the ball and not any specific player. This is a wonderful advice since it cuts through both complacency - when playing lower seeded players and nervousness - when playing higher seeded players. I'll surely take each ball on merit.

Another thing I need to work at is to be chase each and every ball. From now onwards I just refuse to give easy points - either at my serve or the opponent's serve. This is the fundamental mentality I'm going with on each point, on each game, on each set. Basically my tennis belief for life - NO EASY POINTS.

20141220: Sore Loser

I realize that I'm such a sore loser. I don't react kindly to losing in sports. For example I got really all pissed up losing to Tilla today and was throwing all kind of angry tantrums. I was shouting, mouthing obscenities, berating myself and reacting angrily to my strategies not working. I really need to control my anger well. I owe it to myself.
Here's how I'm gonna do that
1. The moment you thing that you're losing control, step back and take a few deep breaths
2. Focus more intently on the game and not the person
3. Be grateful that you're able to play tennis this regularly.

20141215: Practice Perfect

Another great day of tennis. I hoarded the winner side of the court in singles and lost just one game along with Srinath when we were playing doubles. I did lose my serve in the extended session but I was able to break back and hold my second serve game at 40-0. I think the serve drills that I do before going to the tennis court are helping a lot. I just need to work a bit more on the forehand and backhand from the baseline.

An interesting observation today was the wind. The wind was directly on our back. This meant that my first serve wasn't as effective as it usually is. Also our opponents were easily fetching all the lobs. I found a way out by playing longer points and following up the lob with a fast forehand passing shot or a volley at the body. It helped and the match was still on serve when I had to bail out.

20141210: Comeback day

Was an awesome day of tennis today. I and Hyder were playing in the after coaching session and were staying at a certain defeat at 0-5. From that point applied ourselves better and won the match in the tie breaker. Just unbelievable stuff

I started with my new racket today. It is just so well balanced. I'm able to generate more topspin and the balls stay in. I was able to serve a few aces and  body serves as well. I just need a damper and I can totally go to war with this racket.

Didn't practice before going to the court today and it showed. Will make it a point to be regular with that.

20141210: External Factors

A difficult day of tennis today. I was impacted a lot due to external factors like weather and chill in the air and couldn't either serve or play ground strokes properly. I will dress accordingly tomorrow and hopefully I'll be able to regain form.

In other news I'm going out to buy a used racket today. The specs look great. I'll update you if I happen to like and buy the racket.