The GTN Tennis Blog

Tiebreakers can be both confusing and intimidating. This guide is designed to provide you with answers and help increase your tie-break success rate.  Q: When is a tiebreaker played? A: A 7 point tie-break game is played when the set score is 6-6.  During a tie-break game, points are scored "Zero", "1", "2", "3", etc. ...

Don't let bad calls or scoring disputes ruin your fun on the tennis court. This article presents USTA guidelines and the unwritten rules of tennis that are designed to help you enjoy the game and encourage cooperation and courtesy during match play.  THE CODE The Player's Guide to Fair Play and the Unwritten Rules of Tennis...

"The drop shot is really effective tactically, because most players move really well laterally but many struggle moving forward."   Marc Lucero To be a truly great tennis player requires variety and a complete game. A powerful serve. Penetrating groundstrokes. Accurate volleys. Punishing overheads. Once your game is strong in these areas it ca...

Nowadays tennis is becoming increasingly more difficult to fit into our busy schedules. Matches, and especially multi-day tournaments, simply take too long to complete. But, don't despair because there is a solution to this problem and it's called Fast4 Tennis. Fast4 Tennis is a shortened format of tennis that was launched ...

Many people who play tennis, are unaware of the level they play at. Learn the differences in the playing levels with this simple chart.

1.0	This player is Just starting to play tennis.
1.5	Has limited experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play.
2.0	Needs on-court experience. Has obvious stroke weaknesses but is familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles play. 2.5 Learning to judge where the ball is going although court coverage is weak. Can sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability.
3.0	Fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth or power. Most common doubles formation is one-up and one-back.
3.5	Has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth and variety. Starting to exhibit more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage and is developing teamwork in doubles.
4.0	Has dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success. Occasionally forces errors when serving and teamwork in doubles is evident. Rallies may be lost due to impatience.
4.5	Starting to master the use of power and spins and beginning to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots and is beginning to vary game plan according to opponents. Can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. Tends to overhit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.
5.0	Has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or exceptional consistency around which a game may be structured. Can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys and overhead smashes and has good depth and spin on most second serves.
5.5	Has developed power and/or consistency as a major weapon. can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hit dependable shots in a stress situation.
6.0 to 7.0	Generally do not need NTRP ratings. Rankings or past rankings will speak for themselves. The 6.0 player has obtained a sectional and /or national ranking. The 6.5 player has extensive satellite tournament experience. The 7.0 player makes his living from tournament prize money.

Here is the first of a series of stringing videos.  This first video reviews racket mounting, preweaving and securing the first main string.  Please check it out and give me feedback.  I am working on improving these and would appreciate any comments.  Thanks and I hope this helps your stringing along.  Rackettec Stringing Video 1

With the popularity of tennis on a steady incline, many people just want to learn how to play tennis. Unlike many sports, tennis is a sport you can play your entire life. In every part of the country you can play in tennis leagues and tournaments year round. Tennis is a great way to meet people, get exercise and have a good time. The following steps are a good way to learn how to play tennis

A Tie Breaker is played when the score of a set is 6 games all. Without a Tie Breaker, a set may last much longer than desired.

A Tie Breaker is played when the score of a set is 6 games all. Without a Tie Breaker, a set may last much longer than desired.

During a tie-break game, points are scored “Zero”,“1”, “2”, “3”, etc. The first player/team to win seven points wins the "Game” and “Set”, provided there is a margin of two points over the opponent(s). If necessary, the tie-break game shall continue until this margin is achieved. The player whose turn it is to serve shall serve the first point of the tie-break game. The following two points shall be served by the opponent(s) (in doubles, the player of the opposing team due to serve next). After this, each player/team shall serve alternately for two consecutive points until the end of the tie-break game (in doubles, the rotation of service within each team shall continue in the same order as during that set).The player/team whose turn it was to serve first in the tie-break game shall be the receiver in the first game of the following set.