What Tennis Players Can Learn From Steph Curry’s Training

Steph with Roger and Novak

One of the most fascinating athletes to study outside of tennis is Stephen Curry.

Yes, he’s a basketball player.

But if you watch how he trains, how he practices, and how he builds his skill set, you’ll realize something quickly:

Steph Curry trains like a tennis player.

His workouts revolve around precision, repetition, movement, and decision-making under fatigue — all things that matter tremendously in tennis.

For players chasing improvement, Curry’s approach offers a blueprint.

1. Skill Work Comes Before Everything

One of the biggest mistakes young athletes make is focusing on strength or conditioning before mastering skill.

Steph Curry does the opposite.

His training sessions are built around thousands of skill repetitions.

Drills include:

• shooting while moving

• shooting after fatigue

• shooting off balance

• shooting under pressure

  
  

Tennis players should think the same way.

Instead of simply hitting balls, players should train with intention:

• cross-court patterns• down-the-line control• depth targets• movement into the shot

Skill training must come first.

2. Game Speed Repetition

Steph rarely practices slowly.

Even in drills, he moves at game pace.

He shoots while sprinting, turning, pivoting, and reacting.

Tennis players must train the same way.

Many players rally comfortably in practice but struggle during matches because they never trained at true match intensity.

A better practice structure includes:

• live movement drills

• directional patterns

• point-based games

  
  

Every drill should feel like a piece of a real match.

I have designed specific drills to emulate each direction a player must move when hitting the ball. In addition, mixing up feeds and targets to simulate match play "chaos"

3. Footwork Is Everything

Watch Steph Curry closely and you’ll notice something.

Before the shot ever leaves his hands, his feet are already perfect.

Balance, positioning, and rhythm allow him to shoot consistently from long range.

In tennis, the same principle applies.

The difference between a good shot and a great shot usually comes down to footwork and spacing.

Players should focus on:

• quick adjustment steps

• staying light on their feet

• creating space to swing freely

  
  

When the feet are right, the shot becomes easy.

4. Train Under Fatigue

Another trademark of Curry’s workouts is that many shots happen after intense movement.

He trains his body to perform skill under fatigue.

Tennis players must do the same.

Many matches are decided not by technique but by who can execute late in the third set.

Examples of fatigue drills include:

• 20-ball rally drills• sprint-recover-hit patterns• crosscourt games to 11

The goal is to learn how to stay technically sound when the legs are tired.

5. Joy and Creativity

One thing that stands out about Steph Curry is how much joy he brings to the game.

He plays freely.

He experiments.

He enjoys the process.

For young tennis players, this is important.

Improvement doesn’t come from grinding alone — it comes from developing a love for the game.

Players who enjoy training tend to:

• practice longer

• stay curious

• develop creative solutions

And that’s often what separates great players from the rest.

Final Thought

Steph Curry may not play tennis, but the principles behind his training translate perfectly to the court.

Precision. Repetition. Movement. Confidence.

For tennis players looking to improve, studying how great athletes train — even in other sports — can provide valuable insight.

Because greatness in sport often follows the same formula.

And sometimes the best lessons for tennis can come from watching a basketball player shoot from thirty feet away. Thank you Steph Curry for being the consummate professional and a real joy to watch perform and train.