Hey Tennis Freaks,

Stop Waiting for the Drop

Happy first Monday of 2026.

If you’re like us, you’ve probably spent the last week setting big goals for your game. However, before you attempt to reinvent your technique, we wanted to share two clips that have shifted our perspective on what "winning tennis" actually looks like right now.

Most of us were taught a classic fundamental: Wait for the ball to drop into your strike zone and swing low-to-high.

But as Emilio Sánchez explains in this clip, that's a recipe for losing ground. In today's game, with faster courts and faster play, if you wait for the ball to drop below your waist, you’re going to get punished.

The Modern Adjustment: You have to get comfortable striking the ball higher and earlier. Taking the ball at waist height feels "wrong" to old-school players, but it’s the only way to keep your court position and stay in control.

While the contact point is evolving, the strategy is still simple. Sometimes we over-coach ourselves into a corner, thinking we need 15 different patterns to win a set.

Maxime Tchoutakian (coach to Vicky Mboko) recently gave a masterclass in simplicity during a changeover. His advice?

That’s it. That’s the game. No "highlight reel" shots required. Just one point at a time and waiting for the right ball to hunt.

As you head out for your first hits of the year, try this: Stop trying to hit "perfect" shots. Just focus on your contact height and sticking to those three simple rules from Maxime.

The game gets a lot more fun when you stop fighting the physics of the ball and start using them.

See you on the court,

Cade & Chris

P.S. If your "high and loopy" balls are landing short because your strings are dead, it's time for a New Year refresh. Our partners are still hooked up with the MPTENNIS codes.

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