Okay, so, I wanted to get into tennis, and I really wanted to see how the pros do it, especially this one player, Iga Swiatek. She’s been killing it lately, so I figured, why not try to see what makes her so good? I’m no tennis expert, but I like a good challenge.

First thing I did was watch a bunch of her matches. She’s been on fire this season, leading her team, Poland, to the United Cup finals. I saw this match where she went up against Norway, and man, she just dominated! It was like watching a masterclass.
I started with the basics. From what I saw, she won the first nine points in one of her matches and it’s all easy from there. I grabbed my racket, headed to the court, and tried to mimic her serves and returns. It was a lot harder than it looked! Her forehand, especially, is something else. This one pro, Greg Rusedski, he called it her “western grip,” which helps her get those crazy angles. I tried to copy it, but my shots were all over the place. Guess it takes more than just watching to get that down.
Then I dug a little deeper into her style. She’s got this solid backhand, great defense, and her return game is insane. I tried working on my defense, running back and forth, trying to return every ball. Let me tell you, I was wiped out after just a few minutes. These pros are on a whole other level with their stamina.
- Forehand practice: I spent hours trying to get that spin and angle she has. I watched some videos where they talked about her grip and how she hits the ball. It was tough, but I started to see some improvement. Not quite Swiatek level, but hey, I was getting there.
- Backhand drills: Her backhand is so reliable, so I did drills to try and make mine more consistent. It’s all about the footwork and getting the racket in the right position. I felt like I was getting a bit better, but it’s a long way to go.
- Defense and stamina: This was the hardest part. I ran and ran, trying to keep up with the pace she sets in her matches. I could barely last a set without feeling like I was going to collapse. It really showed me how much fitness is required to play at that level.
I also found out she’s from Warsaw, born in 2001, and her dad was an Olympic rower. Pretty cool, right? She’s already won five Grand Slam titles, including four French Opens. That’s just incredible.
So, after all this, did I become a tennis pro? Nope, not even close. But did I gain a new appreciation for the sport and for what Swiatek does? Absolutely. It’s one thing to watch these players on TV, but it’s a whole different story when you try to do what they do. I’ve got a long way to go, but it’s been a fun and eye-opening experience. If anything, I’ve got a newfound respect for the hard work and dedication these athletes put in every day. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to hit a forehand like Swiatek. A guy can dream, right?
