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FAQ
All Frequently Asked Questions become the
property
of
Everything
Tennis
In the
event
that you
have not
had your
tennis
question
answered
from the
list of
Frequently
Asked
Questions
above,
you may
choose
to fill
out the
form
to
have
your
particular
question
addressed.
Please
be
advised
that I
cannot
and will
not
supply
medical
advice,
so
please
do not
ask any
questions
regarding
any
medical
issues.
Please
allow
24-48
hours
for me
to
respond
to your
frequently
asked
questions.
Check
back
often as
there
are
always
new
answers
being
added to
our
Frequently
Asked
Questions database.
"General"
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Q.
What is
earliest
age a
child
can play
tennis
tournaments?
A.
I tend
to
recommend
that
parents
start
their
children
as soon
as they
are
mature
enough
to learn
that
winning
is not
the goal
but to
get
better
and
develop
their
skills.
There
is
however,
a very
delicate
balance
between
having
them
learn
how
handle
losing
and
teaching
them how
to win.
Q.
How
long to
become a
good
tennis
player?
A.
A lot
depends
on how
much
time and
effort
that you
have to
invest
in
learning
the
game.
Think
of it
like
this, a
child
starts
school
and
spends
let's
say an
average
of six
hours
there
everyday
for 180
days per
year.
That's
180 days per
year in
class to
learn
basic
reading,
writing
and math
skills.
Let's
say that
you take
just two
hours a
day for
five
days a
week,
for
those
same 180
days, I
believe
that you
would be
on your
way to
having
much
success
in
learning
the
game.
That
works
out to
be 360
hours
over the
same
period.
Remember
consistency
is the
key when
learning
the game
of
tennis.
Back to
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Q.
What
age
should I
teach my
child
how to
play
tennis?
A.
I am an
advocate
in
teaching
children
tennis
as soon
as
possible.
What I
recommend
is that
you
teach
him/her
the
basics
of
learning
how to
catch
and
other
hand-eye
coordination
skills
as early
as
possible.
Back to
FAQ
Q. How
can you
improve
your
tennis
as you
get
older?
A.
As we
age we
tend to
slow
down and
lose a
step or
two.
However,
I am a
firm
believer
that we
have to
use
other
things
to help
us
maintain
or
bodies
such as,
strength
and
flexibility
training
and
maintaining
a
healthy
diet.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
What
gear
should a
tennis
player
have?
A.
The
first
thing
that you
will
need is
a good
quality
tennis
racquet.
The nest
thing
that I
would
suggest
is the
proper
tennis
shoes.
Finally,
the
desire
to learn
the
game.
The
desire
to learn
is a
little
overlooked
aspect
in
playing
tennis.
I often
see
individuals
come out
with
"cheap"
equipment
and
still if
they
have the
desire
to
learn,
they can
still me
moderately
successful
in
tennis.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
How
often
should a
child
play
tennis
to be
good?
A.
A lot
depends
on how
much
time and
effort
that you
have to
invest
in
learning
the
game.
Think
of it
like
this, a
child
starts
school
and
spends
let's
say an
average
of six
hours
there
everyday
for 180
days per
year.
That's
180 days per
year in
class to
learn
basic
reading,
writing
and math
skills.
Let's
say that
you take
just two
hours a
day for
five
days a
week,
for
those
same 180
days, I
believe
that you
would be
on your
way to
having
much
success
in
learning
the
game.
That
works
out to
be 360
hours
over the
same
period.
Remember
consistency
is the
key when
learning
the game
of
tennis.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
How
do you
know
tennis
is the
right
sport
for you?
A.
I
believe
that it
depends
on your
age,
physical
capabilities
and
motivation.
For
a young
person,
tennis
has many
advantages
however,
it can
be
difficult
to learn
on your
own.
Notice
I did
not say
impossible,
just
more
difficult
for
someone
to teach
themselves
as
opposed
to
learning
to shoot
or
dribble
a
basketball
and get
proficient
at it.
On
the
other
hand, as
an adult
tennis
has many
social
as well
as
physical
benefits
that you
can't
find in
many
other
sports.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
Why
should
kids
play
tennis?
A. I
like
tennis
for kids
because
I
believe
that as
an
individualized
sport,
it
teaches
them to
take
responsibility
for
their
actions.
Let me
clarify.
As a
player
on a
basketball
team,
your
child
may not
know how
to
dribble
but,
they can
know how
to
rebound.
That
puts
them in
direct
competition
with
another
child
that may
have all
of those
skills.
That
is not
to say
that
your
child
cannot
learn
those
skills,
only
that
while
they are
in the
process
of
learning
they
will not
be
playing
in
organized
games.
This is
due
mostly
to
emphasis
on
winning.
Whereas
in
tennis,
your
child
has to
know how
to do
everything.
They
need to
master
all of
the
different
areas of
tennis
in order
to get
to a
level
where
they can
begin to
compete
and
eventually
win.
It is
my
belief
that
this
sets
tennis
apart
from the
"team"
sports
in that
it
teaches
the
child to
take
responsibility
for
their
actions
and
their
improvement.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
How
important
is a
good
coach
when
starting
to play
tennis
at 5?
A.
It is of
great
importance
if you
have
decided
that the
child is
going to
become
serious
tennis
participant.
First
of all,
you need
to find
a coach
that is
going to
be able
to teach
your
child
the
basics.
One that
has
patience
and
understands
what
you
envision
for your
child's
future.
There
are
coaches
I am
sorry to
say that
are only
looking
for the
player
that has
already
reached
a
particular
level of
success
in
tennis
so as to
make
their
job
easier.
It
takes
many
months
and
years to
develop
a young
child to
the
point
where
they can
attain
the
success
that the
parent
may be
looking
for.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
Does
South
Florida
have the
best
tennis
players?
A.
I
believe
that any
of the
states
like
Florida,
Texas,
California
that
have
warmer
climates
which
allows
players
to
practice
more
tend to
have
better
participation
and
facilities.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
Where
can I
find
women's
tennis
apparel?
A.
Go to
this
page:
Women's
Tennis
Apparel
Back to
FAQ
Q.
Can
I learn
to play
tennis
with bad
coordination?
A.
I can
only
assume
that you
are
either a
teen or
adult.
With
that
assumption
in mind
let me
answer
your
question
this
way.
Tennis
is a
sport
that can
be very
frustrating
for
beginners,
especially
if you
have
never
played
any
sports
before.
However,
I have
seen
individuals
teens,
and even
some
adults
that I
have
personally
taught
who had
virtually
no
coordination
develop
into
fairly
good
tennis
players.
It is
not as
much
about
coordination
as it is
about
motivation
and
desire.
If you
are
committed
to
learning
tennis
and have
the time
and
desire,
I
believe
that you
can
achieve
whatever
your
goals
are.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
How
to beat
a really
good
tennis
player
if you
are a
beginner?
A.
I think
that if
you are
a
beginner
and you
want to
beat
someone
that has
progressed
to a
higher
level in
tennis
that you
need to
take
lessons
and
allow
yourself
to play
that
individual
and see
at what
level
you
would
like to
achieve.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
Why did
you
create
this
page?
I
created
this
page to
answer
some of
the
frequently
asked
questions
that I
get so
often.
Some
of these
frequently
asked
questions
come
from my
students
and some
come
from
individuals
that
come to
this
page
just
like you
looking
for
answers
about
tennis.
Feel
free to
add your
frequently
asked
questions
to the
form
below.
Q.
Do
tennis
Ball
Machines
help you
learn
tennis?
A.
I would
not say
that a
ball
machine
can
necessarily
help you
learn
however,
it is a
great
tool for
working
on
particular
strokes
such as,
forehand,
backhand,
volleys,
etc.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
How come
I play
tennis
well one
day and
not the
next?
A.
Welcome
to the
ups and
downs of
tennis.
Not only
tennis
but all
sports
have
this in
common.
The key
to this
for me
anyway
is to
enjoy
playing
the game
and just
try to
continue
to
improve.
When
playing
tennis
you will
have
good
days
that you
feel
like you
just
can't
miss a
shot and
still
other
days
where
you fell
like you
should
have
stayed
in bed.
Don't
sweat
it. We
don't
play for
those
days
where we
fell
like we
can't
make a
shot, we
play for
those
days
where we
feel
like the
ball is
as big
as a
basketball
and we
simply
can't
miss!
Back to
FAQ
Q.
Can you
learn
tennis
without
taking
lessons?
A.
Absolutely.
In fact
I have
seen
many
recreational
players
enjoy
the game
and
become
good
players
without
taking
ever one
lesson.
On
the
other
hand, if
you
would
like to
begin
playing
tournament
tennis
against
other
players
that
have had
had
professional
coaching,
it
becomes
more
difficult
to win
matches
against
these
players.
A
professional
Instructor
can not
only
help you
to hone
your
strokes,
they can
teach
you the
strategy
and
finer
points
of the
game
that are
difficult
if not
impossible
to learn
on your
own.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
Should a
public
park
charge
to play
on
tennis
courts?
A.
Many
municipalities
and
county
tennis
facilities
are
beginning
to
charge a
tennis
court
"use
fee" as
a way to
generate
income
to help
with the
upkeep
and
maintenance.
Often
times
however
there is
a
trade-off
an
whether
you want
to play
on
courts
that are
well
maintained
or don't
mind
nets
that are
broken
down and
algae on
the
courts.
Some
other
public
court
facilities
will
only
charge
at night
for when
the
lights
are in
use.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
About
"Tennis
Strings"
Q.
What
should I
know
about
tennis
strings?
A.
The
first
thing
to keep
in mind
is that
strings
do not
last
forever.
From the
time
that a
racquet
is
strung
the
strings
start to
deteriorate.
That is,
the
begin to
lose
their
ability
to apply
force to
the
balls,
i.e.,
they
stretch.
Understand
that
strings
undergo
a great
deal of
force
both
when
they are
installed
and when
they
come in
contact
with the
tennis
ball.
One
rule of
thumb is
to have
your
racquet
strung
per year
based on
the
number
of times
that you
play per
week.
What
that
means is
that if
you play
six days
a week
that you
should
have
your
racquet
strung
six
times a
year ,
or every
other
month.
I
have
seen
players
who only
change
their
strings
if they
break.
In my
opinion
this is
contrary
to what
is good
for the
player
to get
the most
out of
their
racquets
and the
racquet.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
Why
would
someone
use two
different
strings
in
tennis?
A.
There
are
several
reasons
that you
would
use two
different
strings.
Lets
say that
you are
frequent
string
breaker.
You may
benefit
from
using
polyester
string
in your
racquet.
The
problem
with
using
polyester
is that
it is
very
stiff
and it
can
produce
undue
stress
on the
players
arm.
What
players
do in
this
case is
they use
a softer
string
on the
cross
strings
and the
polyester
on the
"mains",
which
are the
vertical
strings.
This
will
usually
result
in
better
playability
and
greater
durability.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
What
do they
mean
with
hybrid
tennis
string?
A. Hybrid tennis strings are composed of two different
strings.
One for
the
"mains"
and the
other
for the
"crosses".
The purpose for using Hybrid strings are to give more
durability,
power
and/or
feel to
the
racquet
as
opposed
to just
using
one type
of
string
for the
racquet.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
Why
should I
use two
different
gauge
strings
on
tennis?
A. The thing about playing tennis is trying to
experiment
using
different
gauge
strings
and also
types of
strings.
Strings come in different gauges. The higher the
number ,
the
thinner
the
string.
An
example
of this
would be
that 16
gauge
would be
thinner
than 15
gauge
and 17
gauge
would be
thinner
that 16
gauge
and so
on.
Sometimes this can take months to find the right
combination
of gauge
and
string
type in
order
for you
to find
the
perfect
string
for your
style of
play.
Generally speaking lower gauge string will provide
more
durability
but less
feel or
control
and
higher
gauge
string
will
provide
more
spin,
power
and
control.
Click
here
for more
info.
Q.
If I
strung
my
racquet
today
and
didn't
play
with it
until
two or
three
months
from
now,
would
the
string
retain
its
tension?
A.
Unfortunately,
tennis
strings
from the
time
that
they are
installed
begin to
stretch
even
though
the
racquet
is not
being
used.
Also, it
depends
on where
the
racquet
is being
stored
during
that
time. If
the
racquet
is
stored
in the
trunk of
the car
for
instance,
it
places a
great
deal of
stress
not only
on the
strings,
but also
on the
racquet.
If
however,
the
racquet
has not
been
subject
to such
temperature
extremes,
you
should
be able
to get
some use
from
them
without
too much
loss in
tension.
There is
nothing
more
hostile
to the
strings
then
actually
hitting
tennis
balls
where
they
receive
the most
stretch.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
About
Teens & Tennis
Q.
How
does a
teen get
better
at
tennis?
A.
You can
get
better
by
playing
with
individuals
that are
better
than you
are.
Unfortunately,
usually
the
players
that are
than you
are may
not
necessarily
want to
play
with
you.
Another
option
that you
can wish
to
pursue
is to
join a
USTA
team
tennis
league.
There
you can
compete
against
players
who are
at or
near
your
level,
thereby
getting
more
experience
and
competition.
You
can of
course
take
lessons
which I
encourage
in order
to get
better
faster.
Think of
taking
lessons
as
someone
hiring a
tutor.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
Can
you
start
playing
tennis
as a
teenager?
A.
Yes you
can
start
playing
tennis
at any
age. As
a matter
of fact
I
believe
that for
some
children
that may
be the
best
time to
begin.
Now
your
expectations
for how
far you
are
likely
to go
may have
to be
different.
But, if
you want
to let's
say make
the high
school
tennis
team or
play
local
tournaments,
even
starting
as a
teen you
can find
much
success
and
gratification.
Also,
even if
you
don't
decide
to take
those
options,
tennis
is a lot
of fun
and it
can help
you to
keep in
shape or
get in
shape if
you are
not in
shape.
Back to
FAQ
Frequently
Asked
Questions
About "Grips"
Q.
How
have
tennis
grips
changed
over the
years?
A.
Tennis
grips
have
definitely
gone to
a more
"western"
style of
holding
the
racquet.
Find out
more
Here
Back to
FAQ
Q.
Why
are
there
different
tennis
racket
grips?
A.
Different
grips
provide
the
player
with the
ability
to hit
the ball
at
different
levels
and
create
various
spins
while
doing
so.
An
example
of this
is the
"continental
grip"
was the
preferred
grip
when
hitting
their
ground
strokes
thirty
years
ago but
virtually
no top
tennis
players
use that
grip
except
on
volleys
and
serves.
For more
on this
visit
this
page
Back to
FAQ
Frequently
Asked
Questions
About
"Tennis
Racquets"
Q.
What
tennis
racquet
produces
the most
power?
A.
This has
always
been a
subject
that has
caused
tennis
players
to go
out and
purchase
many
racquets
that
have
claims
of
providing
the most
power.
Power
I
believe
however,
comes
from
racquet
head
speed
and
employing
the
right
technique
while
hitting
the
ball.
Don't
focus so
much on
power as
much as
placement
and
technique.
After
you
achieve
those
two,
then add
power.
Back to
FAQ
Q.
Where
can you
have
your
racket
re-strung?
A.
You can
look on
line for
places
such as
your
local
Sports
Authority
store.
The turn
around
time for
these
services
can vary
from as
little
as one
day to
as much
as a
week.
There
may also
be in
your
area
independent
contractors
who
string
racquets
as well
as your
local
tennis
center
or even
some
private
clubs.
Back to
FAQ
Frequently
Asked
Questions
About "Courts"
Q.
What is
the
distance
of a
tennis
court
baseline
to
baseline?
A.
The
distance
from
baseline
to
baseline
is 78
ft.
For
complete
tennis
court
dimensions
click
Here
Back to
FAQ
Frequently
Asked
Questions
About "Strategy"
Q.
How
to play
a better
tennis
net
game?
A.
Having a
good net
game is
probably
a lost
art in
tennis
as more
and more
tennis
is
played
from the
baseline.
That
being
said,
one of
the ways
to get
better
from the
net is
to work
on
specific
drills
that
will
enhance
your
volleying
skills.
One
particular
drill
that I
like is
having
both
players
up at
the net
standing
about
mid ways
inside
the
service
boxes
and try
to
volley
the ball
without
letting
it hit
the
ground.
You
will be
surprised
at how
fast
your
reflexes
need to
be and
how much
you need
to move
your
feet
even
that
close to
the net.
Q.
What is
the best
strategy
for
hitting
ball
past net
player
in
tennis?
A.
There
are many
variables
that are
associated
with
this
questions:
1.
Why is
the
player
able to
come the
net?
Are you
perhaps
hitting
your
groundstrokes
that
short
that the
opponent
is
"forced"
to come
to the
net?
2.
What
surface
are you
playing
on?
If
you are
playing
on clay
then I
would
use the
topspin
lob as a
way of
keeping
the
opponent
off
balance
if you
are
playing
a player
that
continues
to rush
the net.
3.
You can
yourself
begin to
come to
the net.
Often
players
that
come to
the net
find it
uncomfortable
when
they
have to
hit
passing
shots.
Q.
How can
you
beat
your
coach in
tennis?
A.
I can
remember
when I
was
taking
lessons
years
ago. My
coach
and I
would
play
practice
sets and
I just
wanted
to win
so
badly.
Of
course,
being so
young I
did not
realize
that he
had so
many
more
years of
experience
and a
lot more
match
play.
He
seemingly
had an
answer
for
every
shot
that I
hit.
Now I
know
better
regarding
that
thought.
Now I
realize
that if
I did
beat him
it would
have to
be
because
I was
gaining
that
much
more
skill
and
development.
I
guess
what I
am
trying
to say
is don't
focus so
much on
beating
him ,
focus on
what he
is
trying
to teach
you.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
About
"Shoes"
Q.
What
is the
new
balance
shoe
guarantee?
A.
You
should
check
the New
Balance
web site
for
specific
guarantee
on their
shoes.
Some of
the
tennis
shoes
come
with a
six
month
wear out
warranty
and some
do not.
You can
find out
more
Here
Q.
How
often
should I
change
my
tennis
shoes?
A.
I try
and
change
my shoes
before
they get
too
worn.
That
wearing
can
interfere
with
traction
on the
court
which
may lead
to
slipping
and
falling.
One
little
trick
that I
have
always
used to
get more
wear out
of my
shoes is
to buy
two
pairs
and
switch
them out
every
other
day as I
go out
and
practice
or play
a match.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
About "Serving"
Q.
What are
the best
kept
secrets
for
improving
your
tennis
serve?
A.
You can
of
course
go to a
Professional
Tennis
Instructor
and take
lessons.
That
being
said,
even
after
taking
lessons
you will
need to
practice
your
serve.
It
has been
my
experience
that the
serve is
probably
the
least
practiced
yet the
most
technically
demanding
shot in
tennis.
I
often
see
players
practice
their
strokes
for two
hours
and
never
work on
their
serves.
Invariably,
they go
out and
play a
match
and lose
and then
wonder
why.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
About "Rules"
Q.
If you
are
playing
tennis
and hit
the net
does it
count?
A.: If
you hit
the ball
and it
is not
out, the
ball
must
bounce
twice
before
you
contact
the net
or
before
your
opponent
hits it.
Back to
FAQ
Frequently
Asked
Questions
About
"Environmental
Issues"
Q:
What are
some
preventative
maintenance
measures
for
tennis
players?
A:
Some of
the
things
that I
recommend
to my
students
can be
found
here
Back to
FAQ
Q:
If I
have a
bad back
can I
still
play
tennis?
A:
Please
be
advised
that I
cannot
and will
not
supply
medical
advice,
so
please
do not
ask any
questions
regarding
any
medical
issues.
Seek
out the
advice
of a
competent
medical
professional
Back to
FAQ
Q:
Does one
get
better
from
group
lessons?
A:
The
answer
to this
can vary
from
individual
to
individual.
Some
people
learn
better
in an
environment
where
they
have a
feeling
of
competitiveness
from
their
peers.
Then
again,
there
are
those of
us who
respond
better
to one
on one
coaching
and
mentoring.
I
believe
that a
combination
of the
two
works
well for
most
people.
In other
words,
go out
and find
a clinic
or group
lesson
to have
some fun
and also
seek out
a
qualified
tennis
professional
to help
improve
your
strokes.
Back to
FAQ
Q:
What do
I do
when I
play
with
"crappy"
players?
A: Since
you are
asking
this
question,
I assume
that
your
level in
tennis
in terms
of the
individuals
that you
are
playing
with is
much
better.
That
being
said, it
would
depend
on why
you are
playing
against
opponents
that are
that
much
below
your
level.
The
question
that I
would
ask is
are you
playing
for
social,
business
or
recreational
reasons.
If the
answer
is
social
then I
would
say
lighten
up and
just
enjoy
and make
friends.
If on
the
other
hand, if
the
individuals
that you
are
playing
with are
business
associates
and you
are
playing
strictly
to gain
their
business
I would
say that
unless
you want
to
jeopardize
those
relationships
that you
find
someone
else to
play
with.
Finally,
if the
reason
is for
recreational
purposes,
remember
that you
were not
always
at the
level
that you
are
right
now and
maybe
someone
thought
you were
a
"crappy"
player.
The
best
thing to
do in
that
situation
is to
find
some
other
players
that are
better
than you
so that
you
would
have a
challenge.
Back to
FAQ
Q:
Are
there
any
indoor
tennis
courts
in South
Florida?
A: To my
knowledge
there
are no
indoor
tennis
courts
in South
Florida.
There
was a
facility
located
in Palm
Beach
about
twenty
five
years
ago but,
the
interest
level
was not
high
enough
to keep
such a
facility
open.
If it
can't
work in
Palm
Beach
which is
one of
the
wealthiest
counties
in South
Florida,
I do not
see it
happening
anywhere
else in
South
Florida.
Back to
FAQ
Q: How
do I
find a
player
to hit
with?
A:
You can
join a
local
club or
if you
live in
a
community
that has
a Tennis
Center,
call and
see if
they
offer a
Tennis
Social
where
individuals
get
together
for a
day or
night of
playing
tennis.
The cost
for such
programs
is
usually
very
minimal.
You can
also
check
with
organizations
such as
the
United
States
Tennis
Association
(USTA)
for more
information
on local
programs.
Back to
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Asked
Questions
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