Imagine this: a tiny, spinning projectile hurtles towards you at highway speeds, and you've got less than a second to react. Welcome to the high-stakes world of elite tennis footwork, where split-second decisions and lightning-fast movements separate the champions from the rest. But here's the kicker: it's not just about speed; it's about precision, balance, and a mind that calculates geometry on the fly.
In the heat of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, players like World No. 2 Iga Swiatek and rising star Coco Gauff demonstrate why footwork is the unsung hero of their success. While fans marvel at powerful serves and blistering forehands, the pros know the truth: without flawless footwork, those highlight-reel shots simply wouldn’t happen. It’s the foundation, the root system that allows everything else to flourish.
Consider this: a top player might scramble to retrieve over 20,000 balls in a single year, covering a court that spans more than 10,000 cubic feet. That’s not just exhausting—it’s a testament to the sheer athleticism and mental acuity required. And this is the part most people miss: footwork isn’t just about moving; it’s about positioning, anticipation, and creating the perfect space between body and ball.
Take Simona Halep, a two-time Grand Slam champion who stands at just 5-foot-6. She credits her footwork for compensating for her lack of height, allowing her to recover quickly and turn defense into offense. Or Jasmine Paolini, nicknamed “Scooter” for her Vespa-like agility on the court. Her doubles partner, Sara Errani, puts it bluntly: “If you’re smaller, it’s more important—because you have to do more.”
But footwork isn’t just about size or speed. It’s about coordination, balance, and the ability to improvise under pressure. Coco Gauff’s coach, Jean-Christophe Faurel, emphasizes that “footwork and quickness are two different things.” You can be fast, but if your feet aren’t in the right place, your technique suffers. It’s a delicate dance, one that even the best players must constantly refine.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Is footwork more important than technique? Some coaches, like Faurel, argue that it’s the foundation upon which all else is built. Others, like Bjorn Fratangelo, focus on efficiency—covering the court with fewer, more precise steps. Players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are redefining what’s possible, moving with a borderline-perfect blend of speed and economy.
Then there’s Iga Swiatek, whose footwork is nothing short of art. She glides, lunges, and adjusts with a deceptive ease, turning defense into offense in the blink of an eye. But is her style the gold standard, or is there room for different approaches? Chris Evert, an 18-time major champion, compares it to a tree: “It starts with the roots. You’ve got to have quick feet to be a top player these days.”
So, here’s the question for you: Is footwork the most underrated skill in tennis, or is it overhyped compared to other aspects of the game? Let’s spark a debate—what do you think? And while you’re at it, consider this: if footwork is 90 percent of tennis, as Aryna Sabalenka’s coach Anton Dubrov claims, what does that mean for players who rely more on power or strategy? The court is open—serve your thoughts below!
