When it comes to tennis drill books, I’m of two minds. On the one hand, I believe everyone deserves access to a resource that helps them make the most of their practice time. A structured guide can be invaluable for players at any level, ensuring their training sessions are productive and focused. On the other hand, I feel that serious tennis players should intuitively know how to approach their practice sessions based on their strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Unfortunately, many don’t.
The book Professional Tennis Drills: 75 Drills to Perfect Your Strokes, Footwork, Conditioning, Court Movement, and Strategy by Lewis Brewster fills the void for players struggling to best structure their development in the sport. It defines the most basic tennis drills that all players should regularly perform. It is the kind of book experienced tennis players might riffle through and delude themselves into thinking they don’t need it. However, everyone can benefit from the information it provides.
This book is well organized into three main chapters, each addressing a developmental need in tennis. The first part consists of drills to reinforce proper stroke technique and consistency. Another chapter revolves around court movement and physical conditioning. The third culminates by defining drills that address situations that frequently arise in competitive match play.
Each drill in the book includes a court diagram and a detailed explanation of how it is performed. These are well-written and easy to follow. Additionally, while these drills are designed for a set number of people, it is easy to see how each can be adapted for various numbers of participants.
Professional Tennis Drills also includes a chapter on tennis practice games, which are drills performed with a scorekeeping mechanism that simulates the pressure situations that frequently arise during match play. It also contains information on designing and implementing your tennis drills custom-tailored to fit personalized training needs.
This book also emphasizes balancing drill execution with match play to maximize tennis performance. It advises players to work not only on their weaknesses but also on their strengths during their structured practice time.
Professional Tennis Drills: 75 Drills to Perfect Your Strokes, Footwork, Conditioning, Court Movement, and Strategy by Lewis Brewster is an essential resource for any tennis player looking to build a structured and effective practice routine. The book strikes a balance between offering foundational guidance for those who need it while also allowing for adaptation and customization to suit more advanced players.
This book serves as a reminder that all tennis players can benefit from a focused, deliberate training program. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to fine-tune your game, Brewster’s drills offer a tremendous foundation for developing a personalized program that maximizes every minute spent on the court.
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