Hi {{first name |there}},
"Watch the ball" may be the most repeated instruction in tennis and one of the hardest to follow in practice. This week, we’re sharing what this key advice actually means, and 7 practical tips for staying focused when it matters most.
On the fashion front, it’s time for this month’s Tennisette reader favorites: the tennis apparel and accessories you immediately added to cart, plus your off-court favorites, including a fabulous tennis racquet-adorned straw clutch and cozy quilted jacket. Plus, Tennisette founder Amelia Wilson shares her latest finds, including the splurgy bag she wants and the recovery slippers she swears by.
🕵️♀️The Laver Cup will take place in London this weekend. Here’s a trivia question about the tournament: What is unique about the tennis court the Laver Cup is played on? Scroll down to the link list for the answer…
Welcome to the club; we’re so glad you’re here.
Team Tennisette
P.S.: If you enjoy Tennisette, here’s a super-easy way to share it with friends!🎾
How to Actually Watch the Ball (It’s Not What You Think!)
"Keep your eye on the ball" may be the most repeated instruction in tennis — and one of the most misunderstood by recreational players.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash says: "'Watch the ball' actually means being aware of your on-court situation... It's more about awareness, focus, and concentration than it is about seeing."
Advanced players use “watch the ball” as both a concentration reset and visual cue: when distraction creeps in, telling yourself to watch the ball is a fast way to refocus.
In addition, researchers who study professional players have found that tracking ability is one of the things that separates elite players from other tour professionals. Most players' eyes settle somewhere ahead of the ball rather than following it cleanly to contact — but the very best, including Federer and Nadal, are an exception: photo analysis of their play shows their gaze locking onto the contact point and holding steady through the follow-through, a skill that distinguishes them even from other professional-level players.
Recreational players tend to lose focus when there’s a lot of downtime between points, when points extend beyond two shots, and when under pressure from an aggressive opponent.
Here are 7 practical ways to handle these challenges:
Say the words. The instant you notice your mind drifting — to the score, your last mistake, anything but the current point — say "watch the ball" to yourself, silently or out loud, as a focus trigger.
See the ball's seams, not just its shape. The best players narrow their focus beyond simply "seeing the ball.” They pick up the seams, printed logo, and spin as the ball approaches, and they begin this focus from the very beginning of each point: zeroing in on the ball in their opponent’s hand as they begin their service motion and looking closely at the ball in their own hands when they prepare to serve.
Practice “eye control.” Between points, look only at the racquet strings, the ground, or the ball. In Winning Ugly, Brad Gilbert says deliberately choosing where to look in the dead time between points keeps your focus contained, rather than letting your gaze drift to the scoreboard, the adjoining courts, or what your opponent is doing.
Get a friend or coach to watch your head. The most common mistake in club tennis is letting your gaze drift toward your target on the other side of the court before you've even made contact. In other words: looking away from the ball at the very moment it’s about to touch your racquet. This often happens right after the ball bounces. To address this, ask someone else to watch when your head turns. Once you know exactly when you’re turning away, you can retrain yourself out of the habit.
Use the “bounce-hit” ritual.
September’s Bestsellers & Founder Favorites!
What do Tennisette readers really want? Here are this month’s top 10 bestsellers: the tennis apparel and accessories you snapped up in droves, plus your off-court favorites, including a fabulous tennis racquet-adorned straw clutch and well-priced custom cashmere sweater.
We’re also sharing 5 of Tennisette founder Amelia Wilson’s latest finds, including the splurgy bag she’s eyeing, the recovery slides she swears by, and the tennis dress she’s coveting!
READER FAVORITES (images are clickable!)
Pleated skirt with built-in tights: $128
Woven clutch with tennis racquet: $98
Classic tennis dress: $178
Flattering pleated tennis skirt with built-in tights: $128. A Tennisette reader-favorite skirt with leggings attached. 4 classic colors.
Fabulous woven clutch with gold tennis racquet adornment: $98. Comes with optional crossbody strap!
Classic short-sleeved, collared tennis dress with pleated skirt: $178. In white with navy details. Undershorts included.
Quilted tennis-ball heritage jacket: $275. A great layering piece with a classic preppy vibe! Patch pockets and a relaxed fit in a very fall-appropriate brown.
The Wilson Blade backpack that Racquet Therapy founder Damla swears by: $107.
Feminine tennis dress in pointelle: $118. Wilson pointelle dress: 4 colors. Racerback. Includes shelf bra.
Adorable, ruffled performance socks worn by Coco Gauff at the US Open: $14.99. 3 colors.
Ultra-stretch, full-zip hoodie with UV protection: $39.90. Smooth fabric designed for layering; the hood features a built-in “visor.” Available in 4 colors.
Custom tennis cashmere sweater: $175-$215. Custom embroidered words or initials plus a tennis ball! 7 sweater colors to choose from, 35 thread colors.
A packable straw hat that’s essential for every trip to sunny climes: $62. This lightweight hat is adjustable and includes a ponytail holder at the back. 5 colors.
FOUNDER FINDS (images are clickable!)
Collared cotton cashmere sweater: $168
Classic navy tennis dress: $170
Recovery slippers: $119.95
I want this slightly oversized, collared sweater in pink-and-green stripes: $168. It’s in cotton cashmere and feels like fall but still looks sporty and upbeat! It comes in 8 colorways, including stripes and solids.
This is the classic navy tennis dress of my dreams: $170. I love the contrasting white collar, pleated skirt, and adorable tennis racquet logo! Includes undershorts. Also available in white.
These slippers (which I wear at home constantly!) were recommended by my podiatrist for post-match recovery: $119.95. They reduce joint stress, support your arch, and can be worn outdoors. I swear by them!
Personalized leather racquet bag: from $595. This is a serious splurge, but I saw a friend carrying it last weekend and have been thinking about it ever since! The leather is soft, and I like the streamlined design and preppy personalization! It has zipped pockets inside and comes in 4 colorways, including a very cool denim.
I am coveting this burgundy gingham button-down shirt: $250. It’s in a soft brushed cotton-and-wool blend, with a ruffled collar and cuffs that I know would look great under a sweater or jacket!
Roger Federer, Laver Cup
In Case You Missed It…
The tennis-to-mahjongg connection is real!🀄If you play American Mah Jongg, join the 159,000 players who open The Mah Jongg Insider every Monday. It's free, and every issue brings something to try at your next game. Subscribe here.
🤣Giving the ball back when you’re winning vs. losing. We’ve all been there!
You are the driver of your “tennis bus.” A helpful metaphor for handling unwanted thoughts and emotions.
🕵️♀️TRIVIA ANSWER: The Laver Cup is played on a black tennis court. Tournament organizers, including Roger Federer, wanted a visual style unlike any other event: the French Open uses red clay, Wimbledon is known for green and purple, and the U.S. Open and Australian Open feature blue. No major event had ever used black. The final color followed two years of research into the ideal color and surface for rigorous play under lights, with the spectator’s experience in mind. The court surface is hard, with sand added to slow play during long rallies.
Team Europe: Zverev styling Alcaraz, Laver Cup, 2026
Tournament Calendar
22 September to 27 September: Billie Jean King Cup Finals, Shenzhen, China
25 September to 27 September: Laver Cup, London, United Kingdom
23 September to 29 September: Chengdu Open, ATP 250, Chengdu, China
23 September to 29 September: Hangzhou Open, ATP 250, Hangzhou, China
30 September to 6 October: China Open, ATP 500, Beijing, China
