How To Plan For Participating in a Tennis Tournament

A casual game played for fun and a carefree attitude makes for a perfect combination; its a different ballgame altogether when you plan to be a competitor in a tennis tournament! A tournament taxes the body (due to hours and hours of practice) as well as the mind (developing the strength to tackle wins and defeats with equal serenity). Here's how you can turn the preparatory stage into a beautiful learning experience:

Never mind the greatness or experience of your opponent, try to ooze self-assurance from every pore of your body! You definitely do not want the game to slip away from your hands because of expensive errors! And no, do not exhibit over-confidence either! If at all you are defeated, let it be because your rival is a better player than you; not because you are a mentally weak person!

How about participating in as many minor competitions as you can, to build up on experience? Think it will help you develop nerves of steel before any big tournament? Yes, definitely! Your calm strength should make your rival worry about facing you!

"Okay, it's my big day tomorrow; so let me relax today!" No way! Your skills deserve that final polish the day before the match! Some over-enthusiastic competitors do not let even the early morning hours on the day of the competition itself go to waste! Whatever you do, do not expend so much energy on practice that you arrive looking tired and jaded on court! And yes, a tournament is not the time to show off new skills; stick to the old!

No last minute preparations to add to the hassle. Your complete outfit (shorts, two pairs of shoes, socks, etc) is to be kept in a safe place so that nothing untoward happens to it during the night! Beware of pets that may decide to use your clothes as playthings! These may seem like minor issues, but they can upset your mental balance and your play because your concentration goes for a toss!

No waking up early to settle your bag; it has to be readied the night before. Imagine searching for things that you need at the last moment, maybe just before you leave the house? You are bound to arrive at the tournament looking frazzled and harried!

Sleep is very important; you are supposed to wake up refreshed so that you can face the day ahead. It is better that you sleep in your bed rather than on the court! Only two to three hours of sleep is a big no-no.

Starving yourself on the day of the tournament will leave you with very little energy to play your game. A hearty breakfast is a must! You are supposed to concentrate on the ball and not your tummy on court. And if the day promises to be long, just carry a few (nutritious, not junk food) snacks with you.

Okay, now you can start the game!