Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, consistent practice with focused drills is essential to improving your tennis singles performance. Playing singles requires agility, precision, mental toughness, and strategic awareness. The right drills can help you sharpen your technique, build endurance, and improve decision-making under pressure. Here’s a list of the best tennis singles drills every player should try:
1. Crosscourt and Down-the-Line Rally Drill
Purpose: Improve directional control and consistency
How to do it:
Rally with a partner where one player hits only crosscourt shots, and the other hits only down-the-line.
Switch roles after a set number of shots or minutes.
Benefits:
Develops shot discipline
Enhances angle awareness and control
Simulates real match scenarios
2. Serve and First Ball Drill
Purpose: Improve serve accuracy and first shot decision-making
How to do it:
Practice serving to different targets (wide, body, T).
After each serve, hit a groundstroke based on where the return would realistically go.
Focus on depth and placement of that first ball.
Benefits:
Builds rhythm between serve and rally play
Mimics match openings
Improves serve + 1 strategy
3. Two-on-One Drill
Purpose: Boost endurance and improve shot tolerance under pressure
How to do it:
One player covers the full singles court, while two players (on opposite baselines) alternate hitting balls.
The solo player must return every shot.
Rotate every 5–10 minutes.
Benefits:
Great for stamina
Forces you to construct points and recover fast
Improves court coverage
4. Approach and Volley Drill
Purpose: Improve transition game and net play
How to do it:
Start at the baseline and hit a deep approach shot.
Immediately move forward to practice your volley technique.
Finish with an overhead if possible.
Benefits:
Sharpens attacking instincts
Improves movement from baseline to net
Builds confidence at the net
5. Crosscourt Forehand and Backhand Drill
Purpose: Reinforce dominant baseline strokes
How to do it:
Hit only forehands crosscourt for several minutes.
Switch to backhands crosscourt.
Focus on footwork, depth, and spin.
Benefits:
Increases consistency
Enhances muscle memory
Helps master rally patterns used in matches
6. Target Practice Drill
Purpose: Improve precision and court awareness
How to do it:
Place cones or markers in different areas of the court (e.g., deep corners, sidelines).
Try to hit the targets repeatedly from different positions on the court.
Benefits:
Builds accuracy
Improves shot placement under pressure
Trains point construction tactics
7. Baseline Consistency Drill (100-Ball Rally)
Purpose: Improve focus, consistency, and stamina
How to do it:
Rally with a partner aiming for 100 continuous shots without an error.
Use crosscourt or down-the-line patterns.
If the rally breaks, restart.
Benefits:
Mental and physical endurance
Enhances consistency and control
Trains focus under pressure
8. Shadow Swing and Footwork Drill
Purpose: Perfect technique and movement without the ball
How to do it:
Practice groundstroke swings while moving to imaginary balls.
Focus on footwork, recovery steps, and balance.
Repeat with volleys and serves.
Benefits:
Reinforces proper form
Builds muscle memory
Great for warm-ups or solo training
Conclusion
Mastering tennis singles requires more than just hitting balls—it’s about refining technique, improving movement, and developing mental resilience. These drills help players at all levels sharpen their game by focusing on fundamentals and real-match scenarios. Incorporate these into your weekly practice routine, and you’ll see noticeable improvements in your control, consistency, and on-court confidence.
