05/21/2026
Demonstration from today’s training session on the importance of taking the ball on the rise and getting into the net. Tennis is a game about taking time away from the opponent.
Most junior players- even top ranked get stuck once players start making the transition towards ITF tournaments (the pro circuit under the ATP). It is here the top 3000 tennis players in the world battle it out to see who could make it to the real show.
I have played in these kinds of tournaments myself, and the main thing that stands it out is that all the players have complete games, but also the shocking ability to sometimes win the point instantly off the slightest weak reply. This makes a big difference, because most junior tennis players learn how to “just get the ball in”.
Once they continue with this strategy that some coaching organizations still worship to this day, it becomes nearly impossible to break through an open level men’s tournament or even get into an itf qualifying event.
At a competitive level, attacking style tennis is what wins matches. It is important for tennis players to learn how to play aggressive early on. To put it simply:
You play the ball, don’t let the ball play you.
The shift is due to technique, by doing things in a certain simple way.