1st in a series on the psychology of winning Winners have more awareness than the average person. They are well aware of how little they really know about anything in their world. They are eager to learn, especially about their own impact on their quality of life. Winners display positive self-awareness. Positive self-awareness is self-honesty. … More Positive Self Awareness
Examining the psychology of winning, we can compare life to a game, but it’s not like a game of football. In life there are no time-outs, no substitutions and the clock is always running. Most people think life is a practice game with the “big play” or “Super “Bowl” coming up at the end of … More The Psychology of Winning
I was listening to an interview with Tsitsipas after he lost to Djokovic at the 2021 French Open. He said after Djokovic came back from a bathroom break, he was facing a different player. The reporter asked him what specifically was different about Djokovic. Tsitsipas said he seemed to “know exactly where I was going … More Fear
5th in a series on countering styles Big serve attackers build their game around holding serve – by hitting aces or big serves followed by short return put- aways. Their mindset is on pressuring the opponent by not getting their service games broken . This way they only need to break serve once per set … More Big Serve Attackers
4th in a series on countering styles There are two types of attacking styles in tennis: Net rushers and Big Servers. Net Rushers apply pressure by going to the net as often as possible. They get to the net by serving and volleying, coming in off 2nd serves ,or short balls. They rely on the … More Net Rusher Attackers
3rd in a series on countering styles Big forehand baseliners like to dictate rather than react. They are always looking for a short ball to attack. They do this by running around the backhand to hit big forehands. They usually have good serves, and some have good backhands, but they prefer to win points with … More Big Forehand Baseliners
Second in a series on Countering Styles The heavy topspin player will wear you down until you lose patience looking for quick winners or attacking the net without rushing or unbalancing him first. Most of them like to camp out in the backhand corner hitting big forehands. They usually hit with a lot of spin, … More HEAVY TOPSPIN BASELINERS
“Death kills us once. Fear kills us over and over again” – General Patton “Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when you’re scared” – General Omar Bradley Fear is the one thing that holds most athletes back from reaching their full potential. Some call fear “the thief of dreams”. Yet fear is a … More Courage: 6th in the series, “The Ingredients to Becoming Successful”
“Pressure creates tension, and when you’re tense you want to get the task over and done with as fast as possible. The more you hurry in, the worse you probably will play, which leads to even heavier pressure.” Jack Nicklaus When players perform under pressure, they may experience stress, panic, and anxiety. Most players react … More Performing Under Pressure: 5th in the series, The Ingredients to Becoming Successful””
Competition by its nature triggers a lot of thoughts and internal dialogue. It also triggers a lot of emotions ranging from joy and excitement to fear, frustration, anger, and disappointment. Thoughts and emotions are at the root of most of our actions and behavior and therefore have a profound effect on our performance. Controlling thoughts … More Control: 4th in a series of articles on “The Ingredients to Becoming Successful”
Rhythm & Flow Tennis 