5 Warm-Up Habits Every Weekend Player Should Steal From The Pros
Most weekend players skip the warm-up and head straight into a match — and pay for it with a slow first set, or worse, a pulled muscle. Our coaching staff at the Ariake showroom put together the five-step routine we teach every new member of the Juniper Crest Land club. It takes under ten minutes and needs nothing but your racket.
1. Start With Movement, Not Stretching
Skip the static stretches at the start — cold muscles don't respond well to them. Instead, begin with light jogging along the baseline, high knees, and lateral shuffles to raise your heart rate and loosen your hips.
2. Shoulder Circles With Your Racket
Hold your racket by the throat with both hands and make slow, controlled circles above your head, then behind your back. This wakes up the rotator cuff before you ask it to swing at full speed.
"The players who warm up properly are the ones still moving well in the third set." — Juniper Crest Land Head Coach
3. Mini-Tennis From The Service Line
Rally softly from service line to service line for two to three minutes. This is where your hands and eyes sync up with the ball before you take full swings — don't skip it, even if your hitting partner wants to go big immediately.
4. Progressive Groundstrokes
Move back to the baseline and hit groundstrokes at 50% pace, gradually building to full speed over ten to fifteen shots. Alternate forehands and backhands evenly.
5. Serve Ladder
Finish with five serves at half pace, five at three-quarter pace, and five at full pace. By the time you're ready to play a real point, your whole body — and your racket — is warmed up and synced.
Pair this routine with a racket you trust, like the Sakura Pro 98, and a fresh tube of Sakura Championship Balls for the truest bounce from your very first rally.
