Match Play – Hakbilir Academy Tennis Club

Twenty-Five Seconds: What Good Players Do Between Points

A player walking along the baseline with a racket and ball, casting a long shadow

Under the rules a player has 25 seconds between points, and the ball is in play for only a small part of any match. What the rules, the research on routines and the coaching guides say about using that time well.

The Second Serve Shows Who You Are Under Pressure

A server tossing the ball on a clay court in late light, seen from above

When the first serve misses, the second serve shows how a player handles pressure. Match data point less to choking than to caution: fewer double faults on big points, second serves that are too safe, and a clear case for practising the serve under pressure.

Reading the Toss

A player serving on a clay court, seen from high above

Professional returners say the toss is the first thing they watch. What research on anticipation says the toss can and cannot tell a returner, how much it varies even among professionals, and whether reading the serve can be trained.

The Slice Is Back

A tennis ball bouncing low on a clay court

Some of the best players in the world now slice more backhands than they did a few years ago. What the data say about how often the slice is used, where it wins and loses points, and what backspin really does to the ball.