Luxury Tennis
By Sandra Eggers

Most of us will never compete at the pro level, but a serious tennis player can get the most from your game by recognizing Luxury Tennis and learning how to play Advanced Ready Tennis instead. It's simple really, and once you understand he basics, you can't help but raise the level of your game.

The concept of Luxury Tennis has been around for awhile, but was never really given a name until now. It seems to be broken down in accordance with NTRP ratings or playing level, though that's not how it was originally intended. Think of Luxury Tennis as a social game played by beginning players. The next step, Ready Tennis, is for intermediates. Advanced Ready Tennis, the final step, is more for advanced players.

Here are the definitions and characteristics of Luxury Tennis, and how to avoid it in your game.

Luxury Tennis
You've got a regular social doubles game with the guys (or ladies) and everything is good. This is Luxury Tennis at it's finest. None of the players on the court are particularly concerned about winning or improving their game. It's all about having fun and being with friends. Heck, it doesn't even matter if you hit a stupid shot on every game point.

Your stance at net is the same as it's always been, in the middle of the service box with racquet in hand. Not really trying to anticipate the return, just holding your ground in case a ball comes your way. If you make contact, that's great and if it goes over, that's even better. Your primary concern, however, is getting out of the way in case the ball actually does come to you. You could almost equate Luxury Tennis with Resort Tennis or Country Club Tennis, and is most popular with lower ranked players who aren't terribly serious about their game. This is not a recommended approach if you want to improve.

Ready Tennis
One big step for mankind, in terms of tennis. Ready Tennis is actually acceptable in most tennis circles, and is where you'll find the majority of players hovering with their game. Though you don't have to be "in the zone" to play Ready Tennis, it is not to be confused with Luxury Tennis in that you actually want to hit the ball. Beginners rarely play Ready Tennis, except for once in awhile when they have an "on" day, and advanced players can find themselves playing Ready Tennis on an "off" day. On the other hand, intermediate players are naturally good at Ready Tennis, and it has become their comfort zone.

In order to play Ready Tennis, you have to actually pay attention to where the ball is coming from and going to. Your stance has a purpose, and you are prepared to hit the ball if it comes to you. You don't necessarily anticipate your opponent's shots, but are ready for most anything they dish out. Ready Tennis is primarily for competitive players who like to win, but don't want to overexert themselves too much since it's only a game. Many players use Ready Tennis while improving transitioning their game from Luxury Tennis to Advanced Ready Tennis.

Advanced Ready Tennis
This is the ultimate place to be with your tennis game, and a place you'll almost always find higher ranked players. You will have to work really hard to get here, and even harder to stay, so if that's not something you can commit to then you should consider a move back to Ready Tennis. The reason most advanced players are at this level is because they're serious about their game and are always looking for a way to improve.

You are always anticipating your opponent's next shot, balanced on the balls of your feet with knees bent and ready to move in any direction. Your racquet is prepared before you run for a ball, and you are aware of everything going on around you but are able to focus and block it out. Winning a point means going after every ball and taking chances when it makes sense. If you lose, your opponent has beaten you. These are all playing attributes of Advanced Ready Tennis, and those required for you to succeed at this level.