Many players have and will continue to experience improper spacing when striking a tennis ball. I refer to this as Perfect Distance (PD). When players are too close to the ball, they look like they have dinosaur arms.
Imperfect distance occurs when there’s improper footwork; misjudging ball speed, height, and distance; slow reaction; less-than-stellar vision; and not displaying “Happy Feet.”
When you don’t have comfortable spacing or good timing, you won’t be able to have a relaxed swing. You’ll simply be muscling the ball back and won’t have sufficient power, control, and comfort. Most players tend to be too close rather than too far from the ball, striking when they don’t have PD.
An example of correct PD distance is when greeting someone and about to shake hands.
To adjust your PD, give yourself more room, about one foot. You should notice a difference in your ball striking, especially with increased easy power.
Take notice of baseball home run hitters or golfers teeing off. If they don’t have good PD and timing, they’re not showing good balance, timing, and PD. Players can’t send the ball far enough to achieve their distance, no matter how hard they try!
Both professionals (WTA/ATP) tend to average 70–80 mph of ball striking speed from both sides—backhands and forehands. These athletes are in their prime performance age, very conditioned, and fine-tuned, but without good footwork and PD, they’re unable to achieve great ball striking. It simply takes practice and mindfulness not to “Rehearse the Curse!”
About Kwong Young, Tennis Professional
Originally from Upstate New York, Kwong Young started teaching after he arrived in Tempe, Ariz., in 1987. He played #2 for Broome Community College in Binghamton, N.Y. Kwong and his wife Marji live in Sun Lakes (Cottonwood). Playing pool, a sport he practices daily on his pool table at home, is his hobby and escape from the tennis world. You can view some of Coach Kwong’s tennis skills on YouTube. Search for “Kwong Young Tennis.”