A common mental tennis challenge is that young players get trapped in a training mentality, which cause them to over-thinking or over-analyze their technique during matches. The problem starts in practice when you spend too much time in the practice mindset working on your strokes. Part of this training is critical to your improvement, but you don’t want to get trapped in a training mindset when you play. At the advanced or expert stage of learning, your skills become well-learned, which allows you to play virtually on autopilot. With a well-learned forehand, you can make a good stroke without […]
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24
Jan
2011
Andy Roddick Performs in a Trusting Mindset
13
Dec
2010
Playing Beyond Your Comfort Zone
We received the following question from an athlete: “What do you think happens when you have the upper hand and still lose the game, and you know you are beating yourself?” Many athletes don’t perform their best when they have a big lead because they play within their comfort zone. What is a comfort zone? A comfort zone based on how you expect to perform. Comfort zones are challenging when you are playing better than expected. What do you think is happening with my mental focus?” When performing inside your comfort zone you will likely play tentatively to avoid […]
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12
Nov
2010
What is Mental Toughness?
A quality of mind or intellect characterized by a refusal to be intimidated, a determination to finish a contest even when things are going badly, and an ability to control emotions and remain highly focused when under the pressure of intense competition. Mentally tough athletes have a psychological edge that enables them to be more consistent, determined, focused, confident, resilient, and in control under pressure.
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29
Sep
2010
Wimbledon 2010
History was made at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, when John Isner and Nicolas Mahut battled on the court for a record 11 hours, 5 minutes spread over three days. Both players displayed remarkable mental toughness throughout the match, but Inser took the victory 70-68 in the fifth set. “It was the will to win. Not that I outwilled him; I mean, obviously, he gave it his all,” Isner said. Reasonably, both men were wiped out when it was all said and done. Isner “was incoherent” for 20 minutes, according to his coach, Craig Boynton. “We played the greatest match […]
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24
Sep
2010
Nadal’s Aggressive Approach at the US Open
Before the U.S Open, ESPN tennis analyst Brad Gilbert stated that “a win in New York gives Rafael Nadal the best season ever by a man.” On September 12, Nadal did just that, becoming the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to win three consecutive Grand Slam titles. However, winning in New York wasn’t an easy feat for Nadal. He’s the No. 1-ranked player in the world, but until Sunday, he had never reached the final of the U.S. Open.”It’s one of the most important tournaments — for me, probably the most important,” said Nadal. When asked to […]
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19
Sep
2010
Rafael Nadal Relies Confidence to Win
To compete at the top of your game you need to have confidence in your ability to succeed. Number 1 ranked tennis pro, Rafael Nadal understands the importance of confidence to win tournaments and succeed in tennis. “I rely on my confidence to help me win,” said Nadal, “You have to be confidence to play well on match days.” Having confidence offers you an advantage over your competitors because confident athletes play more relaxed, focused, and aggressive. Nadal knows that if he doesn’t confident on match day he is at a disadvantage. “I am not playing good this week because […]
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