Nat

We spent another entire day playing tennis yesterday, and I took two more lessons. I’ve now had more lessons this week than in the last 30 years combined, and it has made a huge difference.

Yesterday’s big revelation was how to change my backswing to keep my wrist and shoulders more relaxed. Putting that together with the previous lessons on footwork and ball striking helped me hit my forehands relaxed and confident for maybe the first time in my life. I know the virtue of being relaxed and confident–most of us do–, but it’s another thing to do it. For me tennis has often been a battle with my own frustration and high expectation.

Yesterday it was fun. I hit ball after ball back and pretty close to where I wanted them to go. But the best part was hitting the shot right on the sweet spot in the center of the racket. Not only do such shots feel great, but they produce an entirely different sound, kind of a resonant whump. Again and again I heard the sound. And for a brief period, I felt as if I had more than enough time to get ready to hit the ball.

There is nothing like a great teacher, who knows how to help you see yourself and believe you can be better. This week I had four of them! Remarkable fun.