By Eli Buenaventura
For Variety

ONE reason some players are steadily on top of their tennis game or continuously distinguish themselves from others is due to the constant upgrading of their skills. If their skills need refurbishing, they are not adamant to do so. Another reason is their positive perspective towards the game. If you want to become one of them, here are 10 pointers to help you fit in.
1.Think tennis as a dynamic sport. Always think that tennis is a dynamic game. What may be a sell out technique today may not be the fashion tomorrow. If you want to keep up with changes, you should know how to adjust your game in the light of the latest development. For instance, a closed stand was the best tip to hit a solid forehand and backhand shot years ago. Also at one time, the continental grip was popular for both the forehand and backhand shots. Present-day players use open stand and a western grip to hit a powerful inside out forehand.
2) Adjust your steps. Unlike some sports such as running, cycling and bowling where movement is almost singular, tennis is a game of various steps. You just can’t stay in one corner of the court and hit your return shot there all day long. You have to continuously move your feet – backward, forward, side step, split step – in short and quick outbursts. You should not only hone your groundstrokes, you should also work on your footwork.
3) Be mentally fit as well. While stamina and physical workouts are vital to a successful match, the mental side of the players is no less significant. You have to use your mind in the game. One example of putting your mind at work in a match is to go back to the basics when all plans fail. Going back to the basic means hitting the ball left and right. Another example of mental strategy is to hit a spinning serve when your opponent is blasting your flat serve.
4) Aspire to become a dimensional player. Advanced players hit different shots to be on top. To be like them, you should be dimensional too. You should know how to slice the ball, volley, topspin lob, and hit a drop shot. For your service game, the fast serve is second to none. But if you can place your serve, it is perfect as well. Just watch Roger Federer and see how multi-dimensional his game is. He can serve and volley, play you on the baseline, ace you out or handle deep and short balls with such efficiency. Tennis great Rod Laver one time commented, “It is unfair that Roger can do all of these.”
5. Give yourself a break. Like any undertaking we do on a long-term basis, we need a break. In tennis, you need to free you mind from the shackles of the game for a while. You can organize your break plan. Top players play exhibition matches for a good cause to get a break from tennis. Some spend their time traveling with their families while others play golf or go fishing.
6. Continue to re-invent your game. Top players never stop improving their repertoire of strokes. They are actually the inventors of strokes. Tennis teachers only analyze them and later on include these in their curriculum. The advice “Play like a pro” is not a good tip for nothing. Keep watching them play. You may find some techniques that are relatively new to you. Give them a try. They may fit into your over all game.
7. See a tennis doctor for checkup. Advanced players visit their coaches periodically. You should also see one. You may not notice it, but you may be developing a bad habit on your backhand that needs to be rectified right away. Good players also visit a mental guru for the mental side of their game. If you can afford, do the same thing. Who knows? Your problem may be in your mind and not on your game.
8. Face the competition squarely. Top tennis players love competition because that is where they get their grades. You should also do the same. The more you compete, the better your will understand your game. The more your game is exposed, the more you will realize that there is still more room for improvement. Have you ever tried taking notes on how you lost a certain match? Try one next time.
9. Believe in modern technology. In an experimental outing, Australian Davis Cupper, Mark Philippossis used a wooden and a graphite racket to hit first serves. Interestingly, it registered the same ball speed. While the result is the same, it does not mean the two rackets are the same. Wood racket does not hold string tension for long. Besides, it loses strength overtime. Go for the latest tennis racket in town. The good news about racket technology is that they make rackets that meet individual requirements.
10. Trust your yourself. Successful players don’t play their game half-hearted. They put their body and soul in it. You can do the same thing. Prepare and play your best for the event. Always play for the gold. Remember it is not always the stronger and faster player who wins, but the one who thinks he can.