The Three Things You Can Control On The Tennis Court (And In Life)
In tennis, as in life, there are three things you can control: your attitude, your effort, and your strategy. Sure, there are a million other factors that affect the outcome of any given tennis match – weather, the performance of your opponent, the surface you’re playing on. However, in the long run, it’s your attitude, effort, and strategy that will determine whether or not you come out tops. Here’s how.
Your Attitude
You might not be able to control how well your opponent is playing or whether or not the sun is in your eyes, but you can always control your attitude. No matter what the circumstances are, you have the power to choose how you react to them. And believe me, a positive attitude will take you a lot further than a negative one. Tennis is a mental game as much as it is a physical one, so if you can keep your head in the game and stay positive, you’ll increase your chances of winning significantly.
Your Effort
The second thing you can control on the court (and in life) is your effort level. You might not be able to control how talented your opponent is or how hot the weather is on a given day, but you can always give your 100% effort. If you go into each point trying your hardest and never giving up, even if the odds seem insurmountable, you’ll be surprised at how often you can come out on top. Effort level is something that’s completely within your control, so make sure you’re giving it everything you’ve got.
Your Strategy
Lastly, you can control your strategy. Again, there are a million uncontrollable factors at play in any tennis match – wind direction, opponents’ strengths and weaknesses – but it’s up to you to develop a game plan that takes those factors into account. One of the most important aspects of strategy in tennis is your shot selection. This refers to the specific shots that you choose to hit during the course of the game. You might be tempted to go for broke on every single point, but that's not always the best strategy. Instead, it's important to mix things up (such as using the slice backhand) and keep your opponent guessing.
Of course, even the best-laid plans sometimes fall apart – but that just means it’s time to improvise and come up with a new strategy on the fly. The important thing is that you always have a plan going into each point; without one, it’s far too easy to get lost in the heat of battle.
Remember: in tennis (and in life), there are three things you can control – your attitude, your effort level, and your strategy. If you keep these things in mind next time you step onto the court (or face any other challenging situation), I guarantee you’ll come out on top more often than not.
"The Philosophical Tennis Player: Thinking Your Way To Winning" offers a unique perspective on the sport of tennis. This book provides guidance inspired by philosophy to help you rethink the game and reach your peak performance. The author breathes life into abstract philosophical concepts, transforming them into tangible strategies everyone can use to become a successful player. Readers will gain insight into the psychological aspects of tennis and recognise the timeless values that extend beyond the confines of the court.
About The Author
Darren Teo is the founder of Play! Tennis, the most Google reviewed tennis academy in Singapore. His passion for making tennis accessible to everyone regardless of their age, experience and ability continues to drive his work at the school. He is a thought leader in LinkedIn with 14,000 followers.