DRIVING YOUR SUCCESS IN TENNIS



Driving Your Success in Tennis: Why Strategy and Mentality Trump Perfect Strokes

Imagine planning a long road trip to another state and you've never made this particular trip before. Your car is ready, but what are the real essentials you'll need for the trip? 

A map to guide you, and the ability to navigate highways, follow routes, and drive within the stressful environment of the motorway. 

Getting to your destination requires knowing
where to go and driving skills


In tennis, many competitive players and their coaches obsess over perfecting their strokes, believing flawless technique is the key to winning matches. That's like polishing your car in the driveway at home every day and expecting that a clean car makes a difference in getting where you want to be, but of course, it doesn't.

Similarly, great strokes don’t suddenly translate to great results. Just like a spotlessly clean car doesn’t guarantee that you will reach your destination, classic strokes won’t win matches without the right strategy and mindset.


The Importance of the Map and Mental Preparation


What you truly need in tennis is a strategic road map and the mental fortitude to execute it. 

Think of your strategy as the GPS that directs you through the twists and turns of competition. It needs to be specific to each opponent.

Your mentality helps you stay focused, and resilient under duress and helps you adapt to the different challenges during the match.

Consider this analogy: if you have 20 neighbours, each with a different make and model of car, but with the same road map and experience driving on highways, they should all be able to reach the same designated destination, regardless of which type of car they were driving. 

Any car will get you there...

Tennis is no different. Every player’s strokes are unique, like those cars. The real difference is each player's ability to put their shots together in a particular way (often called shot selection).  By using effective strategy and possessing strong mental skills, every player can compete successfully.


Shifting Focus in Practice: Targets, Patterns, and Pressure


Now, what does this look like in practice? 

If you adopt the mindset that strategy and mentality are more important than perfect strokes, your practice sessions will transform. Instead of obsessing over how your forehand looks, you’ll focus on hitting specific targets and mastering patterns of play. You’ll approach drills not as technical showcases but as opportunities to simulate match scenarios, concentrating on executing the strategy and pushing yourself to perform under pressure.

Prioritize targets and patterns; just like
a match situation

By prioritizing targets and patterns, you’re training your mind to stay sharp and your game to be adaptable. You’re also teaching yourself to manage the stress of competition, just as a driver learns to handle the intensity of interstate traffic. 

This shift in focus allows you to develop a game that’s effective and resilient, even when conditions are less than perfect.


Embrace the Competitive Journey


Perfect strokes might look good, but without strategy and a strong mindset, they’re just a polished car sitting in the driveway. To truly succeed, players must embrace the journey: plan their route, prepare for the challenges, and focus on what matters when it’s time to perform.


If you're underperforming in competition it may not be your strokes that are letting you down, it could be the mindset you have during competition! You're probably not preparing your mind for the stresses of competitive tennis. 


So, start preparing your road map, and gear up mentally for each match. Success is waiting.

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