How To Play Better Tennis On Grass Courts

Wimbledon, arguably the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, takes place on grass courts. Playing tennis on grass is a unique experience that requires a different skill set than playing on clay or hard courts. Here are some tips to help you play better on grass courts.

Adjust Your Footwork

Grass courts can be slippery, which will make moving and changing directions a challenge. To play effectively on grass, you need to adjust your footwork. Take small, quick steps instead of big strides. This allows you to maintain your balance and stay in control of your movements. It’s also important to keep your weight balanced on the balls of your feet rather than your heels, which can cause you to slip. Additionally, you should aim to recover to the centre of the court after every shot, as this is the best position to prepare for the opponent’s next move.

Adjust Your Swing 

Playing on grass requires a different approach to swinging the racket. The low bounce means that players need to take the ball earlier and swing faster. Focus on keeping your swing compact and taking the ball early to avoid getting caught off balance. Grass courts might also vary in terms of speed and bounce, so you need to be able to adapt accordingly.

Stay Low

Because of the lower bounce on grass courts, you should try to stay low. Keep your knees bent to lower your centre of gravity. This will help give you greater stability and control over your shots. By staying low, you can also use more of your leg muscles to generate power in your shots.

Serve And Volley

Grass courts are notorious for their fast and low bounces, which makes serving effectively a key factor in winning points. A well-executed serve can give you an advantage, set up an easy volley and put pressure on your opponent. On grass, it’s advantageous to serve and volley, which means moving forward to the net after your serve. This strategy works well on grass because the low bounce of the ball can make it difficult for your opponent to return your volley.

Make Use Of Slices

Slicing is a shot that produces a backspin on the ball, causing it to bounce lower and slower. The grass surface causes the ball to skid and stay low, making it difficult for your opponent to return the ball with pace. Use the slice to keep your opponent off balance and to create opportunities for yourself to come into the net. To slice effectively, you need to slightly open your racket face and contact the ball in a downward motion.

Play Aggressively

Grass courts are conducive to aggressive play, as they reward players who take the initiative by hitting hard and flat, since the ball tends to skid, adding to its speed. This type of play puts more pressure on your opponent and can force them to make mistakes. Practice hitting hard, flat shots and aim for the corners of the court.

Maintain Your Focus To Reduce Unforced Errors

On grass courts, the ball plays faster and the bounce can be unpredictable at times. As a result, you might find yourself making more unforced errors. Don’t get discouraged. Instead, stay focused and maintain your composure. Grass courts can be mentally challenging, as the fast-paced game might be overwhelming. Keep your emotions in check and focus on your strokes.

Choose The Right Tennis Shoes

The choice of shoes is crucial to perform well on grass courts. Most tennis shoes are designed for hard courts, which offer better traction. Grass courts require a different set of footwear, as the surface is softer and slicker. The type of tennis shoes that work best on grass has flatter soles with small pimples, which provide traction without damaging the delicate grass surface. Some players prefer to wear shoes with a herringbone pattern, which offers a better grip on grass as well as clay courts.

Overall, playing on grass courts requires a different skill set and strategies than other court surfaces. You need to adjust your footwork and swing. Remember to stay low, serve and volley more, as well as use slices to gain an advantage. You should try to play aggressively while maintaining focus to reduce unforced errors. Also, consider investing in the right pair of tennis shoes that provide sufficient traction. With these tips in mind, you will be able to increase your chances of winning points when playing on this unique court surface!