Who is the most formidable opponent you ever faced?
You may think of a rival who seems to get the best of you, a player you have never beaten, or a top-ranked opponent.
Highly skilled opponents can be tough challenges on the court. However, the toughest battle is often not a specific player; it’s the battle within yourself.
Tennis is as much mental as it is physical. Your mind can be a friend or foe. Your mind can work for you or against you. No matter your opponent, your mind impacts your performance level.
Think about the following examples:
* Example #1: You just double-faulted and lost the first set. You can become frustrated and angry, or you can mentally reset to regain your focus and maintain your poise
Your response is decided within your mind. If you allow your emotions to get the best of you, you will continue to make mistakes, and your emotions will intensify
On the other hand, if you let go of the last shot, reset mentally, and immerse yourself in your pre-shot routine, you significantly improve your chances of winning the next point.
* Example #2: The weather is hot and humid as you head into the third set. You are sweaty and tired. Yet, your opponent seems energetic. You can focus on your tiredness, or you can focus on creating a strategy for the upcoming shot.
If you focus on how tired you feel, you will be mentally exhausted and physically sluggish. You will play less aggressively and not run down the balls you usually go for.
Conversely, if you take several deep breaths between points and use positive self-talk such as “I can overcome anything,” you will feel energized and confident.
Your opponent is not influencing your performance.
It’s your mind that is dictating your play.
At the 2024 US Open, Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 3 seed, was upset in the second round by 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.
Despite having a successful season, winning the French Open, Wimbledon, and the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Alcaraz admittedly allowed his mind to interfere with his performance.
ALCARAZ: “It was a fight against myself, in my mind, during the match. In tennis, you are playing against someone that wants the same as you, to win the match. And you have to be as … calm as you can, just to think better in the match and try to do good things. Today, I was playing against the opponent, and I was playing against myself in my mind. A lot of emotions that I couldn’t control.”
Winning the battle within is the first step in winning tennis matches, building consistency in your game, and living up to your potential.
Remember, actions speak louder than words. Saying you want to be mentally stronger does little. Any significant athletic goal, including winning the inner battle, requires planning, training, and purposeful action.
Related Tennis Psychology Articles
- Tennis Mind Games: Do You Crave Approval?
- Tennis Mind Games and Juniors Who Cheat
- Your Mindset and Legacy in Tennis
- Download our a FREE Tennis Psychology Report
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