Tennis & Pickleball Hub

Learn, compete, and court up.

Find local tournaments, look at our review guides, or book lessons with trusted coaches.

Tournament Schedule

Browse events and sign up. Public roster shows display names only.

Date Event City Sport Roster & Signup
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Available Coaches

Private and small-group tennis and pickleball lessons.

Coach Mike teaching tennis

Coach Mike Zhang • Tennis • Pickleball

With years of experience coaching players of all ages and skill levels, Coach Mike helps beginners build solid fundamentals and supports advanced students preparing for competitive play. Many of his students have gone on to make their high school teams at New Trier and Glenbrook North.

Current Availability

  • Sunday: 1:00 PM
  • Thursday: 5:00 PM
Times shown are typical; reach out to confirm current openings.

Contact

Skill Guides (More Soon!)

Written guides, links, videos for tennis and pickleball.

Forehand

Tennis: Forehand Topspin

Grip • Racket path • Footwork

Step-by-step guide

Grip

  • Semi-western grip makes topspin easier.
  • Eastern grip works but generates less spin.

Stance & Preparation

  • Turn shoulders early and load on outside leg.
  • Non-hitting arm points forward for balance.

Swing Path

  • Drop racket below the ball.
  • Swing low-to-high, brushing up the back of the ball.
  • Contact slightly in front at waist height.

Follow-Through

  • Finish high with racket over opposite shoulder.
  • Relax arm and wrist for smooth motion.

Common Mistakes

  • Flat swing instead of low-to-high → ball sails long.
  • Late contact → less power and spin.
  • Gripping too tight → stiff swing, no spin.

Drills

  1. Shadow Swings: Practice low-to-high motion without a ball.
  2. Mini-Topspin Rally: Rally close to the net with light topspin, then back up.
  3. Target Practice: Aim cross-court, high arc, dipping inside baseline.
▶ Watch Topspin Forehand
Pickleball

Pickleball: Master the Dink

Soft hands • NVZ footwork • Patience

Step-by-step guide

Grip

  • Use a continental grip for better touch and control.
  • Keep your grip pressure light (around 3–4 out of 10) to soften impact.

Stance & Preparation

  • Stay low with knees bent and weight on the balls of your feet.
  • Position paddle in front of your body, ready for either side.

Stroke Mechanics

  • Compact backswing — keep paddle close to body.
  • Contact ball in front, just after it bounces.
  • Open paddle face slightly and guide forward with a push, not a swing.

Placement

  • Aim cross-court for more margin over the net.
  • Drop the ball into the opponent’s kitchen (non-volley zone).
  • Vary depth and direction to keep them guessing.

Common Mistakes

  • Taking too big of a swing → loss of control.
  • Standing tall → less reach and slower reactions.
  • Holding paddle too tight → ball pops up high.

Drills

  1. Wall Dinks: Stand close to a wall and dink repeatedly without letting the ball drop.
  2. Cross-Court Rally: Rally diagonally with a partner, keeping every ball in the kitchen.
  3. Target Dinks: Place cones or markers in the kitchen and aim for them consistently.
▶ Watch Dinking Basics

Contact Us

Contact us at information@courtup.org if you have any questions!