📖 Story of the Week
So, with the goal of leveling up my backhand, I hit the court and began to engage in purposeful practice.
I analyzed my technique and compared it to that of the top tennis professionals in the world.
I had conversations with my peers and fellow tennis professionals who were skilled in using and teaching the backhand.
I spent hours on court drilling, rebuilding, and refining the shot.
Days, weeks, and months went by as I maintained my focus and effort. Without question, I was improving this specific aspect of my game.
Then, on one beautiful summer day—new confidence in hand—I decided to put my progress to the test against my highly accomplished younger brother Mikey, a three-year captain and standout player for the University of Minnesota Division 1 men's tennis team.
The Match
After warming up, we started to compete in a few baseline games. I was eager to show off my new backhand.
But things didn’t start quite as smoothly as I’d hoped.
My dependable forehand was working as always, but my backhand struggled. The same old problems seemed to resurface.
My shots lacked pace and direction, and frustration started to set in.
The more frustrated I became, the harder I tried to force the backhand—only to see it continue to falter.
Determined to “fix” it, I lost sight of my competitive goals and started hitting backhands from the deuce side—bypassing my much stronger forehand in the process.
This went on for some time until my brother, noticing the growing frustration and odd shot choices, stopped mid-game and walked to the net.
He asked, “Why are you playing so strangely and avoiding your forehand?”
I answered, “Because I want to make my backhand better—so I can become a stronger player and win matches like these.”
“Would you ever skip over your forehand to use a backhand from the deuce side in a real match?” he asked.
“No,” I said.
“Then why are you doing it now?” he replied. “Your forehand is the fastest groundstroke on the court right now. Wouldn’t it make more sense to use your strength as much as possible instead of obsessing over your weakness?”
(There’s a reason my brother is a tenured professor at the University of Hawai’i.)
With those simple words, a light bulb went off in my head.
We resumed play, and I proceeded to play some of the best tennis I had in recent memory.
Rather than focusing on my weaker backhand, I flipped the script and leaned into my forehand whenever possible.
And it was a joy.
I ran as hard as I could to find that shot and put everything I had into it. I created angles, hit winners, and found new, creative ways to use the shot in my tactical decision-making process.
And along the way, I even hit a few nice backhands too.
Without the pressure of hitting the “perfect” backhand, it felt like a weight had been lifted. I was free to play the game how I wanted—and how it was meant to be played.
That’s When I Knew...
Rather than focusing on your weaknesses, it makes far more sense to place your primary emphasis on building your strengths.
We all have our own unique ways of approaching the game. Lean into those tendencies.
Build them up as much as possible.
In my case, focusing on the forehand brought clarity to how I was actually winning points.
It gave me a clear path to compete at a much higher level.
Now, I’m not suggesting a strategy of avoidance—ignoring obvious areas of improvement or pretending your weaknesses don’t exist.
But I am promoting the idea that your strengths should come first.
Very few people put serious attention into taking one aspect of their game and making it truly spectacular.
If you already do something well, take pride in it—and ask if there’s a way to use it even more.
That shot you love? It’s your superpower. So use it.
Rather than obsessing over the “kryptonite” of my backhand, focusing on my forehand allowed me to play in a truly super way on court.
Your Turn
Rather than overanalyzing your weaknesses, find your tennis superpower—and use it!
Start with these questions:
- How do I win my tennis points?
- What shot do I hit the most winners with?
- On match point, what shot do I want to be hitting?
Once you’ve identified your superpower, ask yourself, "Am I using this shot as much as possible in match play?"
If not, consider:
- What are 1 or 2 patterns of play that I use to win points? Do these align with my superpower?
- Is there a physical skill (like footwork or conditioning) that would help me use this shot more often?
- Is there a mental skill (like anticipation or situational awareness) that could improve my ability to use it?
If you are already focusing on your superpower—great!
You can still ask:
- How can I make this good thing even better?
- Could I hit the shot with more spin, pace, shape, or control?
- Could I find a way to use it even more frequently?
Focus on making your strengths even stronger—and watch your game take off. 🎾
