What you think about yourself is so important in athletics. Zig Ziglar once said “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” How we frame negative situations is key to high- level performance in tennis. There are always situations that are challenging. It’s not the challenges that present themselves that defines us but how we handle those challenges. Expect controversy. Expect cheating. Expect a long match. Expect some unexpected bounces. Expect let cords. Expect your best shot back. Expect the unexpected. If you set your expectations correctly then you will be surprised much less. If you expect then you can accept. Acceptance is the key to performing well under pressure and stress.There are always two sides to every coin. What goes up must come down. There is not good without evil. It’s how you handle life’s downs that creates someone’s character, not the fact that they have been lucky enough not to have any downs. Luck isn’t a strategy. If you keep moving forward in a positive manner, expecting the negatives, re-formatting the negatives into positives, you will achieve more success on the court. 

 

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Your mind is much more powerful than you think it is. Studies show that we only tap into a small percent of our mental potential. Use it as often and as positively as you can to steer you in the right direction. Left unmonitored, your mind can take you into dark, negative places. That’s why after traumatic events there are therapy dogs and doctors to help with the stress. They help you stay positive and put things into perspective. Keeping perspective in a tennis match is key to managing your mind and emotions. Putting too much weight to any one match will put too much pressure, however putting too little may have you not take things seriously enough. The balance of importance is what is key. If you have the right balance then you are more likely to be confident, and confidence helps with your PMA (positive mental attitude).

Ultimately tennis is just a game and any game should be fun. If you are able to put this in perspective it’s a lot easier to remain positive, knowing that win or lose you enjoyed the process.

 

I always welcome feedback at angeloarossetti @ gmail .com.

You can learn more about a couple of tennis GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ that I have been a part of:

FOX News Story
Inspirational Tennis Story: Tennis Begins with Love
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