We worked very hard, played very well and we won the first set. We then went out and worked very hard for the first four games in the second set. We are up 3-1. suddenly the end of the match is in sight.

This usually is a dangerous time for most players.

What do we do what we find ourselves in a winning position in a match?

We tend to start to think about the outcome - winning the match. We start to think about how good it would be to beat this person. There are many examples, even at an elite level when players admit they started thinking of winning the match. If it is a major final, some players start thinking about the speech and who they should thank. Some players think about the trophy, maybe photos with the trophy.

These thoughts are the worst thoughts you can have at this time.

There are actually two things going on at this time.

* you are focusing on an outcome

* you start to defend your win

Let’s look at the both in more detail

Error 1 - Focusing on an outcome

Fact: You cannot act on an outcome. You can only act on the process to achieve that outcome.

What do I mean by this? If all you have in your mind is of the outcome you are no longer thinking about how to achieve that outcome. You may be only three games away from winning the match, all three points for that matter. However, you must concentrate playing those points and games to achieve the outcome.

Therefore, you must focus on process oriented goals, not outcome oriented goals.

Examples of process oriented goals are:

* Make this return

* Look for the short ball

* Win next point at the net

Error 2 - Defending the lead

Suddenly, the a win in your grasp. Many players at this point start to defend their lead. Players start to wait for the match to be given to them. They wait for their opponent to make unforced errors, they hope the opponent serves double faults. Often the player in the lead will play more conservatively, they will take the pace off the ball and play closer to the middle of the court to allow more room for error.

There are so many reasons why this is the wrong thing to do.

Firstly you should never change a winning game. Playing like this is not the strategy that got you in the lead therefore, it will not keep you in the lead.

Second. Your opponent has very little to lose and everything to gain. Therefore, they usually start playing more relaxed and going to their shots. It only takes them a few points, a game or two and their spirits could be lifted. They might think they have a chance of winning this match. (Refer to my article about momentum for a more in-depth discussion about this)

Thirdly. Playing negatively is a recipe for disaster. If you need to remember the words from that Midnight Oil song “it is better to die on your feet than live on your knees”. keep your chin up and play positively.

So, what do you do?

ATTACK THE WIN

Play positively and go after the match.

Do not wait for the match to be given to you.

Go and take what you deserve.

Think about think you can act on like

- on match point win the point at the net

- make every return for the rest of the match

- hit every volley crosscourt

Anything to keep your mind on the PROCESS of winning not the OUTCOME of winning.

Enjoy and let me know your thoughts !!

Play Tennis To Win !

Michael

Ok, the title is not entirely true - however the point is DO NOT think TOO much during the match.

During the match is the time to EXECUTE everything that you have thought about before the match.

What am I talking about?? Ok. Before a match you would have trained and practiced. You would have worked on your technique across all your shots. You would have found great rythm on your serve and ground strokes. You also should have developed a clear plan / strategy on how you are going to play this match. Plan A and Plan B.

Do you see what I refer to when I say THINKING? During a match is the time to EXECUTE all these things. Forget about technique, you can not change that in a match. Forget about rhythm - it is your opponents objective to ensure you get no rhythm! Also forget about strategy.. it is pretty tough to work out a solid plan when you are in the middle of a match. Before the match is the time for that.

So, during the match you are relaxed and free to only think about executing your PLAN to beat this opponent. Focus on your plan, have confidence in your plan and most importantly STICK TO IT. Give your plan time to work.

So many people come into a match with a plan and then get discouraged because they are down in the first set. They go to plan B, which also fails.. What happens then? Then they are totally lost. When you are totally lost you are hitting balls aimlessly and points have less meaning. Then what do you start to think of? …. Technique, or creating plan C. During that time, game after game is slipping away and ultimately the match.

IF you PREPARE your plan well, be confident to EXECUTE it. Sometimes your plan may take a few games or set to take effect.

THINK before a match EXECUTE during the match..

Michael

Ok, firstly anxiety and nerves are slightly different things.
Anxiety is where you are looking forward to achieving a particular outcome in the future. The frustrating part about anxiety is that you are basically waiting for a ‘time’ to achieve it. For example a match on the weekend, in a few hours etc. Usually anxiety goes away once the match has started and you are able to do something about the outcome.
During a match or just before anxiety is usually replaced by nerves. So, what are these nerves? A definition of nerves is: ‘the gap between what needs to be done and what you believe you can do’.

Nerves are good - it mean that you care about the outcome !
Again, ‘what needs to be done’ - beat this opponent, play strong, volley well, work out how to beat someone.
The next part - ‘what you believe you can do’ - can you beat this opponent, play well etc. The closer your ‘belief’ on your ability to ‘achieve’ what needs to be done the less nerves you should have…. Never thought about it that way? The nerves are proportional to the size of the gap! Examples
If you are confident you can beat someone you might be slightly anxious to do it - but not nervous.

If you think you are going to loose, and are sure you can achieve loosing well you wont be nervous. (being negative - but proving a point)

If you are playing a good player of similar standard however you are feeling a little rusty, well you might feel nervous about how you will perform on the day.
How do you reduce nervousness?? Increase confidence. How do you increase confidence? Be confident in your preparation leading into the match. Your fitness, technique, routines etc.

If you are well prepared, confident with what you have done before the match you should be less nervous.
Preparation is something you can work on to reduce anxiety ! It makes you already in control of the outcome - preparing yourself. Now do you see how they fit together?? Interesting…

There also other tips for confidence like strategy and mental rehersal - that is going to be in another article!!

Have a great day !! Michael

For singles players The Tennis Court can become a lonely place. There are so many things going on out there and it is left to you to process them all and work out what to do.

Well here is a tip. Pretend, in your mind that your towel is your new best friend and coach. Take him or her with you all over the court.

Your towel follows you down each end of the court and every time you need a chat do it! (You can actually wipe your face and forearms with it too !)

It may sound strange, but by talking to your towel - probably not too loud - you are actually talking to your self, and having to construct your thoughts in a coherent way. Therefore the jumbled ideas in your head become clearer. Listening to yourself or asking yourself questions, you WILL give your self answers.

There is a great book called ‘The Inner Game of Tennis’ and early in the book it talks about Self One and Self Two.

You become the player and the coach. Talk about what to do next, if you are feeling tired etc. IT is also a way for you to ‘vent’ and become more relaxed afterward.

By talking to the towel you start to ask the coach in you clear questions and YOU WILL get answers. Remember not to talk too loud, maybe you dont need to actually say anything out loud, but just go through the process and see how that goes !

Thanks for listening and keep the feedback coming in.. It is great to hear !!

Michael