The Joy of a Hit
The Joy of a Hit
As Coach Tim reminded me, there’s something quietly magical about two people on a court just having a hit.
There’s real beauty in the rhythm — in the simple joy of striking the ball cleanly, sweetly, again and again.
In the rush to compete, to grind out results, and climb rankings, many players miss this essential: the joy of the hit.
Why the Hit Matters More Than You Think
Most players train to win. They chase the scoreboard, the next tournament, the next edge. But in that chase, something vital can get lost — the pure, effortless joy of clean contact, the sound of a well-struck ball echoing under the open sky.
When you hit for the love of the hit, you reconnect with the original reason you picked up a racket in the first place. Not for validation. Not for rankings. But because there’s something deeply satisfying about rhythm, timing, and flow.
What You Miss When You Rush to Compete
- You miss the feel — of how your body syncs with the ball.
- You skip the rhythm — the meditative back-and-forth that builds control.
- You bypass the flow — that sweet zone where time slows and every shot feels inevitable.
And ironically, you also stall your development. Rushing into match play too often engrains tension, over-hitting, and poor decision-making.
The Hit as a Mindset
Think of a hit session as movement meditation. Like a musician playing scales or an artist sketching shapes, the repetition isn’t mindless — it’s sacred. It sharpens your awareness, hones your balance, and tunes your nervous system to the pace of the game.
Make it part of your routine:
- Start each week with a hit — no serves, no pressure.
- Let go of outcome — focus on timing and feel.
- Use it to reset after a tough loss or stressful match.
Wrap
So yes, hit with purpose. Train hard. Compete fiercely. But never lose sight of what the game gives you when no one’s keeping score.
Because the joy of the hit isn’t just a warm-up — it’s the heart of tennis.
Take time to return to it. Often.
