Want to build mental toughness on the tennis court? Here's what you need to know.
Players' minds can go in many directions during matches. They might focus on negative thoughts, lose their concentration, or feel the weight of competition.
Here are the 3 key mental skills every tennis player needs:
Focus Control: Keep your mind on what's happening now - the next point, your breathing, or your serve routine.
Emotional Management: Stay steady after winning or losing points. Here's what Dr. Larry Lauer from USTA Player and Coach Development says:
"To be successful in any endeavor, one must be disciplined to stay process-oriented to achieve a desired end result."
Match Mindset: Stop obsessing about wins and start focusing on getting better.
Want to build these skills? Start here:
Here's what Aleks Szymanski, Co-Founder of Tennisletics and Certified Mental Coach™, says:
"Losses should always be used as learning tools to help players improve for future matches."
For Vienna's amateur players, Tennis-Liga offers matches against others at their level. It's perfect for practicing mental skills in real games while meeting local players.
Bottom line: Practice these mental skills every day, not just during matches. Pick one skill and master it before moving to the next.
Here's how to build mental toughness on the tennis court:
Power Up Your Self-Talk Switch negative thoughts to positive ones. Instead of "Don't miss", say "Hit deep." When you're tired, tell yourself "I can push through." Use these phrases between points to boost your confidence.
Practice in Your Mind Spend 10 minutes before practice visualizing great tennis. See yourself hitting clean shots. Feel the perfect strokes. Your brain can't tell the difference between real and imagined practice - use this to your advantage.
Lock In Your Focus Tennis matches are long. Break them into single points. When your mind wanders:
Control Your Emotions Create a 15-second reset routine:
Get Match-Ready Follow this pre-match plan:
Set Smart Goals Focus on three levels:
Master Your Breathing Use the 4-4-4 technique between games:
Learn From Losses After each defeat:
Build Your Trust Bank Start with your best shot under pressure. As you improve, add more shots you trust in tough moments.
"The mental side of tennis is just as important as the physical." - Bradfordville Sports Blog
For Vienna's players, Tennis-Liga matches are perfect for testing these mental skills. Each match helps build stronger mental game.
Here's how to build your mental game - both on and off the court:
Start each practice with this 5-minute mental prep:
"Tennis should be fun. Treat tennis as a game." - Dr. Patrick J. Cohn, Master Mental Game Coach
Here's what helps:
Tennis is just as much about your mind as your muscles. Here's how to build your mental game:
Daily Mental Training
Your mind needs practice, just like your serve. Here's what works:
"Mental toughness isn't built overnight; it requires dedication and practice just like any other aspect of your game." - Salvador Enciso, Tennis Coach
Make It Work
Building mental strength takes time. But stick with it - you'll see the difference both on and off the court.
