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by Jeff Greenwald, M.A., MFT.
“I’m more relaxed now.” I’m finally enjoying the
game.” I’m smarter now.” I feel the ball better than I ever have.
I know what my strengths are and don’t beat myself up when I miss.”
“I am convinced that my best day today would beat me on my best
day when I was playing full time.” These are all responses from
current ranked adult players answering my question: “Are you a better
player now than when you were young?” What pearls of wisdom can
all competitive players draw from the above responses?
There are a number of reasons why players seem
to perform better over time.
More Relaxed
Playing tennis with loose muscles is perhaps the
single most important aspect of peak performance. With age, players
develop a wider perspective around winning and losing. Results,
though still important, don’t carry the same threat as they once
did. Therefore, players begin playing more relaxed and tend to go
for more. Based on my observations in tournament play, players seem
to develop more creativity in their games. There is more of a willingness
to take risks and miss. This creativeness and looseness translates
into a highly enjoyable experience and is reinforced as players
begin to also play better as a result of this mental approach.
Ranked juniors and league players could learn a
great deal from this wider perspective and relaxed approach. Of
course, this is “easier said than done”, as one of my young clients
constantly reminds me. But this can be learned and simply needs
to be trained in practice and competition. The benefits are tremendous.
My suggestion is for players to begin visualizing
tight matches during practice and playing specific game scores in
which they often have difficulty. For example, a player who tends
to get ahead in the game (30-0) and often lets it slip away should
practice playing from 30-0 and closing the game out. Similarly,
you can also play games in which the first player to reach 30 first
in a game wins.
Research conducted by the USTA shows that players
who reach 30 first in a game win the game 84% of the time. Basically,
build in pressure as best you can and commit to playing loose regardless
of the situation. Force yourself to go for your shots, within your
range, no matter what. A more relaxed approach, with loose muscles
and a wider perspective on winning and losing may give your game
the shot in the arm it needs.
The Process
If you’ve read some of my other articles you may
begin recognizing my philosophy of peak performance. Playing well
consistently requires an absolute absorption in the process. The
qualities that comprise the zone—focus, fun, relaxation, low arousal,
positive energy, etc. cannot happen without a complete focus of
the mind and body in the process.
Over time, players learn to cherish the experience
of competition as much or more than the result. They appreciate
their skills and relish their opportunity to still compete at a
high level. This is quite a contrast to many of the young junior
and recreational players I have personally worked with and observed
over the years.
Many of these younger players need to begin translating
this concept of “process”—that is, focusing on performance (shots,
mind-set, fun) and letting the results happen. This shift is essential.
It’s not that older, more experienced players don’t want to win.
This is not the case. Often, they want to win badly. But this focus
and line of thinking is superseded by the joy of competing.
Developing a Wider Perspective
We hear about this concept constantly. “I just
put it into perspective.” “It helped me gain some perspective.”
“He just has no perspective.” What is perspective?
Essentially, perspective is a way of thinking about
something. For example, at 5-5 in the third set do you see this
as fun, as an opportunity? Or is it a threat and scary because you
might lose? It is your choice. And this is the point of this article.
We choose how we want to think. We decide what our perspective is
going to be in any given situation. As I mentioned earlier, more
experienced players who have some years behind them finally recognize
the power of this choice. Players begin to realize they can control
how they think and what they feel. Players develop a greater sense
of control as a result of this emotional development. Control leads
to greater feelings of confidence and ability to focus. This translates
into more creativity on the court, shot selection, depth and pace
in many instances.
Sometimes we have to generate perspective even
when it’s not there. In other words, using perspective becomes a
tool. It doesn’t need to be something that simply develops over
time.
When it’s windy and we’re down 5-2 in the third,
we realize it’s just a match, life does go on so why not go for
broke and have some fun? So we let go and begin playing better than
ever. Suddenly, we turn a nightmare day of tennis around simply
because we recognize how much pressure we have been putting on ourselves.
We relax, let go and take some risks. 5-2 becomes 5-4 and suddenly
your opponent begins to feel the heat. The tables turn. Momentum
shifts. It happens quicker than you think. A little perspective
can go a long way in this game, particularly when it loosens you
up.
Begin feeling what it is like when you are truly
relaxed and focused on the court. Alternate between various tension
levels when you are on the court to feel the difference between
tension and relaxation. Develop some more awareness. Cultivate more
perspective at difficult times in a match and place the emphasis
on getting absorbed in the process, one point and shot at a time.
“It’s a cliché,” said Todd Martin, but it works.
Also, begin appreciating your physical gifts and
the opportunity to compete and improve. Every day is a new opportunity
to hone your game. Stay loose, take risks, and have fun. Learn from
those who have gone ahead of you. Why reinvent the wheel? This will
all translate into better performances.
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