Why playing regular tennis is essential at any level

This is an article ‘Why playing regular tennis is essential at any level’ by Marc Pulisci

Tennis is an engaging activity that can be enjoyed by two individuals or two groups in tandem. Although it may seem apparent to many players, most people who indulge in the sport focus on repetitive techniques they learn during practice. For some, taking up classes to strengthen mental toughness while honing unique skills on an intermediate level can spell the difference. However, most professional players will tell you that simply playing matches regularly on the court is the key to developing every area of your game to its full potential.

Arguably, some players may have taken the time and effort to enroll in world-class tennis lessons but still fall short of optimizing their performances on the court. To better understand why regular live play is equally important compared to practice, it's essential to learn that tennis development can best manifest by noting subtle improvements as you play a match. Regular play is definitely better than simply doing forehand repetitions or mastering footwork.

Here are some reasons why you should always consider learning from play aside from practice and what other insights you can gain from regular on-court matches:

It develops your decision-making skills

Tennis IQ is both innate and developed. But it is during every match that you realize how it requires you to make split-second decisions under extreme pressure. Regardless of how your coach trains you to develop intelligent on-court judgments, you are the only one who can decide which return shot is better or how you can get an advantage against your opponent during a rally. This decision-making skill can be highly developed by regularly playing against opponents on the court.

Of course, every opponent is unique, and you may learn all you want about them prior to a match. But only during a match will you see how he lobs the ball, smashes it with an odd sidespin, or read his footwork. Exposing yourself in live play gets you better acquainted with your opponent both on the physical and mental facets of his game. Getting a good read and sizing your opponent will kick in your intuition for better reaction time.

It improves your open skills

Most tennis-related practices are considered closed-skill development in how they are controlled and improved via repetitions. However, tennis is more of an open-skill sport. Scenarios can suddenly shift on a whim, and you may find yourself struggling to adjust your strategy from one play to another.

The typical atmosphere during practice sessions is tightly controlled in that each technique, stroke, and drill is planned. For instance, players might work closely with their coaches on routine exercises, first honing their backhand technique before improving forehand techniques. In other words, practice sessions usually follow a steady yet monotonous routine. This is not to say that shadowing and repetitive drills are unnecessary. Repetitive efforts build muscle memory while also promoting proper conditioning and endurance.

However, players that implement those developed skills during a live match can further improve how they deliver tactics and shots from their arsenal. On-court plays allow the player to tweak whatever he has learned from repetitive drills according to his opponent's performance or capabilities. Such open-skill opportunities pave the way for higher tennis IQ and better shot selection memory.

It promotes social graces and mental toughness

Notice how some professional players have fallen to frustration on lost points or even the umpire? Tennis is considered a gentlemen's game that entails social graces, poise, and proper etiquette. Nonetheless, it can sometimes be upsetting, especially when you're exhausted. Think John McEnroe.

Playing regularly with friends, teammates, or family helps you control your emotions. Notice how Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal hold their annual friendly exhibitions for the Rod Laver Cup? That's because most tennis players are known for being amiable and socially active.

Aside from promoting congeniality, engaging in regular tennis matches also polishes a player's mental toughness by allowing him to size up his opponent and respect each other's abilities. Think of it as a double-edged sword wherein you should show respect while calculating your moves to gain an edge over your opponent.

Regular play promotes quicker skills development

Your pace in skills improvement will be more accelerated with regular play than merely attending practice sessions alone. Aside from being more proficient on the court, a player learns new tactics and in-play strategies that can optimize his overall performance while being able to balance his stamina and mental toughness.

Coach-led deliberate practices are perfect for beginners as it is systematically designed to set the player's focus and attention to a particular skill. However, more advanced players stand to gain more significant levels of improvement from engaging in actual matches at least twice per week.

The thing about playing regularly on the court is that the rate of improvement appreciates in every match as opposed to sticking to tennis lessons for most of the time.

Playing on-court tennis is your key to overall wellness

Research from the Copenhagen City Heart Study shows that regularly playing tennis on the court can increase your lifespan by nearly ten years. Needless to say, the sport is suitable for any player's health and fitness regimen. Live matches give players that burst of energy similar to high-intensity interval training, or HIIT, sessions that are good for burning calories and keeping the body's metabolism in tip-top condition.

Regular on-court sessions also show multiple benefits in players' stress and anxiety levels, not to mention promoting improved cardiovascular activities and better bone and muscle strength. Tennis is also an excellent way to achieve your fitness objectives, whether you're a seasoned expert or new to the game. According to the CDC, all adults require at least an hour and a half of light activity each week to keep healthy. Dedicating at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic tennis activity through regular daily play is enough to improve your health.

During live play, a player's hand-eye coordination is also significantly improved, along with his timing. While the upper body must concurrently shift to hit the ball, lower-body agility is synchronized to move toward the ball. These spur-of-the-moment motions become more natural as a player regularly plays every match, which can do wonders for his confidence on the court.