AboutJoe Rill Expertise Can answer questions related to coaching and playing tennis including stroke production, skill evaluation, group drills, player evaluation, planning and record keeping, mental toughness, first aid and minor health issues, social aspects of club tennis, tennis rules and regulations, and tennis courtesy. I no longer desire to answer questions on "How to become a Pro."
Experience Forty years total playing experience including: 25 years tournament play, three year tennis club tennis director; former racket stringer; Graduate Vandermeer Tennis Univ I; Virginia HS League certified coach; Asst Tournament Director
Expert: Joe Rill Date: 5/12/2008 Subject: height and talent
Question
I have two more questions for you?
Is height of the player plays any important role in playing tennis? or if the height is less say 5 feet and 5 inch , what are the chances of playing ITF
second question is , how much % will u give to talent in game of tennis?
Answer Hi Andy
Height plays an important role in tennis. In the serve, it gives your opponent an advantage because the ball is coming into your court at a steeper angle of impact (more like an overhead). In ground strokes it gives you an advantage in reach—especially at the net. There are many players who have been successful in spite of being short—Michael Chang comes to mind first. In general (but not always), shorter players have quicker reflexes and faster speed. Shorter players can develop higher endurance levels because they have less body weight to carry around on the court. Finally, the game of tennis today seems to be played from the back court with angles, spin, and power shots. So height is not so much of an advantage because players don’t come to the net as much as they used to in the old days.
I give talent only about 65%. Other things that contribute to success are mental toughness, desire, and the things that focus talent (practice, strategy, willingness to work hard, etc.).
