How do you define insanity? Well one way is to describe it is to repeatedly do the same actions but expecting a different result each time, very much like playing tennis in fact.

Playing tennis is very strategic, and if you find your self losing in quite spectacular fashion, is it time to change your tactics.

The problem is that too few do that and end up the loser. If you have a game plan that isn’t working you have change it, simple as that.

The Australian Open once again got the tennis year off to a great start and whetted out appetite for the forthcoming season. The master they call Roger Federer once again lifted that famous trophy, sending out a warning to all his opponents that he’s still the man to beat.

There again, it’s still very early in the season, and way too early to write anyone off yet. Look at the surprises last year threw up, a prime example being Juan Martin Del Potro winning the US Open title by beating Federer in the final.

The red clay that is used as the surface on a tennis court originated right back to the origins of the game. If you play tennis yourself, you have been privileged to have a game on this famous surface. The history of the red clay court is particularly prevalent in Spain and the home of the only major played on clay; France.

This is a unique surface and makes the style of play completely different from other surfaces. To actually play on clay is an exhilarating experience.

There are qualities which are vital to any great tennis player and as the world of tennis progresses on, these qualities are debated over by fans and players alike.

There are arguments that can be made for a handful of different elements of the sport, and while it may all boil down to a matter of opinion, it’s still fun to look at the possibilities.

I have listed a few elements to consider. Which do you think are important?

What about volleying? A game that it going too smoothly can become a disadvantage for opponents as point may easily be lost. Just take a look back at players of the past such as John McEnroe.

As tennis continues to grow its fans and players will always be arguing on what determines a good player and which skills are the most important to have.

So it’s all just conjecture really, but it’s still worth having a debate over just for the fun of it and there are many aspects of the sport to choose from.

Here are the most important factors. Let’s see which one you think matters most.

What about volleying? A game that it going too smoothly can become a disadvantage for opponents as point may easily be lost. Just take a look back at players of the past such as John McEnroe.

Anyone who plays the sport of tennis knows that the surface of each court will have a profound impact on the way the game is played. Depending on the court type, your strategy will certainly change.

I’d like to write about the most popular surface in the world, and that is hard tennis courts. These are commonly used in both outdoor and indoor settings, and the fact that they’re easier to maintain than any other kind is the reason for this.

Because of the Australian Open kicking off the new ‘10 tennis calendar year, the sport we love is officially back. There are many competitors comprising a field that is now much more up for grabs than it’s happened to be in many years.

Long gone are the days of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal being locks to win just about every event. There are various other athletes on the tour who have legitimate chances every single moment a tournament starts.

If we rewind by a few years in the women’s tennis world, we’ll arrive at a time where Justine Henin was the world’s best female tennis player. Not only was she the best, but she was rather dominant.

Suddenly, Henin decided to call it a career during the summer of 2008. Many were shocked by this revelation, as there was simply no reason for her to retire. After all, it’s not as if she was slowing down.

Her retirement had everything to do with the fact that she simply grew tired of the lifestyle that comes with that of a professional athlete. The training and the grueling schedule had taken their toll on this champion.

If you’re an avid tennis player, perhaps you’ve enjoyed the privilege of playing on red clay courts. This is an old surface with a deep rooted history of tradition that dates back to the origins of the sport in parts of Europe like Spain and France.

While these courts are common in other parts of the world, they’re far more rare in America. Still, they do exist, and you should consider yourself lucky if you have the opportunity to play a match on this surface.

After having performed many of sports physicals over the years, I have seen an ever increasing trend in poor posture. Often, the posture is compromised before a sport is undertaken, and frequently the posture is affected by repetitive motions of a certain sport.

You can easily perform an assessment of your own posture by having someone observe you from your back (six feet directly behind you). Does one shoulder look higher than the other? Does one hip look higher? Check to see if your feet are equal, is one flaring out more than the other? The knees should be in alignment as well, facing the same direction. Your head should be equally balanced, not tilting to one side. If some differences are noticed, you may have a biomechanical problem that is affecting your sports performance.