How to prepare for your next tennis match
Got a match coming up in your Barclays Local Tennis League or an LTA competition, and wondering how you should prepare? We’ve got you covered.
LTA expert coach Matt Smith shares his four keys to the best match preparation.
Get your tennis bag ready
Having a bag to take all your equipment with you on court is really important.
Aside from having your racket and some tennis balls, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got plenty of fluids with you, something to eat for energy like a banana and then maybe a towel and/or a change of clothes for those particularly hot days on court.
Getting all that prepped well in advance and then not having to think about it when you’re out playing and will help you throughout the duration of the match.
Mobilise the body
You don’t want to go into a match cold.
When you watch on TV you probably see them hit for five minutes and then go straight in – but actually, behind the scenes, those players will have been warming up and stretching for hours beforehand.
The warm-up starts well before getting on court. Make sure to have a mix of dynamic stretches as well like lunges, cross-overs, squats, etc. to mobilise the body by practicing the movements you will be making on court. Ideally getting a time to also warm up your shots.
Nutrition
First thing you need to do on the day of a match is make sure you have a good breakfast and take on lots of fluids well before you start playing to make sure you have the energy and fuel.
Depending on how far back you want to go – something like porridge or fresh fruit on the morning of the match is great, or even the night before you want to eat more carbohydrates like pasta for that slow release of energy.
Make sure to take on lots of water as well, or electrolyte drinks to make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day of your match and snacks to refuel and top-up through the games.
Get there early
It may sound like an obvious one, but arriving at the venue early can give you a huge advantage, especially if it’s not somewhere you’re used to playing.
Arriving early gives you time to get used to your surroundings, gives you a chance to focus a bit more on your game mentally and you may have additional opportunities to get a hit in with other players and enjoy a full warm-up as well.