TOUGHING IT OUT

I have never really considered tennis as a seriously “thinking” game. But I have recently found out how important it is to be mentally tough at some of the matches.

When you are down– having lost the first set and in the process of losing the second set- is that the time to get mentally tough? Yes, indeed it is. How do you get mentally tough? You have to think about all those endless drills you have gone to. You have to think about all those comments the pro tells you during those endless drills. He/She is not talking or telling you things just to hear themselves talk! They are saying things that MEAN something. Find the back of the ball! Find the bottom of the ball. Watch the ball!!!

If and when the decision is made that you are not going to lose this match, that’s when the mental toughness really sets in. Every single point counts. Every time you hit the ball; it has to have a purpose. Where are you going to put it? How are you going to set your partner up? How are you going to set the point up? Where are you planning on putting that ball when you hit it?

Watch the ball come off the opponent’s racket! Are you READY for the next ball? Gosh, there are so many things that require the brain to concentrate on before, during and after each and every point.

Have you ever lost a match and just thought how horribly you played? Or have you ever lost a match and came off the court thinking that you really played well; they just played better. Lost the important points, but sometimes it happens.

Mental toughness. It’s a real thing. There is never a time to relax when playing a league match. Even if you are up 5-2–that’s the KISS OF DEATH. Never relax.

Mental toughness. Every point. Every game.

Who thought tennis would be such a thinking game? Took me a long time to figure it out!

Let’s take it to the net ladies.