The story goes that The Bryan Brothers played a U S Open doubles final years ago that lasted nearly two and a half hours. It’s reported that their father charted the match…and that the twins only had two net errors in the entire match.
Incredible.
Welby Van Horn used to call net errors felonies. After reading his classic book Secrets of A True Tennis Master, it occurred to me that players of all levels ought to put a note in their tennis bags that says, ‘when I’m playing my best tennis, I have very few felonies.’
When you look at this picture, ask yourself two questions.
1. Couldn’t I have gotten a bit more below that ground stroke and given the ball more margin?
2. Might I have found the sweet spot of my racquet on that volley if I was short and sweet like a baseball player bunting to advance a teammate?
The better the player, the fewer the felonies.
Maybe before league season begins, play a game (for money) where first to 31 points wins and any netted ball gives the opponent 3 points instead of 1.
Practicing that way will turn hindsight into foresight and make you play wiser…and better.
What You’re Saying