How to Conquer the Fear of Double Faults
by: Dave Winship @ On The Line

There's a well-known tennis truism - you'll certainly have heard it - about being "only as good as your second serve". The thing is - no one can deny it. It's a significant factor in matches at all levels.

But we hardly ever practice them! That's true, isn't it? When we warm up serves before a match, are they first serves or second serves? Yep, let's be honest - they're first serves!

The only way to tackle those second serve gremlins is to confront them face-to-face. Find a like-minded practice partner and agree to play a set where you only have one serve (so imagine each time you serve that you've already missed your first serve).

Ultimately, you probably need two types of second serve - a slice serve and a topspin one. And you must develop the control to serve into either half of the service box with both types of spin. Remember to accelerate the racket in both cases. Nerves often lead to players decelerating the racket to reduce the risk of an error. But if you’re trying to apply spin, racket head speed is really important.

If you practice "one-serve tennis" on a regular basis, you'll eventually conquer the fear of double faults.

Regards.

Dave Winship