Coach: Good morning, Björn, Mats. Since the Stockholm Open is coming up, we need to sharpen your serve. A strong serve can help you win a quick point.
Björn: I’ve been practicing mine. But Mats has a strong return—he keeps hitting it deep near the baseline.
Mats: Thanks, Björn. But sometimes I mess up when the ball boy throws the ball too fast. I need more control.
Coach: No worries. That’s why we’re here. Let’s start with a rally to warm up.
Mats: I like a good rally. It helps me stay focused. But I still get nervous when the umpire is watching.
Umpire: Don’t worry, Mats. My job is just to keep the match fair. Stay inside the court, and avoid hitting the net.
Björn: I’ve been working on my volley at the net. It’s tricky, especially when I try to follow a strong forehand.
Coach: Use soft hands with a volley, and don’t swing like it’s a forehand. And remember, your backhand needs to be just as strong.
Mats: I had a great backhand yesterday. It helped me get a break in the first set.
Björn: Nice! I went to a tiebreak in my last match, but lost after three deuce points. Tough game!
Umpire: I saw that. You hit the line, but your opponent served an ace right after. It was close!
Coach: Let’s keep working hard. Pay attention to the line, stay calm during deuce, and listen to the umpire. That’s how we win in Sweden!
Mats: Thanks, coach! I feel ready for the tournament.
Björn: Me too. And thanks to the ball boy for helping out today!
- Do you prefer playing singles or doubles? Why?
- Have you ever watched a tennis match? What did you notice?
- What skills are most important to win a tennis game?