Tennis Psychology - Working on Your Mind to Improve Your Game

Do you love to play tennis, but seem to have trouble in certain situations? For example, do you do well against some opponents but not others, even though their skills don't seem that different? Or maybe there are times when you just can't seem to concentrate, missing the easiest of shots and losing track of what you or your opponent are doing.

You can try practicing harder or more frequently, changing equipment, or changing partners (if you're playing doubles). If those don't work, maybe you need to apply a little psychology.

Psychology has more to do with the mind than the body, but in this case you'll be applying the principle that what happens in the mind affects the body. You can try to figure out what's going on in your opponent's mind, but it's probably easier - and may be more effective - to work on your own mind. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Pay attention to what you're thinking about. Are you analyzing what's just happened instead of reacting to what's happening now or preparing for what could happen next? Are you judging your opponent - or yourself? Are you expecting to lose this game (for whatever reason)? Or is there something not related to tennis that you can't seem to get off your mind, but that's keeping you from focusing on your game? These are just a few examples of what could be going on in your mind. But if you can identify your thoughts you may be able to change them.

If you have a tendency to "think too much try using visualization or "mind-emptying" techniques. These can help you focus more on what you're doing than on what you're thinking.

If you find yourself always on the defense try changing your strategy. If you play more offensively your opponent will be forced to play more defensively. They'll spend so much time just reacting to what you're doing that they won't have time to come up with their own strategies.

Even if you're worried about losing, don't show it. It could change how your opponent plays and they may actually beat you, when you might have had a chance to win otherwise. Try to look confident even if you really aren't. It may unnerve your opponent, and besides, acting confident may eventually make you feel confident.

Don't take risks when you're winning; do take them when you're losing. Taking chances when you're not doing well won't really hurt anything, and it might turn your game around. Remember the old adage "Always change a losing game. Never change a winning game."

You won't be able to control every aspect of your match. For example, you can't make the weather warmer or cooler, you can't make it cloudier or sunnier, and you can't do anything about background noise. It may be hard, but the best thing to do is to try to "let go" of everything you can't change and focus on what you can - how you play, for example.

And finally, remember that how you play depends on your opponent - not you. Everyone has some area they're weak in; study your opponent and learn theirs. Then change your strategy to take advantage of those weaknesses.

There's a lot more to tennis psychology that what's covered here; in fact, entire books have been written on the subject. If you'd like to do more research in this area check out the links at the end of this article. In the meantime, try a few of these tips. They may help you develop that winning attitude - which in turn will help you win more games.