Federer is often mentioned as the best watcher of the ball onto the racquet in tennis. But you can’t be a good tennis player without watching the ball well – lots of other players do it well too.

Watching the ball is such an essential fundamental, but it is not really practiced. Normally the coach just says “Watch the ball!”

The simplest way to trick yourself into watching the ball is Timothy Gallwey’s bounce hit exercise. It’s super simple and it works really well. All you have to do is say “bounce” when the ball hits the ground, and say “hit” when your racquet hits the ball. You’ll probably notice your timing is a little off when you first start this exercise, but after a while you’ll notice more balls go in as your timing improves.

Here’s a super slow motion video of Almagro and his lovely one handed backhand from the 2010 French Open Quarter Final against Rafael Nadal. Straight arm at contact out in front of the body, and watching that ball all the way onto the racquet

Check out my 15 milliseconds of fame in the paper…I’m in the top left.

Autographed copies available for (Dr Evil voice) one meeelllion dollars….

Local Tennis News - Yulee Fernandina

Tennis String News – I’ve been testing the Unique Big Hitter poly strings.

They’ve got rave reviews as being as good as or better than Luxilon, which is the most popular poly with the professionals.

I’ve got to agree! They’re great. Lots of pop, tons of spin, and good feel too. They’re not as hard as the Babolat Revenge and Hurricane Pro and most other stiff polys, which is good news for the shoulder and elbow.

Let me know if you want to give them a try.

“Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness”. Your thoughts create your experience. Think “Tennis = health”

Whatever you think of the shot coming at you…you’re right! “Oh oh!”, “Difficult!”. Don’t judge, just observe and respond.

Exercise: When do you take your eye off the ball? Most amateur athletes blank out or blink when contacting the ball. Pros don’t. Do you?

#1 secret to life and tennis: Be here, now. Be present. Here, now. Not then and there. Be here and now. Try it. You might be surprised.

USTA Futures pro tournament at the Plantation – free entry for the first week. I’m definitely going! http://bit.ly/cnh4k

You’re playing against the ball, not your “opponent”.

Friday doubles clinic 6pm Amelia National. Learn why you serve down the middle, slam the ball at the net man and approach cross court.

Pressure is imaginary. There are no big points. There is only the ball. This ball, here, now.