Often when players practice, they play exactly the same way they would play a match. Consequently, one of the two players gets a lousy warm-up with no consistency or repetition. If you go watch the pros practice, they hit hundreds of balls back and forth to each other. The school of thought is that if you can hit a ball to someone, you could probably hit it anywhere. As a player goes out day to day and practices correctly, he or she becomes rhythmic and efficient. Most player do not lose point because they cannot get to the ball, but rather more often they get to the ball and make an error. Once the practice involves point play, then play exactly as you would in a real match. (For example, serve and volley, go for winners, etc.)

For the sake of enjoying tennis and keeping your practice partner and possibly friend, understand the difference between practice and playing. Try hitting to each other, in practice, from different areas of the court performing many strokes, i.e., crosscourt, down the line, volley to volley, etc. When you get into a match situation, you will already be used to your shot coming back, and you will not be surprised when it does.

Surprisingly, points do not last long. You can reach a tremendous level of fitness by hitting steadily to each other over a longer period versus running/retrieving over a very short period with no rallies. Many players, as they get older, find this method of practicing very enjoyable and great for conditioning. It is also relaxing and much less competitive.

Remember, if someone sees you practicing like this, they are often soon to follow your example. Enjoy the game. Hit a lot of balls.

Good luck on the courts!