Good footwork starts with a wide base. Too narrow and you’ll find yourself taking many, smaller steps.
Then split stepping- working on landing right at your opponent’s contact.
It takes hard work to time the landing. You have to watch your shot travel away from you, watch the opponent’s racket and to hear contact. when all three things come together, you need to be landing. This also helps with anticipating your opponent’s shot.
Now you’ve seen and heard contact and your feet are primed to move... you now know where the ball will be and thus where you must run to. and yes i said run. with big, long sprinter’s strides.
Then you can take small ‘brake’ steps if necessary to get still and balanced.
Hit your shot, then take big, fast crossover strides back to your recovery spot getting ready to split step once again.
Getting your eyes, ears, and feet working together will get you to the ball earlier, faster, and more athletically so you can hit more good shots.