Tennis winning mentality?

Question

i'm a junior at high school and I've played tennis for 7+ years. despite my experience, i haven't won a single set in the past year. I made the JV team last year but this year I was kicked out of it because I lost most of my matches during tryouts by losing to inept players. since then, i've been losing matches with sets 0-6 or 1-6 consistently.

What can I do to be more patient and strategic when I play? (anything that I can physically do, not just mentally)

How can I gain a winning mentality? every time I lose my service game that I should have won, I tend to give up hope.

What can I do to be more consistent in hitting the ball (other than just putting more spin on the ball).

How do I handle playing against incredibly bad yet fast players who just dink or slice balls back into play?

PLEASE I really need help. My parents are losing more and more confidence in my game and I'd like to show them that I really AM good. Do take this seriously

Answer 1

I have been playing tennis for around 4 years and I sometimes too loose a set or match.

It is completely normal to loose, but You are asking why are you consistently loosing, Yes?

It might be a mental problem, I have analyzed your question and I think you really need to try and focus on the game when on the court and focus on other things after the game, not during the match.

Also you may be struggling since other things are going on.

My brother was an ace player in soccer, until he got a girlfriend he went downhill, this might be your case.

ask yourself this.

Do You have a girlfriend?

Are you and your friends not getting along?

Family problems?

Well I do not want to get into details. But yes maybe some of these things are distractijg you, try and relax and concentrate.

Good luck in future.

Phil

Answer 2

My coach used to say "you can teach great strokes but you can't teach heart. That is something that you have to find within yourself. Find it and use it."

Physically, when playing matches I would suggest going back to basics: remind yourself to bend your knees and watch the ball. As the match goes on and you start to feel a little tension, make a few unforced errors, and you find yourself thinking too much-focus on your technique. Tell yourself to follow through on your strokes , move your feet, and most important of all watch the ball. You can distract yourself from the gravity of the situation by reminding yourself to do basic things.

The winning mentality comes from actually winning. When you start to win more often it'll come to you naturally. It is not uncommon for those feeling pressure to get down on themselves. Slow down and take it one step at a time, one point a time, one set at a time, and one match at a time. Overtime the results will come.

The disappointment that you sense from those around you is not because you lose but because it doesn't appear that you are giving your best. Losing is a part of the game but if you're going to go down, go down swinging. That's how respect is earned and heroes are made.

Answer 3

I suggest you pick up a book by Brad Gilbert called 'Winning Ugly." It deals almost excluseively with the mental aspects of tennis in addition to strategy. It's am easy read, very entertaining and no doubt available at your local library.

   Other than that, ask your former JV coach what he/she thinks you need to improve on. The coach probably knows your game better than anybody on this site who has never seen you play. If the coach is no longer helpful, ask some of the better players you've played what they think you need to work on.

       Finally, and most importantly, go to a reputable local tennis pro ( ask around to get a reccommendation ) and ask him to assess your game. Tell him/her what you have told us here and see what he/she suggests. The pro is probably the best source of information to get your game on track.



       Good luck!