Technique is (somewhat) overrated
When most players think about improving their game, they immediately obsess over technique. Elbow too low. Wrist in the wrong position. Awkward follow-through. I get it—I’ve been there too.
In fact, I recently found an old picture of my serve from college, and I could pick out at least three things that make me cringe:
– My racket face is open.
– My right leg steps across my left foot.
– My elbow is a little low.
And yet… I had one of the best serves in college tennis.
Would it have been better if I fixed those flaws? Sure. But the reason my serve was so effective wasn’t because it was perfect—it was because I had solid fundamentals. A consistent ball toss. Good pronation. I jumped up and into the court.
Too often, we chase technical perfection like it’s a beauty contest. But tennis rewards results, not aesthetics. If your technique is good enough to get the job done consistently—don’t mess with it.
So next time you’re watching slow-motion video of your strokes or comparing yourself to the pros, take a breath. Focus on the fundamentals that actually matter. Everything else? It’s style points.
Agree. If you’re already competing well at ‘your level’ there’s no need to change technique, but when you can no longer compete you have to look at ways to improve.
Trying to fix a losing tennis game by obsessing over technique feels like trying to fix poor sales by obsessing over marketing. The real problem shows up in competition, just like the real problem shows up when you are selling. (I think this metaphor makes sense lol!) You need to play matches first—compete, test yourself—because only then will you see what actually breaks down under pressure. Once you have experienced that, you can go back to technique with clarity, knowing exactly what deserves your attention.