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Road to University Tennis

Posted March 21, 2026 · 3 min read

Updated March 31, 2026

Running notes on my tennis journey

I've played tennis for over 10 years, but have never received coaching or taken the game seriously. Starting at 20 years old, in my junior year at the University of Waterloo, my goal is to try out for Waterloo's varsity tennis team.

This page is dedicated to tracking my tennis progress through shot and match analysis.

Gear:

  • Head Speed MP, 2024
  • Hyper G strings
  • Asics Court FF3
  • iPhone 17 for recording

Update: April 7, 2026

Lessons w/Matt

Forehand

  • Keep swing concise -> start racket lower, especially for low/fast balls

Backhand

  • Loose hands until contact
  • Don't fall backwards; be steady
  • Follow through by stepping forwards with left foot after contact

Serves

  • Toss 1 o'clock and pronate
  • Contact high

Update: March 31, 2026

Lessons w/Matt

Forehand

  • Don't bring racket too far back
  • Drop racket vertically
  • Hit through the ball (less brush)
  • Proper footwork to complete motion (i.e. pivot right foot forwards, left foot backwards, or shuffle)

Approach shot

  • Try to run around to forehand on most approach shots
  • Keep running through the shot rather than pausing/stopping before hitting
  • Don't brush too much; keep hitting through

Volleys

  • First step is a pivot; focus on bringing body and racket to proper side
  • Load on the pivot foot, then hit and land on other foot
  • Keep racket in view at all times
  • Keep takeback and follow through concise

Update: March 29, 2026

Forehand Analysis

What I noticed

  • Good footwork, stepping into the ball
  • Decent arm extension, I like playing with a slightly bent elbow
  • Good swing path; elbow starts close to body and swings forwards and to the right

Problems

  • I'm bringing my arm too far back, its more than 180 degrees to my body
  • My racket drop is at a 45 degree angle rather than straight down <- will ask coach about this
  • Bringing the racket to the left too early

Focus for next session

  • Keep arm within 180 degrees
  • Racket drop straight down
  • Hit through the ball, as if hitting 3 balls infront

Update: March 21, 2026

Doubles Tennis Tournament, University of Waterloo

Image

Finalists! I broke my strings the day before, and injured my shoulder serving, so this was a great result. Michael carried.

Tennis