By Stephen Huss, 2005 Wimbledon Doubles Champion, Program Director, Huss 75 76 Tennis at Crooked Creek
I would ask all ALTA players to reflect on their matches and their shots and consider how often that hit directly AT their opponents. In all levels of tennis, people can get irritated or upset if they think their opponent tried to hit them with the ball.
I am encouraging everyone to hit to where the space is, so you can hit more winners and because it will make your opponents run to get the ball back. While it is certainly a tactic to hit a high volley or an overhead directly at your opposition, that gives them a chance to reflex it and get it back. If you can hit your offensive shot to space, it will most likely be a winner.
So where is the space? You won’t always know, but if you pay attention, you will get better at noticing it. If your partner hits a T serve, then the space is behind the returner; after a wide serve, the space is in the middle of the court. Sometimes, the space is a drop shot because both opponents are at the baseline. Sometimes, the space is over their heads because they are standing so close to the net.
Find the space and hit to it for better results!
About Stephen: Stephen Huss is from Melbourne, Australia. He was an All American in singles and doubles at Auburn University and is a former National Women’s coach. He has coached Sofia Kenin, Jennifer Brady, and Caroline Dolehide. Huss is a former assistant coach at Virginia Tech (men’s tennis) where the team earned a #12 national ranking. He also is the 2005 Wimbledon Men’s Doubles Champion. Huss has competed in 37 grand slams, won 4 ATP titles, 17 Challenger Titles, and 8 Future Titles. Stephen runs his Elite Tennis Program, Stephen Huss 75 76 Tennis out of Crooked Creek. More info: sceneytennis.net/stephen-huss-75-76-tennis.
