Tony Lee's Professional Tennis School

The Ten Commandments of Tennis

Thou shalt serve 70% of thy first serves in.
Thou shalt keep the ball in play.
Thou shalt make thy opponent run to the ball.
Thou shalt not try to hit the lines.
Thou shalt hit to thy opponents weakness.
Thou shalt move in and attack weak second serves.
Thou shalt drop-shot opponents who can't run or volley, and lob those who cannot hit overheads.
Thou shalt maintain a positive attitude and never give up.
Thou shalt rehearse the correct way to hit the ball if thou maketh mistakes.
Thou shalt make no excuses no matter how badly thou play, how windy it is, nor if thou hath a bad hair day.

Thou shalt serve at 3/4 speed on thy first serves.
Thou shalt not double fault.
Thou shalt serve down the middle to cut off thy opponent's angle.
Thou shalt return low and crosscourt.
Thou shalt not miss returns, wide or in the net.
Thou shalt move in and attack weak second serves.
Thou shalt poach at least once a set.
Thou shalt encourage thy partner.
Thou shalt not glare, roll thine eyes, nor turn away from thy partner.
Thou shalt praise thy partner after the match and not covet another partner, no matter how badly thy partner performs.

Thou shalt stretch before and after practice or competition.
Thou shalt use proper mechanics when hitting the ball so as to not stress thy body.
Thou shalt wear specialized athletic shoes for support and stability; thy wheels (feet) are thy transportation.
Thou shalt stay relaxed and confident. Do not cause undue stress to thy body by being tense or anxious.
Thou shalt ice parts of thy body that feel sore immediately after practice or competition.
Thou shalt drink plenty of fluids before and during competition.
Thou shalt eat a well-balanced meal with an emphasis on carbohydrates before competition.
Thou shalt keep physically fit by cross-training (lifting weights, running, doing aerobics, biking, and swimming).
Thou shalt use tennis equipment that is suited to your game and playing style (i.e., big or loopy swings use more flexible racquets and shorter strokes use stiffer racquets).
Honor these commandments and your tennis playing days will be plenty.

Thou shalt obtain a racquet that fits your style of play.
Thou shalt purchase a racquet that fits your hand properly.
Thou shalt string thy racquet at the proper tension for thy style of play.
Thou shalt restring thy racquet regularly.
Thou shalt use approved tournament tennis balls only and discard dead balls.
Thou shalt wear loose-fitting and light-colored clothing in hot and humid climates.
Thou shalt wear layers of clothing in cool or cold climates, and shed layers only as needed.
Thou shalt purchase shoes that are properly fitted for support and stability.
Thou shalt wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen on hot and sunny days.
Thou shalt return thy racquet at the end of play to its proper case.

Thou shalt maintain a balanced diet.
Thou shalt drink plenty of water and fluids.
Thou shalt not consume high quantities of junk food.
Thou shalt consume foods high in carbohydrates before matches and tournaments.
Thou shalt eat two or three hours before competition.
Thou shalt seek professional advice concerning weight, body composition, nutrition, and aerobic and strength training guidelines appropriate for your physical make-up.
Thou shalt emphasize body composition rather than weight as a guide to a healthy body.
Thou shalt stretch daily, and before and after matches.
Thou shalt perform exercises to increase strength and flexibility that is specifically needed for tennis.
Thou shalt regularly perform aerobic workouts to increase stamina and enjoy a long and healthy tennis life.

Thou shalt know the "Rules of Tennis" and the "Code".
Thou shalt be organized.
Thou shalt discuss major decisions to be made with team members.
Thou shalt set a good example of sportsmanship for thy team members.
Thou shalt have weekly discussions with each player on thy team.
Thou shalt create an atmosphere of team unity and spirit.
Thou shalt praise thy players, whether in victory or defeat.
Thou shalt not coach; leave that to the team's professional.
Thou shalt not criticize team members in front of teammates, but shall save criticisms for private discussion.
Thou shalt not covet other team members.

Thou shalt know the "Rules of Tennis" and the "Code".
Thou shalt not enter a court when play is in progress on adjacent courts.
Thou shalt congratulate thy opponents when they hit good shots.
Thou shalt always announce the score.
Thou shalt always begin a point with two balls if thou art serving.
Thou shalt always wait to serve until thy opponent is ready to return.
Thou shalt not ask for balls that have strayed to adjacent courts when play is in progress.
Thou shalt call all shots in, unless the shot is clearly out.
Thou shalt not shout across adjacent courts for any reason.
Thou shalt do unto thy opponent as thou wouldst want thy opponent to do unto thee.

Thou shalt evaluate thy performance, and set specific and achievable goals.
Thou shalt approach all situations with a positive attitude.
Thou shalt enjoy and welcome challenges.
Thou shalt not worry or fret about any situation.
Thou shalt concentrate fully on the game and visualize a successful performance.
Thou shalt speak to thyself positively, or not at all.
Thou shalt maintain a balanced diet, with an emphasis on carbohydrates, for peak mental and physical conditioning.
Thou shalt practice relaxation techniques to stay calm in stressful situations.
Thou shalt strive to achieve a high level of fitness; a trained body is a trained mind.
Thou shalt have fun and enjoy the journey along the road to mental toughness.