With Wimbledon fever underway, those inspired to dig out their dusty tennis rackets can now rediscover the racket-wielding sport, as we share our top tennis tips direct from the pros, helping you to unleash your inner-champ. Practice your new-found skills and gain the advantage on a specialist tennis holiday, whether training in Thailand at a dedicated sports retreat frequented by sporting stars, or acing your game whilst soaking up the Mediterranean sun. After working up a sweat, ward off tennis elbow through rejuvenating spa treatments, leaving your body ready to hit the courts again tomorrow. Game, set, match.
With Wimbledon fever underway, those inspired to dig out their dusty tennis rackets can now rediscover the racket-wielding sport, as we share our top tennis tips direct from the pros, helping you to unleash your inner-champ. Practice your new-found skills and gain the advantage on a specialist tennis holiday, whether training in Thailand at a dedicated sports retreat frequented by sporting stars, or acing your game whilst soaking up the Mediterranean sun. After working up a sweat, ward off tennis elbow through rejuvenating spa treatments, leaving your body ready to hit the courts again tomorrow. Game, set, match.
Top Tennis Tips from the Pros
Learn a backhanded backspin
“The backhanded backspin is an indispensable move found in the repertoire of all good tennis players. This shot allows you to defend yourself against powerful punches, attack at the right moment and change the inertia of the game to keep your opponent off balance. For this, you have to be able to hit the ball well, and generate a good swing that does not make it lob too much, nor lose the force necessary to keep your opponent from counter-attacking during the game.” Ramon Campuzano Rojas, Director of Puente Romano Tennis & Fitness Club, Marbella
Fancy footwork
Footwork is a key aspect to success in tennis and how you move on the court is arguably the most important part of the game; a lack of proper footwork makes it nearly impossible to advance to a higher level in the sport. Even if you are lacking in speed, you can still be quick and effective on the court given the correct footwork, not only reaching tough balls, but also getting in an optimal position to hit the best possible shot. Follow these tips to polish up your footwork on the court:
1. Ready Position Before you start approaching the ball, players should always begin in the “ready position” with knees and hips bent, legs shoulder width apart and weight equally distributed on both toes. This position allows you to move easily in any direction and should be used when anticipating the opponent’s next shot.
2. Split Step Once your opponent contacts the ball you should perform a “split step” which consists of a small hop from the ready position towards the direction of the ball. This step will prepare you for your shot and allow for a quicker and more explosive movement to the ball.
3. Effective Movement Quick, light, short steps are key to reaching the ball early, since these precise movements are what allow you to get in an ideal position for a good shot. Always stay on your toes and avoid taking long, heavy strides to reach the ball.
Timo Sivapruksa, Head Tennis Coach at Thanyapura Phuket, Thailand
How to instantly raise your game
“It’s important to understand the best area to contact the ball. If the ball is too far away, you lose control and balance; if it's too close, you can't swing correctly. Getting the correct place to contact the ball will enable you to hit through the ball better. Also choosing a suitable racket can make a huge difference; the main thing is to get a decent set of strings with good tension.”
Located just a ball toss away from the luxurious Mediterranean hideaway that is Marbella Club, follow in the footsteps of tennis greats like Serena Williams and Boris Becker at Puente Romano Tennis Club. With ten well-equipped courts and a talented team of professional coaches waiting to ‘serve’ you, there really is no better place to perfect your tennis technique. Unleash your competitive side with twice-weekly group tennis tournaments and channel your inner-champion as you put your new-found skills to the test on your tennis holiday. After a day of serve-and-volley, enjoy the benefits of a spa and sport holiday as you wind down with a personalised massage and relax in the beachfront Thalasso Spa with breath-taking views across the Med.
Serve it and smash it with the guidance of professional mentors on this tennis holiday at Thanyapura, sheltered beneath the peaceful mountains of Phuket. Train amongst tennis stars and international teams on 6 competition-class courts. Compliment your tennis with a selection of fitness classes including spinning, Kinesis and Pilates, so you can enjoy the benefits of a fitness holiday. Reap the rewards of a rejuvenating sports massage at the resort spa or indulge in the experience with holistic treatments for an enhanced sense of well-being. Reconnect with your mind, body and soul at this dedicated fitness retreat and return home with a sharper game that will have your opponents running in circles.
Venture across the pond to the Sunshine State of Florida, where you can train like a champ at this luxurious wellness resort nestled within a 480-acre nature preserve. Boasting 45 tennis courts, including all four Grand Slam surfaces, follow the lead of the likes of Pete Sampras and Martina Hingis as you perfect your game with the help of top-calibre coaches during Tennis Academy sessions. Perfect for a tennis and golf holiday, master a different kind of swing as you swap your tennis racket for a golf club, with two world-class courses and practice range onsite. After a day of drop shots and drives, you’ll welcome the rejuvenating treatments within Saddlebrook’s first-class spa facilities.
Gain the advantage on this coastal tennis holiday at D-Hotel Maris in Turkey, overlooking where the Aegean and Mediterranean waters meet. Learn to ace your tennis technique during private lessons with the D-Hotel Tennis School, headed up by Wimbledon champion and Olympic medallist, Goran Ivanisevic. Off the court, unwind with reviving spa treatments or take advantage of complimentary group classes, from spinning to yoga. With five natural private beaches to choose from, continue your sporty streak as you soak up the sunshine during a game of beach volleyball, making it a great choice for a sports holiday.
Gain the advantage over your tennis game and your fitness levels on this active tennis holiday at BodyHoliday in St Lucia. Set upon the secluded bay of Cariblue, hit the courts for private coaching and group tennis lessons, before testing what you’ve learnt with a tennis competition between fellow guests, making it perfect for a singles tennis holiday. Round out your all-inclusive tennis holiday with a wide range of group fitness classes, land and water sports, including, yoga, Box Fit, mountain biking and kayaking. After an active day, relax at the luxury spa with a choice of daily treatments, including massages, body scrubs and facials.
Serve it and smash iton a 2-night tennis break at Grayshott Spa, set in 47 acres of peaceful gardens and woodland in the Surrey countryside. An ideal escape for those wanting to learn tennis on holiday, ace your game with two hour-long private coaching sessions with Grayshott’s own tennis pro, before practicing your skills with complimentary use of the indoor and outdoor tennis courts. Keep active with daily walks in the surrounding grounds and adjacent National Trust land, or join in with a variety of group classes, including yoga, Pilates, circuit training and Tai Chi. Finish off your short tennis break with a reviving massage to return home a fully rejuvenated tennis pro.
Add some Vitamin-D to your game as you soak up the sun on a tennis training camp in the tropics. Beneath tropical palm trees, Carlisle Bay’s nine courts are a stone’s throw away from the turquoise waters edge, including four floodlit courts for cooler evening games. With six private tennis lessons included and optional complimentary clinics, you will have plenty of opportunity to improve your tennis technique under the tuition of professional instructors. In-between games, explore on a rainforest hike or take to the tropical waters paddle boarding, before rejuvenating with a deep tissue massage at the award-winning Blue Spa.
