Return to my Tennis pages
Go to my home page
© Copyright 2000, Jim Loy
Swinging late seems to be a major problem among tennis players. What is the common sense fix for this? Get ready earlier. That involves getting sideways to the ball sooner, and backswinging earlier. It is all fairly complicated. It seems to work for a while, but then there it is again, you're swinging late again. I have a shortcut that works for me. Maybe it will work for you, too. Instead of working on the cause of your late swing, why not work on the result. Hit everything cross court. Hit your forehand toward the left side of your opponent's court (if you are right handed). Hit your backhand toward the right side of your opponent's court. Even if you are highly tempted to hit down the line, hit cross court. You cannot possibly hit late if you do that. And it takes less thought than working on all of the elements of your swing.
To me, Monica Seles has an ugly style. She always seems to be hitting late, or at least behind her. But she hits cross court, and with pace, doesn't she? So she can't be hitting late. There is just a little awkwardness in her style.
Anyway, try hitting cross court every shot. It may be the easy way to correct a late swing.