Can You Improve Your Serve After 50 Without Changing Your Grip? | Ian Westermann

Can You Improve Your Serve After 50 Without Changing Your Grip? | Ian Westermann

Author: Mike Rogers - Founder of Senior Tennis Unpacked September 29, 2026 Duration: 28:26

👉 Go Deeper with Coaches and Pros Who Actually Know Senior Tennis https://www.skool.com/senior-tennis-unpacked-8081 

Can you improve your tennis serve after 50 without changing your grip? In this episode of Insider’s Playbook, Ian Westermann joins Mike Rogers to analyze video of a player whose serve was limited by a shallow racket drop. Ian shows her original motion, the changes she made during a lesson, and why he chose to work on her racket position before considering a grip change.

You’ll see how Ian uses video feedback and a step-by-step progression to help the player move from shadow swings to hitting serves. He also explains why an improved motion in practice may disappear when a ball is introduced, and what it takes to carry a technical change into match play. If you’re a tennis player over 50 looking to improve your serve, this conversation offers a close look at how one coach approaches the process.

Ian Westermann founded Essential Tennis to help recreational players improve through online coaching. Through its instructional courses and YouTube videos, he teaches players how to understand their strokes and build better habits on the court. He is also the author of Essential Tennis: Improve Faster, Play Smarter, and Win More Matches, a book about the process of improving your game.

5 key takeaways

  • A shallow racket drop can limit how much energy you put into the serve
  • Changing your grip may help, but it is not always the best first step
  • Video feedback can reveal the gap between what your serve feels like and what it actually does
  • A new motion may disappear as soon as a ball is introduced, so build up to hitting in stages
  • To carry a change into matches, you need enough practice repetitions to make the new motion familiar

 

Contact Ian Westermann:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/EssentialTennis

Ian’s Book: https://www.essentialtennis.com/book

Progressions List: https://essentialtennis.com/progressions.pdf

 

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Coming Up - Show Intro

01:12 How a shallow racket drop limits your serve

05:01 Why Ian did not change her grip

13:10 What video reveals about your serve

15:02 Why the old motion returns when a ball appears

18:44 Building a new serve that holds up in matches

26:49 Show Wrap Up

  

#TennisServe #TennisOver50 #SeniorTennis #EssentialTennis


For competitive tennis players over fifty, the game evolves. The desire to win remains sharp, but the path to victory requires a different map. Insider's Playbook: Smart Strategies for Competitive Senior Tennis Players Over 50 is that essential guide. Hosted by Mike Rogers, a seasoned senior tournament competitor and the founder of Senior Tennis Unpacked, this podcast digs into the nuanced realities of competing later in life. You won't find generic tips here. Instead, each conversation is a deep dive into the specific strategic adjustments, physical maintenance, and mental conditioning that give seasoned players a tangible edge. Mike brings on elite coaches who understand the senior athlete, national champions who are still dominating their age brackets, and performance experts focused on longevity. They unpack real, actionable strategies for everything from point construction and recovery to managing pressure during a tight third-set tiebreak. This is for players who analyze their matches, who know their strengths, and who are looking for that next piece of the puzzle to outsmart and outlast their opponents. Tune in to hear candid discussions that feel like a locker room talk with the most knowledgeable players and minds in senior tennis, all dedicated to helping you compete longer, smarter, and with more success.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Insider's Playbook:  Smart Strategies for Competitive Senior Tennis Players Over 50
Podcast Episodes
Tennis Over 50: How to Rebuild After Injury or Setback I Jeff Jacklich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:04
Setbacks are inevitable in Senior Tennis, especially in tennis over 50 where injuries, surgeries, and emotional swings are part of the competitive journey. In this episode, Jeff Jacklich explains that real recovery is no…
The #1 Doubles Formation for Players Over 50 I Will Boucek [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:03
Is the I-Formation killing your legs? In this strategy session, doubles expert Will Boucek explains why traditional pro-level tactics might be hurting your senior game—and what you should do instead.We break down the Aus…
Secrets to Coaching Senior Tennis Players Over 50 I Jeff Jacklich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:42
In this episode of Insider's Playbook, discover effective winning tennis strategies for coaching senior tennis players over 50. Veteran coach and competitor Jeff Jacklich shares his expertise on navigating the unique cha…
Tennis Over 50: Exercises to Play Forever I Ben Wolfe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:53
In this episode of Insider's Playbook, host Mike Rogers speaks with performance coach Ben Wolfe about the essential warm-up routines for senior tennis players. They discuss the importance of dynamic stretching, engaging…