Well Played

Changing Ends in Tennis and Pickleball: Differences in Rules and Common Mistakes

Whether you’re playing tennis or pickleball, changing ends is a basic aspect of both sports. The intent of requiring players to change ends is to promote fairness by ensuring one player or team isn...

Tennis Ratings Myths: Everything you wanted to know about USTA ratings

Shout out to all USTA players! The important ‘spring season’ is probably underway in your area, which means competition is ON. Teams playing now can advance all the way to Nationals. As seasoned pa...

What is a Set in Tennis?

If you’re new to tennis, the terminology can seem overwhelming. One of the most fundamental aspects of scoring in tennis is understanding what a set is. Let’s break it down! Understanding the Basic...

Mastering the Game: Strategies to Improve Your USTA NTRP Rating

For tennis players aiming to improve your rating within the USTA’s National Tennis Ratings Program (NTRP), the journey requires dedication and commitment to continual improvement. Whether you’re a ...

Understanding the National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP): Tennis Player Ratings Explained

The National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) is a classification system used by the USTA to categorize tennis players according to their skill levels for determining the levels of competition. Whether...

Mastering Tennis Etiquette: Rules of Positioning, Movement, and Communication

While tennis is known for its physical and mental demands, understanding the etiquette and rules related to positioning, movement, and communication allows for the game to proceed smoothly. This ar...

Court is in Session: How to Discuss Rules During a Match

Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena Williams’ longtime tennis coach, once said that a tennis match is like a fight—it’s not meant to be enjoyable. Winning feels great, he added, but the process isn’t suppo...

Challenge Rules in Professional Tennis

Have you ever wondered what the challenge rules are when you’re watching a professional tennis match? While professional tennis matches have long utilized line judges and chair umpires, new technol...

When Is Coaching Allowed in Tennis?

Unlike many team sports where coaches design plays, call for substitutions, and motivate players to overcome hurdles, tennis players must navigate matches on their own. However, if a player does ha...

How to Set up a Round Robin in Tennis

Most tennis tournaments use single-elimination brackets, but if you and a group of tennis-playing friends want to set up a tournament that guarantees several matches per player, a round-robin forma...