ACECUT GUIDES
How to Record Tennis Matches for Better Highlights
Make the next edit easier before the first serve.
Choose a fixed view behind the baseline
Start behind the baseline with the camera aimed toward the center of the court. Frame both baselines, the sidelines and enough space for players moving beyond them. A stable view makes it easier to follow the rally than handheld footage that chases the ball. Place the camera where it will not obstruct players or adjacent courts.
Check the frame with players in position
Before recording a full match, have someone stand near each baseline and move toward the sidelines. Check that their racket and the ball stay within the frame. If the near player blocks too much of the court, adjust the camera position and test again. Avoid an extremely wide view that makes the far player and ball too small to see.
Record and replay a short test rally
Film a few serves and exchanges, then watch the clip on your phone. Look for a visible ball, steady framing and both players staying in view. Check whether a fence, glare or deep shadow obscures play. A short test is more useful than discovering after a match that the camera was focused on the fence.
Prepare the phone for a long recording
Check available storage and battery before you start. Secure the phone or camera so wind or a ball impact will not easily move it, and check the setup between sets. If the device becomes hot or stops recording, let it recover and confirm that the next recording actually starts. Keep the original files until you have checked the highlights.
Landscape framing and vertical sharing
A landscape recording can help keep the whole court visible. A vertical crop for a social post may remove a player or the end of a shot, so review the destination app’s preview before publishing. If the crop loses the point, keep a wider view rather than sacrificing the action.
Bring the footage into AceCut
Stable, clear singles footage is the starting point described in AceCut’s recording guidance. Import your video, browse the rally clips and review their boundaries before making an edit. Follow the iPhone tennis highlights guide for selecting rallies and exporting a reel. For a visible ball trail, read how the ball tracer fits into an edit.