Quick Takeaways

• Study footwork by locking in on one player at a time.

• Look for strategic battles: how strengths are used against weaknesses.

• Pay attention to routines under pressure and borrow them.

• Don’t just admire highlights—apply one lesson each time you play.

The US Open: A Stage and a Classroom

The US Open is tennis’s loudest, wildest, most dramatic stage. Under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, you’ll see Carlos Alcaraz sprinting corner to corner, Jannik Sinner striking with laser accuracy, Iga Świątek dominating rallies with heavy forehands, and Coco Gauff electrifying crowds with her defense.

It’s easy to sit back as a fan and enjoy the spectacle. But here’s the problem: most players leave it at entertainment. The solution? Shift your perspective. If you watch the US Open like a student, not just a spectator, it becomes the best free masterclass in tennis.

Seeing the Game Behind the Score

Every point you watch has a story. The casual eye sees a forehand winner or a big ace. The trained eye sees the rally three shots earlier, the setup, the intentional choice.

Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t just rip forehands for fun—he builds patterns: crosscourt, crosscourt, then suddenly down the line. Jannik Sinner doesn’t simply play consistent—he uses depth to push opponents back until he can flatten one into the corner. Iga Świątek? She leans on her heavy spin to drag rivals off the court, then hammers the next ball into the open space.

Instead of asking “Who won the point?” start asking:

• What sequence led there?

• Which shot was the trigger?

• Was one player exposing the other’s weakness?

Do this and you’ll start thinking like a coach, not just a fan.

The Footwork Secret

The shots look magical. But what makes them possible is the movement beneath them. And here’s the trick: most of us miss it because we’re watching the ball.

Try this: during the US Open, choose one player—say Alcaraz or Świątek—and ignore the ball. Watch only their feet for a full game.

You’ll notice:

• The split step before every shot, no matter the rally’s speed.

• Adjustment steps, tiny and constant, to find perfect balance.

• Explosive recovery: Alcaraz sprints back into position like a spring. Świątek shuffles into balance so quickly she’s already set before her opponent hits.

Focusing on one player at a time teaches you how champions create time and space. The ball looks slower because their feet are faster. Copying even a fraction of that movement at the H-E-B Tennis Center will make your own rallies instantly steadier.

Strategy: Strengths vs. Weaknesses

Every US Open match is a tug-of-war of styles. One player is trying to impose a weapon; the other is trying to hide a flaw.

• Alcaraz uses his explosive forehand to pound into opponents’ backhands until they crack.

• Świątek pushes heavy spin into corners, forcing short balls she can attack.

• Sinner works with surgical depth, driving rivals so far back they lose control.

• Gauff turns defense into offense, absorbing power until her opponent over-hits.

• Sabalenka tries to shorten rallies with raw pace, knowing longer exchanges can expose her.

When you watch, ask yourself: Where is the battle happening? Who’s winning it? Once you start spotting these battlegrounds, you’ll take that mindset to your own matches. At the H-E-B Tennis Center, you’ll find yourself thinking, My forehand is my weapon. Their backhand is shaky. How do I get us into that rally over and over? That’s when recreational tennis starts feeling like chess.

The Mental Game on Display

Pressure is the great equalizer. A packed stadium, a fifth-set tiebreak, or just the weight of expectations—everyone feels it.

Świątek has admitted to battling nerves. Gauff is still learning to control them. Even Alcaraz, as fearless as he looks, has moments where his shots spray under stress. What separates them isn’t the absence of nerves—it’s how they handle them.

Watch the routines:

• Alcaraz bouncing, smiling, twirling his racket—turning nerves into energy.

• Świątek pausing, breathing, focusing only on the present moment.

• Sinner keeping his face calm, his body language unshaken, no matter the score.

These rituals are lessons. Adopt your own: one breath, one bounce, one phrase. Use it next time you face a big point at the H-E-B Tennis Center. It won’t erase nerves, but it will anchor you.

Beyond the Superstars

It’s tempting to only watch finals and marquee names. But the early rounds of the US Open are full of contrasting styles you can learn from:

• Daniil Medvedev stands deep behind the baseline, turning points into endurance tests.

• Ons Jabeur mixes spins, slices, and drop shots, showing creativity is as powerful as speed.

• Ben Shelton brings fearless shot-making, reminding us of the power of confidence.

Every style is a possibility. Watching these players gives you options: Do you want to build like Sinner, defend like Gauff, or mix like Jabeur?

Applying It to Your Game

Here’s the critical step: don’t stop at watching. Bring it home.

Keep a notebook by the couch. Write down one thing per night:

• “Sinner’s recovery steps.”

• “Świątek’s deep crosscourt before changing direction.”

• “Alcaraz attacks short balls instantly.”

Then, the next time you’re on court in Harlingen, try just one of those things. Tell your coach or hitting partner, “I saw this—let’s practice it.” That single act turns New York entertainment into Harlingen improvement.

Why It Matters Locally

It might feel like Arthur Ashe Stadium is a world away from Pendleton Park. But the truth is, the same lessons apply. The pros built their games by studying others, borrowing what worked, and practicing it until it became their own.

At the H-E-B Tennis Center, we see it all the time: players who watch tennis with intention come back sharper. They’ve seen how the best do it, and they bring that energy into drills, clinics, and matches. It creates progress you can feel.

Conclusion: The Couch Is Your Classroom

The US Open is more than entertainment—it’s education. If you shift your lens from spectator to student, every match becomes a lesson. Watch footwork. Study strategy. Observe rituals. Copy styles. And most importantly, apply one lesson at a time.

Because while Alcaraz, Sinner, Świątek, and Gauff might lift trophies in New York, the next chapter of your tennis story is being written right here in Harlingen.

Time to Take Action

📍 Ready to put your US Open lessons into action? Join us at the H-E-B Tennis Center, 1613 Morgan Blvd, inside Pendleton Park.

👉 Book clinics, court time, or lessons at harlingentenniscenter.org