Whether you are just getting started with tennis lessons or have been rallying and hitting aces for years now, there's always room for improvement.
The best tennis players are those who are willing to work on their game and master the essential fundamentals, and it doesn't get any more essential than the forehand.
If you are looking to really master the forehand, then it is worth investing in professional tennis coaching, as there is nothing better than having an expert around to guide you and evaluate your form.
However there are a few basic forehand tips and tricks that you might want to integrate into your game, in order to give you that killer edge the next time you go down to the tennis club.
It's all in the footwork
It's impossible to hit a good tennis forehand without a solid base, and getting into the right position nice and early is an essential part of scoring points and winning sets.
Whenever the ball is in play you need to be watching to predict what your opponent will do next. Understand the flight path of the ball and stay mobile on the court, that way you can be sure you will be ready to play your next shot when the time comes.
Keep your eye on the ball
As with all ball sports, tennis is all about hand-eye co-ordination and staying focussed at all times. You will want to watch the ball off your opponent's racket and over the net, for as long as possible until it hits your own racket.
There are a few good ways to encourage this sort of behaviour, and it will all come down to individual preference.
Some cricket players have been known to literally say to themselves 'watch the ball' as they set up for their next delivery. Perhaps you might like to try this on the court yourself?
Follow through
Just because you have connected with the ball doesn't mean the job is done yet. It's important to follow through with your racket, extending out with the motion of the shot and bringing your racket across your body or over your shoulder.
This is good practice because it helps maintain power through the shot and keeps the ball on the right path over the net, while ensuring you stay fluid and mobile so that you can position yourself for the next passage of play.