What Beginners and Intermediate Players Can Do: Competencies Matter More Than a Pretty Swing

What Beginners and Intermediate Players Can Do: Competencies Matter More Than a Pretty Swing

Short Answer

A tennis player’s level is not about how beautiful they look on video with a perfect swing, but what they can actually do on the court: hitting the ball into the target zone, controlling the ball, taking the right position, and making game decisions. A pretty swing without control and movement is more an illusion of progress than a real step forward.

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Why This Topic Is Important

On the court, it’s common to see players, especially beginners or recreational players, focusing on repeating flashy movements as if for photos or videos. Meanwhile, they forget the main thing — consistency of shots and game thinking. As a result, a beautiful swing during practice doesn’t translate into winning points in rallies and leads to frustration. For an adult beginner or intermediate player, it’s important to understand that real competencies are about what helps win points and enjoy the game, not how the stroke looks.

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What the Coach Explains

#### Beginner Competencies

A beginner who is just starting usually can:

• Hit the ball into the playing zone at a comfortable pace.
• Return the ball without excessive errors, though not always precisely.
• Take a position for the next shot instead of standing still.
• Sustain a short rally — from 2 to 4 shots.

These are basic skills that create a foundation for further growth. If a player tries to “look good” right away but often misses the ball or stands still, there will be no progress in the game.

#### Intermediate Level Competencies

An intermediate player can already:

• Choose the type of shot according to the specific game situation, not just repeat the same swing.
• Control the direction and depth of serves/shots.
• Recover quickly after an error and take the correct position.
• Maintain rallies of 4–6 shots with varying pace and effects.

This doesn’t mean shots must be perfect or professional, but they should be deliberate and functional.

#### Why a “Pretty Swing” Without Control and Movement Is Not Progress

A beautiful backswing is an external effect that can be rehearsed in front of a mirror or on video. But if the ball goes into the net or far out, and the player stands still and is not ready for the next shot, the level does not improve. In a live match, what matters is:

• Reliable contact with the ball.
• Correct reading of direction.
• Quick recovery and positioning.
• Ability to control the situation, not just look good.

The coach primarily evaluates these competencies. The aesthetics of the swing form are polished later, once the basics are in place.

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How It Looks in TS WINNER Training

In sessions in Budva, around Slovenska plaza and hotel Aleksandar, TS WINNER coaches start by diagnosing the student’s current level through live contact and simple game tasks. For example:

• Asking to return 4–6 balls consecutively into a specific zone.
• Analyzing how consistently the student controls shot direction.
• Checking the ability to quickly take position after a shot.
• Observing reaction after an error: does the player stay in the game or lose confidence.

Then the coach formulates the next realistic step: for example, “maintain 6 shots with minimal errors” or “hit the target zone 7 out of 10 times.” This is much clearer than “make a beautiful swing like a pro.” This approach helps the student see progress through the lens of game skills — without pressure or comparison to YouTube videos.

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Common Mistakes of Beginners and Recreational Players

• Chasing the perfect backswing. Spending too much time copying form but unable to hit the ball consistently. This hinders development of basic game skills.
• Lack of movement. Many stand still waiting for the ball instead of taking a ready position. This reduces rally effectiveness.
• Focusing on one shot. For example, only forehand from the basket, without trying different shots or tactical decisions.
• Fear of mistakes and losing points. Players avoid risks and don’t learn to manage rallies.
• Comparing themselves to professionals in videos. This leads to unrealistic expectations and disappointment.

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What to Do Now

• Try focusing on hitting the ball into the zone during training, not on swing form.
• Practice short rallies with a partner, paying attention to position after the shot.
• Book a level diagnosis with a coach via @TSWinnerbot to get feedback and recommendations.
• Use mistakes as learning material — don’t be afraid to try and analyze what worked.
• Calmly try different shots and game situations without pressure or exams.

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How TS WINNER Helps

TS WINNER’s approach to training is based on live contact with the coach and adapting the format to each individual. We don’t promise quick wins or perfect swing form from the first lesson. Instead, we offer realistic goals and clear steps that help adult beginners and recreational players see their level and move forward without unnecessary stress.

Level diagnosis via @TSWinnerbot is an opportunity to calmly understand which competencies are already present and what to work on. This approach helps avoid common pitfalls and build the game on a solid foundation.

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Conclusion

A tennis player’s level is not a photogenic backswing or a beautiful pose, but what they can do in real play: control the ball, make decisions, take position, and play consistently. A pretty swing is the result of working on basic game skills, not a goal in itself. To move forward, start gently, look at yourself as a whole, and choose a format suited to you. Calmly try diagnosing your current level with a coach and define a realistic next step — that is the best path to growth.

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Text adapted from the article “Model for determining playing competencies for different levels of beginner and intermediate tennis players – Part 1” (Taj Dolenc, Ales Filipcic, 2025), ITF Coaching & Sport Science Review, CC BY 4.0. ITF does not endorse and is not a partner of TS WINNER / DOO ALTERRA.

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Book a Training Session

Want to try a group or individual training session in Budva? Write to TS WINNER on Telegram — the link will mark this article so we can offer the right next step.