Tennis is a very challenging sport and there are many problems you need to solve, not just in the course of a match, but even in the course of one point.

These can include proper ball judgment, good footwork and setting up well for the shot, timing the stroke well, coordinating your whole kinetic chain and many other tennis skills needed for the technical part of the stroke.

Then there’s tactics which may include awareness of opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, awareness of your own strengths and weaknesses, deciding early enough for the right shot, playing high percentage shots and others.

The mental game may include the ability to focus, the ability to block outside distractions, the ability to be in the now and others.

But all these tennis challenges cannot be solved if you don’t solve the basic tennis problems in the order they will happen when you strike the ball. Which are they?

1. The NET

The first problem after you have hit the ball and it’s moving away from you is the NET. This is where you can first lose the point – by playing too low.

So solve this problem first by always being aware of the HEIGHT of the shot you want to play. Your main objective with every shot is to clear the net safely otherwise you’ll lose the point – no matter how technically and tactically correct you hit the ball.

Your first cue is to PLAY UP. (or LIFT)

2. The BASELINE (and SIDELINES)

Once the ball clears the net, you can lose the point by playing too long. If the ball crosses the baseline or the sidelines, you’ll lose the point. Again, it doesn’t matter if you did everything else correctly; technique doesn’t count in tennis – only winning points does.

Your goal is then to make the ball go down, which when the ball is hit with a moderate pace can be achieved with spin. You can also hit the ball slower and it will land shorter but in the long term, you need to control ball’s depth by spin.

Your second cue is to put SPIN on the ball. (or PUSH down)

3. The OPPONENT

Now that the ball has crossed the net and landed before the baseline, it will reach your opponent. This is your third problem.

If your opponent gets an easy ball, she will make you run and out you under pressure. Therefore your shots must put your opponent under pressure and the most common tactics to achieve that is to move your opponent.

You can do that by simply playing the ball AWAY from her. If you’ve taken care of the previous two problems (net and baseline), your shots are now reliable and all you need to do now is to add direction.

Your third cue is to PLAY AWAY. (or MOVE her)

Too many times the players worry too much about their opponent and not enough about tennis.

The most basic tennis rules ask you to put the ball into the court in order not to lose a point. That means that you need to play over the net and land the ball before the baseline.

Only then will the ball arrive to your opponent. That’s why your first priority when striking the ball is taking care of tennis. Make the ball go up and then make the ball go down.

LIFT and SPIN will give you enough arc with topspin which will clear the net and push the ball down before the baseline. Once you get a good feel and timing for creating a consistent arc which brings the ball down before the baseline, ADD direction.

Practice hitting the ball down the line and cross while at the same controlling the height and depth.

Eventually your mind will merge all those 3 cues together into LIFT – SPIN – AWAY and you’ll be able to play very consistent tennis which will constantly pressure your opponent.

Now that you’re more aware of the lift – spin – away tip, observe carefully this Nadal – Djokovic rally and see how they constantly apply this concept to almost every shot they play.