Tossing a tennis ball around is a recurring pre-match exercise seen in the Netflix docuseries “Break Point.” I have written about it so much previously that I have been skipping over new instances that aren’t significantly different from what has already been covered. Enter Iga Swiatek. During season 1, “Under Pressure,” Swiatek is seen preparing for a US Open match by juggling three balls against a wall. It is a tennis parlor trick that is also a very good way to prepare for a match.
Learning to juggle provides many benefits for tennis players. The precise timing, tracking, and physical act of catching the ball make it an excellent hand-eye coordination drill. Additionally, bouncing the balls off the wall moves the plane of motion to a similar trajectory as incoming shots.
This variation of juggling also works on reflexes, as the rebounds will vary, requiring fast responses. Focused concentration is required to keep all the balls in the air. That can translate into a calm and focused attitude on the court. Additionally, using juggling in a pre-match routine can distract from nervousness and stress.
Juggling is a fun and engaging warm-up exercise for tennis players and a refreshing change from typical warm-up routines. It can support and enhance a calm and focused mindset prior to competition. It also activates the muscles, ball tracking, and reflexes. There is no better time than the present to add juggling to your bag of tricks.
