50 Mistakes Every Tennis Player Makes and How to Fix Them

Most players repeat the same mistakes without even noticing. We rounded up 50 of them, sorted by category, with a short fix for each. Read through, flag the ones that sound like you, and correct them one at a time.

Technique mistakes

1. Trying to hit too hard instead of hitting under control.
2. Using the wrong grip for the shot you're playing.
3. A swing that's either too short or too big.
4. Failing to transfer your weight forward into the shot.
5. Making contact too late, behind your body.
6. Not rotating your body and hitting with the arm alone.
7. Watching your opponent instead of the ball.
8. Gripping the racket too tightly and losing feel.
9. Not finishing the shot with a full follow-through.
10. Dropping your head before you complete the shot.

Footwork mistakes

11. Skipping the split step before your opponent hits.
12. Not recovering back to the center after every shot.
13. Standing flat-footed instead of staying on the balls of your feet.
14. Reaching the ball off balance.
15. Taking oversized strides instead of small adjustment steps.
16. Failing to adjust your distance from the ball.

Serving mistakes

17. An inconsistent ball toss.
18. A first serve that's too hard with no success rate to show for it.
19. A weak, predictable second serve.
20. Never varying your serve placement.
21. Tension in the shoulder instead of a relaxed, free motion.
22. Not using the serve as a tactical weapon.

Tactical mistakes

23. Trying to end the point too early.
24. Always hitting to the same spot and becoming predictable.
25. Not mixing depth and short balls correctly.
26. Failing to come to the net when the chance is there.
27. Playing to your opponent's strength instead of their weakness.
28. Never changing pace or power.
29. Losing patience in long rallies.
30. Not using the slice to change the rhythm.

Mental mistakes

31. Getting angry after a mistake and dragging it into the next point.
32. Losing focus when you're ahead.
33. Playing tense instead of loose.
34. Not learning from your previous match.
35. Giving up on points that look lost.
36. Not building a consistent routine between points.

Equipment and preparation mistakes

37. Strings that are strung too tight or too loose.
38. A racket that's too heavy or wrong for your level.
39. Shoes that aren't right for the surface.
40. Showing up without warming up.
41. Not drinking enough water throughout the match.
42. A worn-out grip that slips in your hand.

And a few more that trip up almost everyone: not setting a goal for each practice, never filming yourself, always playing the same opponents, never asking for feedback, skipping the cool-down stretches, and not resting enough between matches. Fix one every week and you'll see your level jump.

How to actually fix a bad habit in tennis

Spotting a mistake is easy, fixing it takes method. A bad habit is built from thousands of repetitions, so fixing it needs slow, conscious repetitions. Pick one mistake at a time, practice it slowly and deliberately, and only when the correct motion feels natural should you raise the pace. Do not try to fix five mistakes at once.

3 principles for a fast fix

• Deliberate practice: slow reps with full attention beat a hundred automatic reps.
• External feedback: film yourself or ask an experienced player to watch, it is hard to fix what you cannot see.
• Patience: a real fix takes weeks, not days. Give it time.

The mistake above all others: not playing enough

You can read about mistakes forever, but nothing fixes them like time on court against real opponents. The best way to improve is simply to play more, against players at your level. Find open games and partners through an app, and build the court hours that truly make the difference.