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This week's coaching reads
⭐ New this issue: our complete beginner's guide, plus fresh reads on effortless forehand power, split-step footwork, and the mental game under pressure — alongside the Shanghai Masters 2026 scouting report.
New to Tennis? Your Complete Beginner's Guide
Just starting out? Our own guide walks you through singles and doubles tactics, what gear to actually buy, surface differences, and the best starter video lessons — everything you need to step on court with confidence.
Read articleForehand Power Technique for Effortless Power
Power doesn't come from swinging harder — it comes from loading first. This breakdown shows how to coil the hips and over-rotate the shoulders to build a stretch before the forward swing, so the racquet accelerates with far less effort.
Read articleSplit-Step Timing — and Drills to Master It
The split step is the first move of every shot, and timing is everything: land as your opponent makes contact, weight on the balls of your feet, ready to explode. Includes simple drills to groove the hop so your first step is always quicker.
Read article8 Techniques for Staying Calm Under Pressure
Most players don't forget how to hit a forehand under pressure — their attention just drifts to the score. Eight practical techniques, from longer-exhale breathing to a repeatable between-point routine, to keep your head in the match when it tightens.
Read articleMaster Your Forehand: Coach Adri's Complete Guide
An ATP coach breaks down a smooth, repeatable forehand from the ground up — split step into the unit turn, keeping the racquet in your field of vision through preparation, and a relaxed swing path that holds up under match pace.
Read articleShanghai Masters 2026 Scouting Report: Zverev, Alcaraz & Djokovic Chase the Title
The penultimate Masters 1000 of the season is underway. Top seed Alexander Zverev arrives with a Tour-leading 58 wins and two majors in 2026, Carlos Alcaraz is still hunting a first Shanghai crown, and 39-year-old Novak Djokovic is chasing a record fifth — a look at the draw, the storylines, and the routines that keep players sharp deep into a long year.
Read articleMastering the Two-Handed Backhand: Grip, Swing & Power
Think of your non-dominant (top) hand as the “driver” and the bottom hand as the “passenger.” This guide covers the continental-over-forehand grip stack, a body-driven swing with full weight transfer, and why two hands give you control on high balls.
Read articleThe Driving Force in Your Two-Handed Backhand
How to turn a safe, blocking two-hander into an offensive weapon — engaging the legs and core for drive, meeting the ball out in front, and finishing fully so the shot penetrates instead of sitting up.
Read articleTennis Forehand Drills to Groove a Reliable Stroke
Progressive drills from service-line contact work to cross-court consistency and the inside-out attack. The theme: build the stroke under control first, then add pressure with faster feeds so it holds up in a real rally.
Read articleA Guide to Tennis Drills: 6 Types of Practice That Transfer
Not all practice is equal. This breakdown of six drill types — from static feeds to live-ball patterns — shows how to move from grooving technique to pressure-tested execution that actually shows up on match day.
Read articleReturn of Serve Drills for Handling Fast Serves
The return is the second-most-important shot in tennis and the least practiced. The key mental shift: stop trying to “hit” the ball and start “meeting” it with a compact, blocking motion — plus three progressive drills to tame a big server.
Read articleTennis 101: Perfecting the Volley
A volley is a controlled punch, not a swing. Learn the continental grip and the “squeeze and freeze” method — hold your finish — for clean, firm volleys instead of popping the ball up at the net.
Read articleCorrect Backhand Slice Technique (With Drills)
A penetrating slice comes from a downward stroke path through the ball, not from over-rotating your body. Three corrective drills groove the right swing so the ball stays low and skids instead of floating.
Read articleHow to Hit a Topspin Forehand — A Complete Guide
Why the modern forehand brushes low-to-high up the back of the ball, how much topspin you actually need to clear the net safely, and drills to groove the finish.
Read articleForehand Grip Guide: Eastern, Semi-Western & Western Explained
The semi-western is the tour's most popular grip for a reason — it blends power and spin. This guide shows exactly where to place your knuckle for each grip and when to use it.
Read articlePerfect Your Backhand Technique (with Serena Williams)
Stance, a fast shoulder turn, and dropping the racquet into an open stance for better knee drive and rotation — practical cues from one of the greatest backhands ever.
Read articleA Guide & Demo of the Tennis Serve Trophy Position
Both arms up, tossing arm extended, racket behind the head, knees bent and shoulders tilted — a brief pause in the trophy pose lets you load and explode instead of rushing.
Read articlePerfecting Your Serve Ball Toss — Tips & Drills
A consistent toss is the foundation of a reliable serve. Learn where to place it for first vs. second serve, plus a simple 20-rep target drill to build repeatability.
Read articleTennis Serve Technique — 7 Steps to a Correct Serve
A step-by-step feel-based progression from grip and stance through pronation, with an emphasis on a relaxed, whippy motion rather than muscling the ball.
Read articleHow to Improve Your Tennis Footwork
Your feet set up every shot. Ladder work for quickness, split steps, and recovery patterns that get you back to the center so you can actually execute your strategy.
Read articleSingles Strategy Tips to Win More Tennis Matches
Court positioning, recovering to the middle, and high-percentage patterns — tactical thinking that helps you win points without needing a bigger weapon.
Read articleArticles are published by their respective sources and link out directly. TennisEval curates but does not host this content.
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