The tennis drill book-2e

Preface
Ten years have passed since the publication of the first edition of The Tennis
Drill Book. In that time I have grown a little older and wiser. Although my
knees may not like playing on hard courts anymore, my spirit still does. As
I readjust my tennis playing mentality toward my equipment, my on-court
mechanics, my physicality, and my teaching methods, one fact remains
constant: The fundamentals of the game are tested, tried, and eternally true.
I have witnessed tremendous changes in tennis, including the rules for
tennis players under 10; the size and shape of the equipment used to train
young players; the size, weight, and length of rackets for both juniors and
adults; and new ways of training the body and the mind. I have witnessed
serves and groundstrokes from male and female players at speeds in excess
of 155 miles per hour. Balls are hitting every square inch of available court.
When you think a point is over, don't blink; because of the current conditioning
of players, every shot comes back harder, sharper, and with more
spin than the definition of spin allows.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) estimates that 25 million
tennis players exist across 144 nations. Of these players, there are currently
1,814 registered ATP and 1,106 WTA registered professional players in the
world. So should modern tennis techniques and the mechanics associated
with the top pros be taught to junior or adult amateur and club tennis players?
I think the answer lies somewhere within each player's needs and ability
level. If you are a player with years of playing and lessons behind you and
with the willingness and the ability to change old habits, then the answer
is maybe. It depends on each individual player’s wants, ability level, financial
situation, and location. To become a world class tennis player who is
making a living at playing the game is hard, and may even take a miracle. If
you take the example of the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, they had all
of the cards stacked against them including locale, lack of equipment, and
the financial power to travel for tournaments, but they did it anyway. Even
if they hadn't become professional players, they could have easily gone to
college on a scholarship or become coaches for amateur or professional students.
Having a great foundation in tennis not only helps to solidify many
hours, days, and years of fun exercise, but can also lead to meeting wonderful
people, seeing beautiful places, and possibly lifelong job opportunities.
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