Pro Tennis Techniques & Tips to Improve Your Game

This is part two of our hip-drive lesson. Here, we put the "45 and 8" rule into practice with a special drill that forces your body to rotate correctly. This exercise builds the muscle memory needed for fluid, powerful groundstrokes.

To get that powerful "phatka" on your forehand, you need to maintain distance from the ball. I teach players to use their non-dominant arm like a computer mouse cursor, pointing at the ball to ensure perfect spacing and a fully extended arm at contact.

A student asked me how to add more power to his shots. The answer is simple: throw your body weight into the ball. This video shows how we coach players to transfer their energy from the ground up, through their body, and into the shot for maximum impact.

As Roger Federer said, footwork is everything. Power in tennis comes from the ground up, which is why we focus on the "load and explode" principle. I show my players how to bend their knees and push off the ground to generate explosive power in their shots.

For a two-handed backhand, your non-dominant hand is key for power and control. It provides stability and helps guide the racket through the swing. Here, we work on drills that emphasize the role of the left hand for a right-handed player to build a solid, reliable backhand.

To hit a good smash, you need to be like an archer. I use this analogy to teach kids the proper form: non-dominant arm pointing up like a bow, eyes on the ball, and then extending fully to smash it at the highest point.

Here’s a drill to develop a flat, powerful first serve. By standing at the net and focusing on the "shoulder, elbow, wrist" sequence, players learn to generate that "phatka" or punch without a full follow-through, isolating the pronation movement for a stronger serve.

A consistent toss is the foundation of a great serve. I teach players to use two cues: their pocket for the starting point and their eye line for the release point. This simple method helps create a repeatable motion for both first and second serves.

A common question I get is about string tension. The right tension depends on your level. I recommend lower tension (45-52 lbs) for beginners for power and comfort, and higher tension (55-62 lbs) for advanced players who generate their own power and need more control.