Once upon a time, tennis instruction was a fairly straightforward process. You showed up at a court, were fed balls, and someone told you how to move, swing and compete proficiently. But while the private lesson remains an instructional fundamental building block, the way learning happens has changed dramatically.
Technology has always had a major impact on how people learn to play tennis. Back in the 1980s, Vic Braden and John Yandell were pioneers, among the first teaching pros to extensively deploy videotape technology to provide detailed feedback on various stroke techniques. Two decades later, instructors such as Pete Freeman, Brent Abel, Will Hamilton, Ian Westerman, Jeff Salzenstein and Gigi Fernandez began to tap into the power of the Internet as a way to connect with students on everything from stroke production techniques to point construction and psychology.
More recently, the growth of smartphones has greatly accelerated the use of technology. Put your phone at the back of your court and record not just your strokes, but an entire match. Send the file to an instructor thousands of miles from your house and get feedback on ball speed, depth and technique. Webinars and Zoom calls have been particularly useful for tennis players during the pandemic.
“It’s an exciting time of change and innovation,” says John Embree, CEO and Executive Director of the USPTA. “The new player doesn’t know what the norm is for a lesson, so it’s a whiteboard. How much do you use video? Do you teach what tour players are doing? Or do you compare the new player to other students? You are now able to practice at home in ways you might not have before. Pros who are technology-driven are adapting.”
And yet, for all the technology tools available to both instructors and players, what remains most important is the connection between teacher and student. Consider how hard it is to grasp the nuances of various spins; what to do when serving under pressure; or how to choose a backhand grip. These and so many other techniques require extensive, detailed instruction, and a strong relationship—but the right technology can help there, too. With insights only a click away, students can now pick and choose among their gurus.
