If you are a somewhat experienced tennis player I’m sure you take into account the direction that the wind will move the ball from either end of the court, and then aim your shots in a manner that the wind assists in keeping the ball in the court rather than blowing it out.

I’m wondering if you put the same calculating skills to work when you decide which spin to impart to the ball with your swing path and racket face angle.

Yes folks, I said when you decide which spin to impart. Skillful players understand that the spin on the ball acts just like a full blown gale and that spin imparted inadvertently has the same effect on the ball as a sudden random gust of wind.

The best aimed shot can be blown by the wind or curved by the spin many inches and sometimes even a foot or more astray from its intended target.

We have no control over the random sudden gust but we should have a firm grasp of the mechanics necessary to produce the spin on the ball that is necessary to channel it safely toward the intended target area.

Advanced players combine the use of spin and the understanding how to actually utilize the wind as a tool to defeat the less skillful or experienced player.

Please understand I’m not suggesting you spend time practicing nutty side spin trick shots and hit every ball with heavy spin, but develop a working knowledge of how spin makes the ball behave then acquire the skills to use that knowledge in a tactical frame work to improve your consistency.

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