AI+Human Tennis Coach – samples

Here are some examples of feedback from the AI+Human Tennis Coach

Sinner vs Medvedev 2024 Wimbleton

Video Link (Youtube)

The video shows a high-level professional tennis match between Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev. Both players display exceptional skills and are among the top players in the world. However, here are some specific recommendations for each player based on their performance in this match:

Jannik Sinner

• Improve his serve: Sinner’s serve is a good weapon, but he needs to increase his first-serve percentage to consistently put more pressure on his opponents. He often gets caught in lengthy rallies and could use a stronger serve to initiate points more aggressively.
• Increase his return game: While Sinner returns serves well at times, he struggles against Medvedev’s potent serves. Sinner can improve by being more aggressive on his returns and trying to take the ball early to disrupt Medvedev’s rhythm. He could also try to use a more slice return to create angles and keep Medvedev off balance.
• Improve his footwork: Sinner needs to work on his footwork to get to the ball more quickly and consistently. He can do this by focusing on short, quick steps and staying balanced throughout his movements.

Daniil Medvedev

• Be more aggressive on grass: Although Medvedev is a top player, he still struggles to find his rhythm on grass. His aggressive style doesn’t translate to grass as effectively as it does on other surfaces, and his lack of net play is evident. He needs to work on adjusting his tactics for the grass court surface to become more consistently successful.
• Improve his net game: Medvedev rarely comes to the net during this match. He needs to become more confident and skilled at volleys and overheads to increase his options on grass, as the surface doesn’t allow for the same depth and length he relies on at other tournaments.

Overall

Both Sinner and Medvedev are already at a high skill level, but there are always areas to improve. By focusing on their weaknesses and continuing to refine their strengths, they will have a chance to become even better. Sinner needs to work on his serve, return game and footwork to become more aggressive and consistent on grass. Medvedev needs to adjust his tactics to take advantage of the surface by becoming more aggressive at the net, and learn how to utilize his strengths more effectively on grass. It’s worth noting that both players are improving and learning new skills.

Tony & Richard July 2024 match

Alright, let’s talk about the player in blue. He’s a solid 3.5, but he has the potential to be a 4.0 or even higher with a few tweaks!

Here’s the breakdown:

Strengths:

• Backhand: You have a great backhand, both one-handed and two-handed. It’s consistent and you hit it with good depth and control.

Areas for Improvement:

• Serve: This is the biggest thing holding you back right now. It’s inconsistent, and you’re prone to double faults and serving into the net. The problem is your toss – it’s not consistent, and you’re rushing it. That leads to a rushed service motion.
• Forehand: Your forehand is inconsistent, especially on the run. This is a common 3.5 problem. The key is to get to the ball earlier. You’re taking a lot of balls late, which limits your power and accuracy.
• Aggression: You seem a bit hesitant. Don’t be afraid to go for your shots! Even if you miss a few, you’ll make more winners and dictate the points.

Actionable Tips:

1. Serve Consistency: Practice, practice, practice! You need to hit hundreds of serves to get a consistent toss and a smooth motion.
   • Toss Drill: Spend 10 minutes before each practice session just working on your toss. Focus on a high, consistent toss that gives you time to get into your service motion.
   • Second Serve: Work on your second serve to make it a more reliable weapon. Focus on getting the ball in play with good spin or slice.
2. Forehand Footwork: This is crucial for the forehand!
   • Split-Step Drill: Practice the split-step. It’s the foundation for good footwork. The split-step is when you take a small hop right before your opponent hits the ball to get ready to move.
   • Quick Footwork Exercises: Do some quick footwork exercises to improve your reaction time. This can be as simple as running from side-to-side or forward and backward.
3. Aggressive Play: You have to go for it. Practice hitting winners, even if you miss some. Don’t be afraid to go down the line or hit cross-court winners. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll be.

Extra Tips:

• Match Play: Play as many matches as you can. Match play is the best way to improve your game. Pay attention to what works against your opponent and what doesn’t.
• Video Analysis: Record yourself playing and watch it back. This will help you see your strengths and weaknesses.

Player 1 (in the white shirt and hat)

• Develop a more aggressive second serve: He relies heavily on a high-looping topspin second serve, making him vulnerable to attack. He should practice a flatter, faster second serve, perhaps incorporating some slice, to give his opponent less time to react and dictate the point.
• Improve net play: He seems hesitant to approach the net, even when in a strong position. He should work on volleys and overheads to finish points more efficiently. Drills focusing on approach shots and transition volleys would be beneficial.
• Vary shot selection: He tends to hit the same heavy topspin forehand crosscourt repeatedly. This predictability allows his opponent to anticipate and counter. Developing a more reliable down-the-line forehand and incorporating drop shots will make him less predictable and open up the court.

Player 2 (in the white shirt)

• Strengthen backhand consistency: His backhand is a clear weakness. He often slices defensively, giving his opponent control of the rally. He needs to spend significant time developing a more reliable topspin backhand to become a well-rounded player.
• Work on court coverage and footwork: He struggles to reach wide balls and recover quickly after hitting shots. Agility drills and footwork patterns focusing on lateral movement and explosiveness will help him cover the court more efficiently.
• Develop a stronger mental game: He gets visibly frustrated after errors, which impacts his subsequent play. He can benefit from practicing mindfulness techniques and developing routines to stay focused and positive, regardless of the score.

You Have the Potential!: You’ve got a great backhand and good fundamentals. With consistent effort and practice, you can absolutely take your game to the next level and become a 4.0 player!

Tony & Richard July 2024 match – 2nd evaluation

The player in blue is a solid 3.5 level player. His serve is inconsistent, but he has the potential to improve significantly. He is also lacking consistency with his forehand, but his backhand is good.

Here are some actionable and specific advice for the player in blue:

• Serve: When the player in blue serves he tends to rush his toss. He needs to take his time and focus on getting a consistent toss to make his serve more reliable. This will also give him more time to set up his feet.
• Forehand: His forehand is inconsistent because he has difficulty getting to the ball early. It also looks like he is trying to hit the ball too hard. Instead, he needs to focus on hitting the ball with more control and accuracy, and work on improving his footwork to get to the ball earlier.
• Backhand: The player in blue has a good backhand, he needs to continue working on this stroke. He should focus on improving his footwork to get to the ball earlier, which will allow him to hit more powerful backhands. He should also work on adding more spin to his backhand.

To improve the serve the player in blue could start with:

• Toss Drills: Start by practicing his toss. He should focus on getting a consistent toss that is high enough for him to have time to set up his feet. Then he should practice hitting a good serve from the correct spot.
• Serve Repetition: One of the best ways to improve a serve is to practice hitting hundreds of serves. This will help him develop muscle memory and consistency.
• Serving with a Partner: Serving with a partner will help him to work on the different aspects of serving, including:
  • Consistency: Practice hitting first serves in the service box and second serves that are in play.
  • Placement: Practice hitting serves to different spots on the court.
  • Spin: Practice hitting serves with different types of spin, such as topspin, slice, and kick.

To improve the forehand the player in blue could try:

• Footwork Drills: He should focus on getting to the ball earlier. Practice his footwork to move quickly and efficiently to the ball. He should also make sure to keep his balance and good footwork before hitting the forehand.
• Forehand Repetition: Practice hitting a forehand over and over again from different positions on the court. This will help him to develop muscle memory and consistency.
• Forehand with a Partner: Practice hitting forehands with a partner in a rally setting. This will help him to improve his timing, consistency, and shot selection. He could also ask his partner to throw balls to him to work on his reaction time and get to the ball early.

With continued effort, the player in blue can use these drills and specific advice to improve his serve and forehand, and develop into a 4.0 level player.

Tony & Andrew July 2024 match

Sure, I can help with that. Both of these players show decent form and rallies but to take their game to the next level, they need to work on the following:

Player on the left (Gray shirt):

• Footwork: While this player gets to most balls, their footwork is a bit sloppy and they aren’t always in an ideal position to hit the ball. Notice at 0:26, the player doesn’t split-step as the opponent is about to hit the ball, instead, they just start running to the ball, which is not as efficient. They should focus on using smaller, more precise steps to move around the court and get into position, as well as remembering to split-step as the opponent is about to hit the ball.
• Use open stance more: For most of the rally, the player is hitting with a closed stance (facing the side fence). This stance is good for power but limits shot selection. A more modern game relies on hitting open stance (facing the net) as seen at 0:56. This stance offers more options on angles. They should start practicing hitting more shots with an open stance, especially on the forehand side.
• Hitting the ball too flat: Most of the balls hit by this player are very flat with little topspin, leading to shots landing short (0:41) or sailing long (1:21). As this player moves up in NTRP levels, flat shots will get punished. They should work on adding more topspin to their shots, especially on the forehand side, by brushing up the back of the ball during their swing. They can also watch videos of professional players and focus on how they generate topspin.

Player on the right (Black shirt):

• Backhand: This player’s backhand is a weakness. They seem hesitant to hit it and often slice the ball (0:18), which can be effective, but also limits their options. They should work on developing a more consistent and aggressive topspin backhand. A good backhand is essential as players move up in skill level. They can work on their grip, swing path, and follow-through to improve their topspin backhand.
• Court Positioning: This player tends to stand too close to the baseline, limiting their reaction time and making it difficult to hit powerful shots. They should work on positioning themselves further back in the court, which will give them more time to react to shots and set up for their swings. Notice at 0:50, the player is almost standing on the baseline as they are hitting the ball.
• Follow Through: Their swing is a bit abbreviated on most groundstrokes. They should work on extending their follow-through to generate more power and consistency. A good follow-through helps to ensure that the ball is hit with the full force of the swing. They can practice their follow-through by hitting against a wall or with a coach, focusing on extending their arm and racket after they hit the ball.

Tony & Ed match in 2024

Validating NTRP Levels
Based on this short clip, it’s difficult to definitively say if these players are exactly 3.5. There are glimpses of 3.5-level play, but some areas need refinement. For a more accurate assessment, I’d need to see a full match.
Advice for Player in Blue
Serve:

• Consistency: His serves seem to lack consistency in placement and depth. He could benefit from focusing on a specific target area within the service box and practicing hitting it consistently.
• Toss: The toss seems a bit inconsistent, sometimes too far forward, sometimes too close. A consistent toss is crucial for a solid serve. He should practice tossing the ball the same height and distance every time.
• Rhythm & Relaxation: His serve appears somewhat rushed and tense. He would benefit from finding a smooth rhythm and staying relaxed throughout the service motion. This will improve timing and power.

Groundstrokes:

• Footwork: There’s a tendency to stay flat-footed, especially when receiving the serve. He should work on using smaller steps and getting into position earlier, allowing him to react quicker and hit with more balance.
• Shot Selection: While he mixes up forehands and backhands, he seems to lack direction. Varying shot placement, hitting cross-court, down the line, and short angles, will keep his opponent guessing and open up the court.
• Follow-Through: The follow-through on his backhand, particularly on the return of serve, is often cut short. This can lead to weak shots and inconsistent direction. A complete follow-through ensures more power and control.

Advice for Player in Grey
Groundstrokes:

• Depth: He tends to hit a lot of short balls, giving his opponent opportunities to attack. Focus on hitting deeper, aiming for the baseline, to push the opponent back and control the rallies.
• Topspin: While his forehand has some topspin, he could incorporate it more on his backhand. Topspin generates a heavier ball with a higher bounce, making it more difficult for the opponent to return effectively.
• Aggression: He often rallies passively, waiting for the opponent to make a mistake. He should look for opportunities to be more aggressive, taking the ball earlier and dictating the pace of the point.

General Tips for Both Players

• Practice with Purpose: Focus on specific areas for improvement during practice sessions. Don’t just hit balls aimlessly.
• Match Play: Nothing beats real match experience. Regularly playing matches will improve their court awareness, strategy, and mental toughness.
• Fitness: Tennis requires agility, endurance, and strength. Implementing a regular fitness routine tailored for tennis will enhance their performance.
• Seek Feedback: Having a coach or experienced player watch them play and provide feedback can be invaluable. They can identify weaknesses and suggest drills for improvement.

Ed & Tony 2024 Match

Okay, I’m ready to coach! After watching the video, I’d agree that both players are in the 3.5 NTRP range. Here’s some specific feedback for each player:
Player in Blue (Let’s call him Blue):

• Footwork: Blue could significantly improve his movement on the court. He seems to be standing flat-footed between shots and not anticipating where the ball is going.
• Actionable Advice: Practice split-step drills. As your opponent is about to hit the ball, do a small hop, landing with your feet shoulder-width apart. This will put you in an athletic “ready” position and allow you to react quickly in any direction.
• Backhand: His backhand is consistently a slice. While a slice is a useful shot, it’s predictable if it’s his only option.
• Actionable Advice: Work on developing a topspin backhand. This will give him more versatility and allow him to hit with more power and depth.
• Shot Selection: Blue often hits the ball right back to his opponent, making it easy to control the point.
• Actionable Advice: Think about changing the direction of the ball more often. Aim for crosscourt shots to open up the court, or try hitting down the line when you have an opportunity.

Player in Grey (Let’s call him Grey):

• Forehand: Grey has a solid forehand, but he sometimes hits it too flat, causing the ball to sail long.
• Actionable Advice: Focus on adding more topspin to his forehand. This will give him more control and help him keep the ball in the court. Practice brushing up the back of the ball on his forehand swing.
• Net Play: Grey is hesitant to come to the net. Attacking the net is a great way to win points at the 3.5 level.
• Actionable Advice: Work on approaching the net behind aggressive groundstrokes, especially after hitting a deep approach shot. Practice volleys and overheads to build confidence.
• Serve: While his serve is consistent, it lacks power and isn’t a weapon.
• Actionable Advice: Focus on developing a more powerful serve. This will give him more free points and put more pressure on his opponent. Practice tossing the ball higher and using more leg drive on the serve.

Overall:

• Consistency: Both players need to focus on improving their consistency. They make too many unforced errors. Consistent rallying is key at this level.
• Match Play: Playing more matches is crucial. It will help them develop their tactics, learn to handle pressure, and improve their shot selection in live game situations.

By working on these areas, both players can significantly improve their game and move closer to the 4.0 level. Remember, practice with purpose!

Tony & Richard serving practice

Tony & Richard 2023