BIG TENNIS ACADEMY
Learn Tennis the Way the Pros Are Coached
The Big Tennis Academy is a complete, free learning path built from decades on tour and on the practice court. Start with the fundamentals, sharpen every stroke, learn to construct points, and train the body and mind that hold it all together. Pick your level below, choose a course, and get to work.
EXPLORE
Academy Guides
Tennis Fundamentals
Scoring, equipment, grips, the split step, contact point and a 30-day plan to build a reliable rally game.
Read more →Technique Essentials
Stroke-by-stroke breakdowns of the forehand, backhands, serve, return, volley, overhead, slice and footwork.
Read more →Match Strategy
Point construction, serve +1, patterns, doubles formations, tiebreaks and a scouting checklist.
Read more →Drill Library
Dozens of filterable drills by skill and level, with setup, cues, common mistakes and progressions.
Read more →Tennis Fitness
Movement, strength, mobility and conditioning routines designed for the demands of tennis.
Read more →Mental Game
Confidence, focus, routines and handling pressure, so you play your best when it matters.
Read more →Visualization
Use mental rehearsal to groove technique, prepare for matches and calm nerves.
Read more →Tennis Journal
Track practices, matches and goals so every session builds on the last.
Read more →Coaching
Find a coach, book lessons and learn what great coaching looks like.
Read more →WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
Pick Your Level
Ratings are rough guides only — UTR and NTRP measure different things, and no conversion is official. Use this table to choose a starting point and a realistic practice load.
| Level | Focus | Weekly practice | Rough NTRP / UTR |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Player | Grips, ready position, contact, mini-tennis, scoring | 2 sessions of 45–60 min | NTRP 1.5–2.0 / UTR 1–2 |
| Beginner | Rally consistency, basic serve, volley introduction | 2–3 sessions | NTRP 2.5 / UTR 2–3 |
| Advanced Beginner | Depth and direction, a reliable second serve, playing points | 3 sessions, including match play | NTRP 3.0 / UTR 3–4 |
| Intermediate | Topspin, serve +1, net transitions, doubles positioning | 3–4 sessions plus fitness | NTRP 3.5 / UTR 4–6 |
| Advanced | Weapons, patterns, tactical variety, mental routines | 4–5 sessions plus 2 fitness | NTRP 4.0–4.5 / UTR 6–9 |
| Tournament / College | Periodized training, scouting, match management | 8–15 hours plus fitness | NTRP 5.0–5.5 / UTR 9–12 |
| Professional | Marginal gains in every area, recovery, travel scheduling | Full-time training | NTRP 6.0–7.0 / UTR 13+ |
STRUCTURED LEARNING
Course Outlines
Tennis Fundamentals
- Lesson 1. The court, scoring and etiquette
- Lesson 2. Choosing your racquet, strings, shoes and balls
- Lesson 3. Ready position and the split step
- Lesson 4. Grips: continental, eastern, semi-western, western
- Lesson 5. Contact point, the unit turn and follow-through
- Lesson 6. Rally consistency: height, depth, direction, spin, speed
Build a Better Forehand
- Lesson 1. Grip choices and what they change
- Lesson 2. The unit turn and the loop
- Lesson 3. Lag, contact and the laid-back wrist
- Lesson 4. Stances: neutral, semi-open and open
- Lesson 5. Generating topspin and depth
- Lesson 6. Inside-out and inside-in patterns
Serve Development
- Lesson 1. Continental grip and the throwing motion
- Lesson 2. A repeatable toss
- Lesson 3. Trophy position and leg drive
- Lesson 4. Pronation and racquet-head speed
- Lesson 5. Flat, slice and kick
- Lesson 6. Targets, patterns and the second serve
- Lesson 7. Serving under pressure
Doubles Strategy
- Lesson 1. One up, one back: roles and responsibilities
- Lesson 2. Moving forward together
- Lesson 3. Poaching and signals
- Lesson 4. I-formation and Australian formation
- Lesson 5. Returning in doubles
- Lesson 6. Communication and partnership
Match Toughness
- Lesson 1. The between-point routine
- Lesson 2. Playing big points
- Lesson 3. Coming back from behind
- Lesson 4. Closing out sets and matches
- Lesson 5. Handling difficult opponents and line calls
Junior Tournament Prep
- Lesson 1. Understanding rankings and tournament levels
- Lesson 2. Building a training week around school
- Lesson 3. Match-day routine: warm-up, food and hydration
- Lesson 4. Self-officiating and sportsmanship
- Lesson 5. Scouting and match notes
- Lesson 6. Parents’ guide to supporting a junior player
High-Performance Tennis
- Lesson 1. Periodizing your training year
- Lesson 2. Building a weapon
- Lesson 3. Advanced serve +1 and return +1 patterns
- Lesson 4. Using match statistics and video
- Lesson 5. Recovery, sleep and travel
- Lesson 6. College and pro pathways
Adult Beginner Fast Track
- Lesson 1. Your first hour on court
- Lesson 2. Mini-tennis to full court
- Lesson 3. A simple, reliable serve
- Lesson 4. Volleys and net confidence
- Lesson 5. Playing your first set
- Lesson 6. Joining a league or social group
Tennis Fitness
- Lesson 1. Dynamic warm-up
- Lesson 2. Movement and agility
- Lesson 3. Strength for power and injury resilience
- Lesson 4. Conditioning for long matches
- Lesson 5. Mobility and cool-down
- Lesson 6. Fueling and hydration basics (educational, not medical advice)
Mental Tennis
- Lesson 1. Self-talk and focus cues
- Lesson 2. Visualization and mental rehearsal
- Lesson 3. Breathing and arousal control
- Lesson 4. Setting process goals
- Lesson 5. Building confidence through preparation
- Lesson 6. Reviewing matches with a journal
Join the Big Tennis Community
Free weekly tennis news, coaching tips, drills and games — plus Teo Davidov updates. Pick what you want; unsubscribe anytime.