Hi everyone!

Here’s a solo tennis drill inspired by Rafael Nadal’s iconic point against Roger Federer. You’ll relive the intensity of that legendary rally while working on resilience, precision, and the transition between defense and attack.

How to run the drill:

Place the ball machine in front of you, centered on the baseline, and program a sequence of seven balls to reproduce the frantic pace of the point:

1. First ball: a powerful ball simulating a serve to the forehand side. Send it back with a deep cross-court forehand, aiming for both length and good clearance over the net.
2. Second ball: a slightly topspun cross-court ball to the backhand side. Move laterally and play a smooth, precise down-the-line backhand.
3. Third ball: another ball to the forehand side. Hit a deep down-the-line forehand with commitment and control.
4. Fourth ball: a fast ball directed to the backhand. Return it with a topspun down-the-line backhand to keep the ball lively and deep.
5. Fifth ball: a very wide, deep ball to the forehand side. Run hard to reach it and play a high, defensive lob to stay in the rally.
6. Sixth ball: a ball directed again to the backhand side. Recover quickly and hit a short, firm cross-court backhand.
7. Seventh ball: to finish, a ball to the backhand side that you strike with a driven, precise down-the-line backhand to break the rhythm and win the point.

Do 5 complete sets with 30 seconds of rest between each set.

Note: Since Rafael Nadal is left-handed, we’ve inverted forehands and backhands to match your playing side if you’re right-handed.

(Image created with the ETDM software – Download it here)

This solo tennis drill with a ball machine helps you chain multiple shots under intensity, alternate defense and attack, and stay in control even in tough, tight rallies.