How to play tennis: 3 tips from Rafael Nadal’s buddy
Play tennis like a pro! Here are some ways to ace the game, set and match by Álvaro Morcillo Calderón
Text: Lewee Hoi Han
Ranked as one of the most popular sports globally, tennis has been played professionally and recreationally by many for its multiple health benefits, not to mention the cool tennis outfits and link to strawberries and cream (the Wimbledon tournament manages to get through more than 23 tonnes of strawberries and 7,000 litres of cream every year).
“Tennis takes care of everything. It requires agility and quickness to get to the ball, core strength to get power into your shorts and stamina to last for an entire match. In addition to toning your arms and shoulders, it's a total body workout for your legs and abs, and works your heart and core unlike any other sport,” says Samantha Jane Stosur, Australian professional tennis player and former no. 1 in doubles.
Unlike HIIT, which spikes your heart rate, the beauty of tennis lies in its flexibility, making it a sport suitable for life long play. And whether you’re playing at 20 or 70 years-old, and apart from the physical benefits associated with exercising, such as better heart health, lower body-fat percentage, and enhanced aerobic fitness, playing tennis regularly can also improve your mental health. Since you can’t lobby a ball back and forth without a partner, the social interaction you get on court has proven to reduce stress and boost mood levels.
We spoke to top Singapore tennis coach and Rafael Nadal’s friend, Álvaro Morcillo Calderón, for three tips on how to play tennis like a pro.
Hold the tennis racket in a proper position
There are many ways to hold a tennis racket. Álvaro proposes the more modern way of holding it — linearly with an east-facing grip.
If you’re a beginner, he suggests positioning your body sideways with your right leg forward when anticipating a hit. However, this depends on how the ball comes at you as well. You could choose to take either an open, semi-open or sideways stance, so shift yourself accordingly.
Follow through and finish the hit
Now that you’ve got the right way of holding a tennis racket down, take your racket back with the head of the racket facing up. Then, follow through the hit with your arm straightened.
Once you have swung the racket all the way through, Álvaro says, “You can always finish more linear, or you can also finish more like Rafael Nadal, all the way up with the elbow by the side of your head.”
However, he cautions that this depends on the trajectory of the ball, the time, and the adjustment of your footwork as well.
Agility is key
Agility of the legs is very important. While a good position is vital to making a clean and nice hit, maintaining the right form while getting to that position is similarly critical.
“The key to doing so is to move your feet super-fast, adjusting them in the best way possible before hitting the tennis ball.’ Álvaro says that you can do so with small steps in a linear direction or sideways.
About Alvaro Morcillo Calderon
Álvaro Morcillo Calderón is the Co-Founder of Club La Amistad alongside his father Juan Carlos Morcillo. Having competed in his hometown’s tennis tournaments since the age of 8, Álvaro’s flair for the sport brought him to Spain’s national stage. Álvaro kickstarted his professional tennis coaching career in 2012 and has since accumulated a reputable clientele. His latest pro-coaching experience carried him to Singapore in May 2019, where he continued growing his reputation and tennis network to the present day, developing what is now known as AMC Tennis International.
