A Tennis Players ‘Survival Guide’

Every tennis player no matter their level must overcome certain adversities during match situations but the key to success is understanding how to handle them. Throughout the course of a match there are a plethora of situations a player can potentially face but here we will address the following scenarios; playing with a lead, playing from behind, serving after a break, returning after a break, serving for a set or match and many more.

High performance tennis players are able to identify the current situation they face in ‘real time’ and adjust their game accordingly. However, following some simple guidelines and being able to adapt both mentally and physically will ensure that you give yourself the best opportunity to win regardless of your experience or level.

1. Playing with a ‘lead’
   Often players will find themselves off to a ‘fast start’ at the beginning of a match or perhaps in the final set but playing with a lead requires several skillsets. Most importantly when playing with a lead you must remain mindful that the opponent will undoubtedly start playing better; that is an almost factual statement because most of us raise our level when we are in ‘trouble’ so it is vital that you remain vigilant and disciplined. It is often during these moments that many players attempt unnecessary shots such as a 2^nd serve ace at 40-0 up or lose focus but remember that the one area that you have full autonomy over is your decision making.
   In this and all of the following scenarios it is the elite level players that are able to momentarily put themselves in their opponents’ shoes and ask ‘what would I want, or do, if I was down 1-3 or 0-40? It is here that discipline and commitment to the gameplan become the overriding ‘mantra’; first serve % should be at a premium when serving and ‘getting’ returns back in play when returning in order to create ‘ball pressure’ should be considered the primary objective. It is in these moments that the middle of the court (deep middle) can become your friend as it not only reduces your chances of making unforced errors but also forces the opponent to make decisions they probably don’t want to make at this time. When playing with the lead DISCIPLINE, very much becomes the ‘order of the day’

2. Playing from ‘behind’
   If you happen to be on the wrong end of a 5-2 deficit or a 15-40 service game the first objective is not to panic. The tennis scoring system was ingeniously invented and implemented in order to make the game more challenging but by simply understanding that each game is basically the 1^st player to obtain ‘4 points’, a 15:40 deficit can simply be reimagined as a 1:3 point score so some basic ‘reframing’ of the situation can immediately help elicit some calmness and perspective on the current predicament you face. When playing from behind it is natural for all of us to become anxious but we must be aware that anxiety is an emotion that is highly associated with future events, not past ones, and so we are still in control of what happens next.
   
   
3. Serving after a ‘break’
   After breaking your opponent’s serve it would appear obvious that you are in the ascendency and things are looking up but remember that the ‘hungry wolf fights the hardest’ and so you must expect and be fully prepared for the opponent to respond with their best tennis yet. It is essential that you begin this service game with high energy and portray a state of confidence, discipline and steadiness as you will almost undoubtedly have to play your best game of the match thus far. The importance of the 1^st two points of the game cannot be understated so make sure that you start with a purpose but don’t change your game plan or style. Beginning this game with body serves is an intelligent way of increasing 1^st serve % whilst simultaneously removing the opportunity for the opponent to have a large ‘cut’ at the ball and potentially connect. Lastly, make sure that you pay attention to momentum and its ‘hidden presence’ because sometimes playing quickly between the points can be beneficial when the opponent is ready to self-destruct or looks flustered whereas on other occasions the order of the day may be to take your time and not rush.
   
   
4. Returning after being ‘broken’
   The traditions of tennis dictate that the server has the advantage during a match but after conceding a break it is vital that you refocus on your game and identity. Remind yourself of how well you return and that the break of serve was a mere blip in a long match and there is no time like the present to re-energize. After being broken it can be helpful to ask yourself some analytical questions; Did I lose the game or did they win it? Were they playing ‘red line’ tennis in order to break me? Do I think that last break they earned was an emerging and future trend or simply a one off?
   Empathy is defined as ‘the ability to understand and share the feelings of another’ so it is important that you now put yourself in the opponent’s shoes as they begin to prepare for the 1^st point of this game and ask yourself ‘what would I really like and really dislike if I was in there shoes now?
   A player that prepares to return serve after just being broken showing no frustration can become an intimidating presence and can leave the opponent wondering what they have to do to ‘break you down’ mentally. Begin the game with a ‘hop’ in your step and project an image of confidence and assuredness.

5. Serving for a set or match
   When serving out a set or a match it is easier said than done to not get ahead of yourself with what could be at stake but unlike in previous scenarios that require a high amount of energy it is often preferable in this situation to find a sense of calm. Players may often find themselves fooled by the aforementioned scoring system in tennis so here can be a good time to make a mental ‘switch’ and remind yourself that this game is the first player to earn 4 points; and this can be further broken down in to ‘groups of 2’ meaning that after the first 2 points of a game you could be 30;0 up, 0;30 down or 15:15 and your goal each time is to ‘split the difference’. This will steadily move you closer and closer
   to the finish line without ever thinking about it. Its ok if they break your serve here and lengthen the match but this scenario must only arise because ‘they won the game’ and not ‘because you lost it’ as this will likely have ramifications on the proceeding events. Expect their best game of the match. They almost certainly won’t go down without a fight.