Jake Rowland 
For a few weeks each summer, the United Kingdom becomes one of the busiest places on the tennis calendar. Wimbledon draws the biggest crowds, but it is only one part of the story: nearby grass-court events give fans a chance to see top players in smaller settings, while Challenger and lower-tier tournaments offer a closer … Read more
For much of tennis history, the Middle East was a stop on the tour rather than one of its centers of gravity. That changed quickly in the 1990s, when Doha and Dubai built tournaments that attracted leading players, reliable winter crowds and, eventually, some of the sport’s biggest championships. Their rise explains why the region … Read more
If you play league matches, hit several times a week, or string for teammates, waiting days for a restring can be more frustrating than a bad set of strings. A home machine can save trips to the shop and let you control when your racquet is ready—but the right choice depends less on flashy features … Read more
A strong serve can still leave you scrambling if the return comes straight back at your feet. The point is not over, though: the shot you play next may matter more than the serve itself. In singles, planning that first groundstroke—the “plus one”—turns a serve into a pattern rather than a hopeful attempt at an … Read more
A wide ball can turn a comfortable rally into a scramble, but the shot itself is only half the problem. If you stay planted after contact, the next ball often finds the space you just left. Good recovery starts before you hit: read the situation, keep your balance, and move toward the most useful position … Read more
Being broken can make a set feel as if it is slipping away, but it does not give your opponent a special chance to run out the clock—or leave you with a special timeout to regroup. In singles, the rules after a break of serve are the same as after any other game. Knowing exactly … Read more
A down-the-line shot can turn a rally around—or hand your opponent an easy winner. The difference is often not how hard you hit it, but whether the ball, your position, and the moment are right for changing direction. In singles, hitting down the line means sending the ball roughly parallel to a sideline, toward the … Read more
A player can be one point from taking a set and still spend several minutes—or several games—trying to finish it. The rules are straightforward once you know what counts as “set point,” but the score, serving order and tournament format can all change what happens next. What does it mean to close out a set? … Read more
A player can be one point from victory and still spend several minutes—or several games—trying to finish the job. To understand when a match is actually over, it helps to separate the pressure of a match point from the rules that decide it. In singles, there is no special “closing” procedure. The usual scoring rules … Read more
A shoe can feel quick in a straight line and still let you down when you plant hard and push off sideways. For sharp tennis direction changes, the useful combination is a secure fit, dependable lateral support, and enough grip to stop without feeling stuck to the court. The right balance depends on your feet, … Read more