Using Mental Toughness To Improve Your Tennis Game
Mental toughness is an asset to your tennis game. Have you ever lost your composure after making a silly mistake? Have you doubted yourself when you’re losing in a match?
Most tennis players at some point or another have struggled with mental game challenges such as focus, composure or confidence during matches.
Although many tennis players face these mental game challenges during matches, many don’t see the importance of mental training. Some doubt whether or not mental training can be helpful.
We received the following question from a tennis coach:
“How can I make players see the value/importance of developing mental toughness?”
Players may not want to work on their mental game because they think mental toughness is something players are born with.
Mental toughness is a learned skill, just as your physical skills.
Your players didn’t learn how to serve a kick serve overnight. It’s the same idea with mental training.
Roger Federer talks about losing his composure early on in his career as a junior. Federer has learned how to harness his emotions.
Currently, Federer is known for being one of the most composed, mentally tough players out there. Mental training is just another form of training and is advantage over your competition.
Many top tennis players talk about the value of mental toughness including Serena Williams.
“I was really mentally tough out there. I wouldn’t give into anything. The first set, I wanted to come out strong and tough, and I did. It’s not that I was actually hitting really hard out there; I was just really mentally focused because I didn’t want to go down. I worked hard, too. I wanted to have an opportunity myself,” said Serena Williams.
Another challenge for coaches is to help their players view mental toughness as a valuable for all players. Some players think that mental toughness is for “problem” athletes. They don’t want to work on their mental game because they think it’s a sign of weakness.
The fact is that all tennis players can improve their mental game. Players with mental toughness can tap into their mental strengths so they can stay composed when losing or keep playing well when on a roll.
You can also use the resources at Sports Psychology for Tennis to help your athletes recognize the importance of a strong mental game. You can use articles or quotes from players to start a discussion on the mental game.
Related Tennis Psychology Articles
- Why Improve Your Mental Toughness Skills
- Mental Toughness Over Mistakes
- Vasilis Mazarakis on Mental Toughness in Tennis
- Download our a FREE Tennis Psychology Report
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My name is Pratim Parekh. I have just started coaching before i use to play at a very good level but because of lot of drawbacks i had to discontinue. but know i have started coaching and have my own Tennis academy and have 5 to 6 couple of advance kids they all play well but mentally are very weak,so i need your help how to give them mental training?
I suggest you look into Tennis Confidence: Mental Toughness for Tournament Players.
Patrick Cohn