The days are getting longer, the winter chill is finally lifting, and the local club courts are starting to book up fast. But if your racquets have been gathering dust in the cupboard since May, stepping straight into a competitive local comp or a heavy two-hour hitting session is a fast track to tennis elbow or a strained calf.
Returning to the court for spring requires a strategic approach to both your body and your match-play expectations. To help you shake off the winter rust safely, Tennis Coach, Chris has shared his expert advice for managing your fitness and mindset as you return to play.
Coach Chris's Guide to Shaking Off the Rust
Start Short & Build Tempo
To keep your body safe while rebuilding your touch, Chris highlights the importance of pacing your sessions and starting with mini-tennis:
“The key is finding a reliable hitting partner who can match your tempo and start slow. Before jumping straight to full-court baseline play, spend significant time in the short court with mini-tennis. Taking plenty of reps at lower speed builds timing, touch, and confidence without putting immediate stress on your body.”
Stay Active in a Controlled Footprint
Don't let the smaller court fool you into standing still. Chris emphasises keeping your footwork engaged and using split-court games to keep rallies under control while your conditioning catches up:
“Don't fall into the trap of standing still, keep your feet moving and actively engaged even at close range. Focus on spin and height over the net, feeling the ball make clean contact with your strings. Keep the initial part cooperative, and as you build rhythm, move into playing games to 11 while splitting the court down-the-line or cross-court. You don't want to be scrambling or chasing balls around out of control right away out of control right away. The goal of these games is dialing in your shots, footwork, and timing in a controlled footprint.”
Shift to High-Margin Tennis
It can be deeply frustrating when your shots don't feel as clean as they did before winter. To stay patient while your feel returns, Chris recommends widening your targets and letting spin do the work:
“Shift your focus toward higher-margin tennis. Aim for big targets, minimise errors in the net, and rely on heavy spin to keep the ball in play. A common mistake players make coming off a break is trying to hit hard and low. Instead, aim to drive the ball deeper by utilising net clearance and shot shape. Spin gives you control and safety while your timing catches up.”
Spin to Win on Your Serve
That same mindset carries directly into your service games. When your rhythm isn't fully dialed in, resist the urge to force flat, low-margin first serves. Relying on kick or slice gives you a much higher margin for error until your baseline confidence returns.
“When your rhythm isn't fully dialed in, resist the urge to go for flat, low-margin first serves. Rely on spin to give yourself a higher margin over the net until your confidence returns”.
Tips from the Pro Shop
Consider booking a lesson with our expert coaching panel to ensure you haven't developed any bad or injury-provoking habits during your layoff. To fine-tune your form and gear before the summer rush, pop into the pro shop to chat with Chris and the team!