How Long Does it Take you to Settle in a Tennis Match?
Have there been times when you couldn’t find your stride from the first serve?
Many tennis players feel they need to work themselves into the match. These players often find themselves losing the first set and their confidence.
Often, a sense of panic sets in, and they make an increased number of unforced errors. From that point, their performance spirals downwards.
Setting the tone for a match is crucial for success. Not only does it help you dictate the pace of the match, but it also sends a message to your opponent that they will have a tough time beating you and gives you a mental edge.
Another advantage of setting the tone from the first serve is sending a message to yourself that you are prepared to battle for every point.
This mindset boosts your confidence and allows you to take more risks during the match. Setting the tone for a tennis match requires three elements:
1. Mindset – You must have an aggressive attitude and commit to setting the pace early in the match.
2. Preparation – Preparation starts from the moment you arrive at the event. In the locker room, begin transitioning into your competitive mindset.
During warm-up, you should prepare to implement your match strategy, so you are fully ready to execute your plan from the first point.
3. Training – Practice is the time to hone your mindset. Every time you practice, you should train your mind to compete with the same tenacity you want to play with during competitive matches.
When you have the mindset of setting the pace early, each shot becomes purposeful, every point is a mini-battle, and every moment is an opportunity to assert your dominance.
At the 2025 Miami Open, Emma Raducanu beat Amanda Anisimova, 6-1, 6-3, to reach her first quarterfinals at the tournament.
Raducanu got off to a slow start for the 2025 season, but seemed to find a renewed confidence and mentality on the court.
RADUCANU: “I’m really proud of how I, from the first point, was there for every ball, working really hard for the points.”
Raducanu approaches her matches as if she can handle anything and looks to set the tone for the match as soon as she steps on the court.
RADUCANU: “For me, the biggest thing I’m proud of is just finding the competitive spirit… I think that’s the biggest win for me is just feeling a lot of hunger, feeling on the court competitive, wanting to run down every ball… I think I’m walking onto the court knowing that I’m going to be there for every point, every ball. So far, that’s really worked.”
How you start a match can determine how you battle through and finish the match. Waiting to find your rhythm can cost you not just a set but your confidence.
By setting the tone from the first point, you take control of the match and give yourself a mental edge over your opponent.
Visualization is a powerful mental tool before matches. Before every match, mentally rehearse your first game.
Visualize yourself playing aggressively, going for your shots, and hitting winners.When the match begins, you will have that “been there, done that” feeling and feel comfortable executing your match strategy.
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