Alright, let me tell you about my “Fourlis Tennis” session today. It was quite a workout, and I definitely felt it afterwards, but in a good way, you know?
Getting Started
So, I got to the court a bit early. The weather was just perfect, not too hot, a little breeze. First thing I always do is a proper warm-up. Can’t stress this enough. I started with some light jogging around the court, then some dynamic stretches – arm circles, leg swings, torso twists. Really get the blood flowing. I spent a good 15 minutes on this. Don’t want to pull anything, especially at my age, ha!
Then I grabbed my racquet and started with some mini-tennis. Just hitting the ball softly inside the service boxes with my buddy, Mark. We did this for about 10 minutes, just to get a feel for the ball and the strings. You know, waking up the hand-eye coordination.
The “Fourlis” Routine Kicks In
Okay, so what I call “Fourlis Tennis” isn’t some official thing, it’s just a routine I’ve been trying out. I named it that because I was trying to focus on four key things, and “Fourlis” just popped into my head one day. Sounds kind of catchy, right? Anyway, here’s how it went down:
1. Forehand Focus:
We moved back to the baseline. Mark was feeding me balls, and my goal was pure forehand consistency. Not trying to hit winners, just getting a deep, solid shot, crosscourt then down the line. I must have hit a hundred forehands. My arm started to feel it, but it’s about building that muscle memory. Some went long, a few found the net, but overall, I was pretty happy with how I was striking the ball. The key was to keep my feet moving and watch the ball all the way onto the strings.
2. Backhand Drill:
Next up, backhands. Same deal. Mark fed me balls, and I worked on my two-hander. Again, consistency over power. I tried to really focus on my shoulder turn and hitting through the ball. My backhand can be a bit iffy sometimes, so this is always a tough part for me. I made sure to mix in some slices too, just to keep things varied. It’s all about repetition, trying to iron out those little mistakes.
3. Serving Practice:
Then we moved onto serves. This is where I really try to put in the effort. I started with a basket of about 50 balls. My main goal today wasn’t blistering speed, but placement. Trying to hit the T, then out wide. I’d pick a spot and just aim for it. Some were good, some were… well, let’s just say the fence got a few new souvenirs. But I felt like I got a decent rhythm going after a while. I focused on my toss – that’s always the tricky part for me. If the toss is good, the rest usually follows.
4. Net Play and Volleys:
Finally, we did some net play. Mark was at the baseline hitting balls to me at the net. I worked on my forehand and backhand volleys, trying to punch them deep or drop them short for a bit of touch. This part is always fun but super tiring! Quick reactions are key. We also practiced some overheads. It’s amazing how a ball that looks like an easy put-away can end up flying out if you don’t concentrate.
Winding Down and Thoughts
After about an hour and a half of this “Fourlis” routine, I was pretty spent. We played a couple of casual points, just to put everything together, but mostly it was about the drilling today. Then, a proper cool-down. Some static stretches, holding each for about 30 seconds. So important to help the muscles recover.
Overall, it was a good session. The forehand felt solid, the serve had its moments, and the volleys were getting there. The backhand still needs work, but hey, that’s tennis for you – always something to improve. The main thing is I got out there, moved around, and hit a lot of balls. That’s what it’s all about, right? Feeling pretty good about it. Now, time for a big glass of water and maybe a nap!
