As a tennis player, you're familiar with the feeling: you're ahead in the match and you think victory is within reach. Or you find yourself in a tough situation, where fatigue and doubt creep in. These are crucial moments where mental resilience can make the difference between winning and losing. This is exactly what I experienced in a recent tournament I played, and I thought it would be valuable to share insights with you in this blog. I'll share two important mental tips to keep your game at a high level when things are going well or to boost it when needed.
Tip 1: How to Maintain Good Play When Leading
In my first tennis match, I found myself in a promising position: leading 7-6 and 3-1.
At that moment, it's tempting to think that victory is within reach. However, that thought can be a trap. I also began to believe that I already had the victory...
So, what should you do when you think the win is already yours?
The key is to learn to switch your thoughts. What you think affects your behavior. If you think victory is already close, you risk (over)relaxing and becoming sloppy, which can quickly erode your lead.
What to do in such a situation:
Recognize that you're thinking victory is near.
Speak to yourself firmly: "If you think you're almost there, then you're only halfway." Stay focused and take every point seriously.
Every time that thought arises again, repeat steps 1 and 2.
Tip 2: How to Maintain Good Play When You Think There's Nothing Left to Gain
In my last tennis match (here's the link if you want to watch it) , I found myself in a difficult situation. I was experiencing muscle soreness and was behind against an opponent who seemed young and fit.
At that moment, I thought there was nothing left to gain, that I was exhausted and couldn't go on.
But precisely at such moments, it's important to maintain the right mindset. Thinking that there's nothing left to gain doesn't help. That thought only leads to negative behavior and poor results.
So, what should you do when you're thinking about giving up?
What helped me to fight back:
Recognize the thought of giving up.
Speak to yourself firmly: "If you think you're almost there (read: think you're exhausted), then you're only halfway."
Realize that there's always more possible, even when you're tired, and reapply steps 1 and 2 when this occurs again.
It's fascinating how the same mindset shift can be applied in different situations. Whether in maintaining a lead or dealing with fatigue and adversity, mental resilience is essential.
The importance of physical fitness should not be underestimated. Good conditioning not only helps you handle physical challenges better but also supports your mental strength. So, work on your physical condition by doing tennis-specific workouts. This will not only improve your game but also increase your mental resilience.
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