The Federer File - Mental Strength
“My consistency is based on my mental strength. It is basically impossible to break down my mental part these days. I think that is very important because tennis is quite a mental sport.” Roger Federer 2005. Mental strength is so often the bridge between potential and performance. It is certainly the case with the great Federer...read more on Federer's Mental Strength >>>
Psyched Up Drills for Tennis [Part 6] – Self Control and Concentration
Bjorn Borg and more recently Roger Federer have been admired for their on court self control. It is in this calm state that they produced their sublime tennis strokes – so this controlled and concentrated mentality is ideal for optimum tennis performance.Click here to read the full article on Self Control and Concentration >>>
Psyched Up Drills for Tennis [Part 5] – Handling Pressure and Adversity
“We all choke. That’s all right. We’re not machines. What you have to learn is accept the fact and not panic. It’s the panic that loses you the match, not the nerves.” Rod Laver 1988
Pressure and adversity comes in many forms on the tennis court:-
- Bad line call
- Fear of failure during a big match
- Windy or extremely hot conditions
- Unfamiliar court surfaces
- A big or noisy crowd
- Anxiety during a close match
Are amongst the experiences a player will confront during a tennis match. Click here to read the full tennis article on Handling Pressure >>>
Psyched up Drills for Tennis [Part 4] – Momentum
Players must understand that there is a skill to getting on top of your opponent, just as much as there is a skill in turning a match. That skill is understanding momentum. Momentum is the tempo of; or control that a player has in a match. Momentum is evident in both individual and team sports and can turn on the seemingly most insignificant events.
Click here to read this tennis article on Momentum....more>>
Psyched up Drills for Tennis [Part 3] - Confidence
“It’s like love. When you look too hard, you don’t find. When you let it come naturally, it happens.”
Marat Safin talks about confidence (2002)
Confidence is associated with peak performance in every sport, it is that intangible quality all athletes seek. It gives them the self belief to go for their shots and play to their best in all situations. The confident player is usually fearless, optimistic, relaxed and focused; projecting a powerful, positive presence on court...read more about tennis and confidence >>
Psyched up Drills for Tennis [Part 2] – Determination
“I play each point as if my life depends on it.”
Rafael Nadal 2005
The ability to chase every ball, play every match (and point) with fierce resolve and compete in any circumstances against any opponent characterise the determined tennis player like Nadal. This article offers some on court drills to improve a players determination...read more about tennis and determination >>
Psyched up Drills for Tennis [Part 1]
“My consistency is based on my mental strength. It is basically impossible to break down my mental part these days. I think that is very important, because tennis is quite a mental sport.” Roger Federer 2005
Like Roger Federer most coaches agree that sport is 50 – 90% mental. At the elite level sport is considered as much as 95% mental. The ability to concentrate, motivate, relax, handle nerves, visualise success and play with confidence are all crucial mental aspects of sporting performance...more>>